Kota Rae Photography

Kota Rae Photography Hi, I am Dakota! Weddings + Lifestyle | Capturing the moments that matter most✨
MN Based — available worldwide💛

Opening up some mini session availability in June! Please use the link below to book! https://kotaraephotography.pixiese...
06/04/2026

Opening up some mini session availability in June! Please use the link below to book! https://kotaraephotography.pixieset.com/booking/june-minis

June Mini Sessions on June 14th!
30 Minutes
15+ Photos
Granite Falls, MN

Great for families (up to 6 people), engaged couples, maternity sessions or quick milestone shots of a kiddo!

As a small business owner myself, I know how much heart goes into building a business.A branding session is more than ju...
06/04/2026

As a small business owner myself, I know how much heart goes into building a business.

A branding session is more than just updated photos—it's a chance to showcase the people, passion, and purpose behind your brand. Professional branding images help create trust, tell your story, and give potential clients a genuine connection to the person behind the business.

Your brand deserves photos that reflect the hard work you've put into it.

Looking to update your brand photos? Let's connect!

At Katie and Tate's engagement session, Katie said something simple that has stuck with me ever since:"I trust you."As a...
06/03/2026

At Katie and Tate's engagement session, Katie said something simple that has stuck with me ever since:

"I trust you."

As a photographer, there may not be a bigger compliment than that.

When you're choosing a photographer, it's about so much more than loving their work. It's about finding someone you feel comfortable with. Someone you trust to guide you, help you feel at ease, and capture your story authentically.

The best photos happen when you're not worried about posing perfectly or what to do next. They happen when you're relaxed, present, and simply enjoying the moment.

Whether it's your wedding day, a senior session, or family photos, trust makes all the difference. It allows you to be yourself, and that's when the most meaningful images are created.

At the end of the day, you're not just hiring someone to take photos... you're trusting them with memories you'll look back on for years to come. And that's something I'll never take for granted. ❤️

When you picture your wedding day, chances are you're imagining the ceremony, the first kiss, or dancing the night away ...
06/02/2026

When you picture your wedding day, chances are you're imagining the ceremony, the first kiss, or dancing the night away with your favorite people.

But one of the most emotional parts of the entire day happens before any of that.

It's getting ready.

Nobody tells you that the morning of your wedding doesn't feel like a photoshoot. It feels like a collection of little moments that suddenly become memories.

It's your bridesmaids laughing while they help zip your dress.

It's your mom quietly watching from across the room, taking it all in.

It's the nerves, the excitement, the anticipation of knowing that in just a few short hours, everything is about to change.

Nobody tells you how quickly that morning goes by.

Months of planning lead up to these few hours, and before you know it, someone is saying, "It's time to go."

That's why I always encourage couples to build extra time into their getting-ready schedule. Not because I need more time for photos, but because you deserve the chance to slow down and experience it.

The most meaningful photos often happen when nobody is paying attention to the camera.

The hug from your maid of honor.

Your dad seeing you dressed as a bride for the first time.

Your mom fastening a necklace she bought for you years ago.

Your grandmother helping smooth your veil.

The tears. The laughter. The deep breath before everything begins.

Nobody tells you that the room matters, too.

Natural light, a little extra space, and a clutter-free corner can make a huge difference in your photos. But more importantly, it creates a calm environment where you can actually enjoy the morning instead of feeling rushed.

And here's something I wish every bride knew:

You don't have to spend the morning stressed.

The details will come together.

The timeline will work itself out.

The flowers don't have to be perfect.

The weather doesn't have to cooperate.

What you'll remember most is how you felt.

The people surrounding you.

The excitement in the room.

The realization that you're about to marry the person you love.

Years from now, when you look back at your wedding gallery, you'll see more than hair appointments, makeup brushes, and dresses hanging in windows.

You'll see the beginning of one of the most important days of your life.

And you'll be grateful you took the time to remember it.

Some of my favorite senior photos are the ones that go beyond the standard poses and showcase what a senior truly loves....
06/02/2026

Some of my favorite senior photos are the ones that go beyond the standard poses and showcase what a senior truly loves.

Around here, that might mean hopping in the tractor, bringing a baseball glove, heading out to the family farm, grabbing a fishing rod, or including hunting gear that's been a big part of their life growing up.

These hobbies are not just props... but a part of the story.

Senior photos should reflect who you are in this season of life, and the things you've spent countless hours doing deserve to be remembered right alongside the cap and gown. That's what makes your session unique, personal, and meaningful for years to come.

When couples are planning their wedding, they often think about wedding photos as something they'll enjoy right after th...
06/02/2026

When couples are planning their wedding, they often think about wedding photos as something they'll enjoy right after the wedding. They're excited to see how everything looked, relive the day, and share images with friends and family.

What nobody tells you is that wedding photos become more meaningful with time.

Right now, you're probably focused on the details. The dress. The flowers. The decorations. The color palette you've spent months choosing. And those things absolutely deserve to be remembered.

But years from now, those won't be the first things you notice.

You'll notice the way your dad looked at you before walking you down the aisle.

You'll notice your mom wiping away tears when she thought nobody was watching.

You'll notice the grandparents who sat in the front row.

The friends who danced all night.

The little flower girl who is now heading off to college.

The tiny moments that felt ordinary at the time but somehow became priceless.

Nobody tells you that some of your favorite photos won't be the perfectly posed portraits. They'll be the blurry laugh during a speech. The hug from a loved one. The stolen glance across the dance floor. The candid moments that bring you right back to how the day felt.

Nobody tells you that your wedding photos eventually become family history.

One day your children will look through them. They'll point to faces and ask questions. They'll want to know who was there, what the day was like, and what your love story looked like in the beginning.

And one day, those photos may be all that's left of some of the people who celebrated beside you.

That's why wedding photography has never been about creating perfect images.

It's about preserving people.

It's about preserving relationships.

It's about preserving moments that seem small today but become part of your family's story forever.

Because long after the cake is gone, the flowers have wilted, and the music has faded, your photographs remain.

And year after year, they become more valuable than you ever imagined.

One of my favorite things about family sessions is when they're done somewhere that means something.For the Richter fami...
06/02/2026

One of my favorite things about family sessions is when they're done somewhere that means something.

For the Richter family, that was their family baseball field. Watching the boys out on the field made for some of my favorite images from this session.

It's easy to put off family pictures because life is busy, but these years go by so fast. The kids won't always be this little. The traditions, the places, and the everyday moments that feel normal right now are the things you'll want to remember years from now.

That's why I love capturing families as they are in this season of life. Telling the story of life as you know it.

Thank you, Richter family, for letting me spend the evening with you and document a small piece of your story. I hope these photos bring you right back to these days every time you look at them. ⚾️❤️

Dreamy studio maternity session.I am still here, just really busy with life. I promise I will do better at showcasing th...
05/31/2026

Dreamy studio maternity session.

I am still here, just really busy with life. I promise I will do better at showcasing the work I've done in the past year. 🥰

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Boyd, MN

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