Captured by Kortney

12/18/2025

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Hi friends!! I wanted to share with you that after a lot of thought, I’m going to be deleting my Facebook photography page at the end of the month. I’ve thought of maybe just making it private instead, but either way, the “publicity” of the page will be going away.

Why you may ask? I started this page a couple years ago to allow people to see and share some special moments and to show friends my learnings through the process. I originally was sharing on my personal page, but wanted a page soley for the purpose of sharing photography. With that, this page is public allowing anyone to view and share the contents. This has worked well for many as I keep my personal page private, sharing was not allowed. As I have some career role/responsibility changes and the slight scariness of the world of social media, I have decided I do not want a public page anymore.

What does this mean? I will still take local photography requests!! Yay! I just won’t be sharing previews publicly through this page. Previews can be shared by the people if they so desire 🙂.

Thank you for following me these years and the support you’ve shown!! ❤️

10/28/2025

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Deming family 2025!

Wow wow wow! THREE years of capturing family pictures for this beautiful family! I could not be more blessed! It is fun seeing the kids remember me and warm up quickly during the session. It is so easy to capture those genuine moments when you can feel the closeness and love for eachother from a mile away.

Also, I am so thankful for the great help during this session with my assistant (Hazel) 😂. She comes with me for many sessions but climbing on the rocks and walking the hills was not for the weak when you are doing it with a toddler. Everyone was keeping her occupied and watching out for our safety. How did I get so lucky?

Thank you Deming Family for another year of fun and another chance of capturing your family ❤️

Model(s): Deming Family
Location: Taylors Falls - Evening
Camera: Nikon D780
Lens: Nikon 50 mm f/1.8

10/12/2025

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Saturdays are for MJCollins Photography walk-in sessions! Today we did a little fall photoshoot. 🍂🍁

I always get told how Hazel has the best facial expressions and I must say, I agree! She gave us her goofy self today while taking pictures. She also only gave me about a solid 2 minutes of quality picture time. The life of a toddler…

Melissa is always so great with helping us coordinate, especially now that Hazel is getting older. You should see all my “bloopers” of Hazel where Melissa is trying to grab her attention, set her on stools, play with leaves, etc. It’s wild. We LOVE our time with Melissa at the studio. Hazel also decided she wasn’t going to go home with mom and was going to stay with Melissa instead. I didn’t think I was going to be chopped liver this early in motherhood 🤣

Model(s): Hazel
Location: MJ Collin’s Photography Studio - afternoon
Camera: Nikon D780
Lens: Nikon 35 mm f/1.8

09/27/2025

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When editing, I create albums with client’s name and what the general occassion is. Fun part of that, I get to see recurring friends like Randi and Sam. From “Randi and Sam 2023” to “Randi and Sam ENGAGEMENT 2025”, I am forever so thankful when people believe in my work and continue to allow me into special moments of their lives.

A HUGE congratulations to two of THE absolute best people in the world. The people who care with all their hearts, give everything while asking for nothing, and would be right by your side the moment you even hinted any form of need. Cheers to a lifetime of happiness and love…even when it’s awkwad showing it in front of the camera 😉. I’m so excited for you both!

Model(s): Randi and Sam
Location: Stacy - morning
Camera: Nikon D780
Lens: Nikon 85 mm f/1.4

08/15/2025

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Senior sessions are in full force! The new era of soon-to-be graduates are approaching and filling their hearts and souls with post-graduation goals and ambitions! HopeLynn is one of them❤️. Ready to tackle the beauty industry as a cosmetologist! But, like her mom said, “you need to get through the senior year first!”. I think mom would like to slow down time a little for her baby girl but HopeLynn is full speed ahead!

HopeLynn was great to work with! BEAUTIFUL also! Makes my job so easy! I will never get over how seeing the comfort unfold in the Senior as the session progresses. What starts are nervous butterflies ends with bold confidence and I am here for it!

Here’s to you HopeLynn and a year of endless possibIlities! Congratulations on your senior year, I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for you!

Model(s): HopeLynn
Location: Taylors Falls & North Branch - evening
Camera: Nikon D780
Lens: Nikon 85 mm f/1.4

08/11/2025

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Summer loving, had me a blast!!! Boy oh boy are we loving the summer! Especially a beach made of comfy blankets and AC 🤣. We love the MJCollins Photography walk in sessions! The smiles are big, the laughs are warming, and the company is fulfilling! Hazel has made a new friend and didn’t want to leave the studio. She was having so much fun looking through Melissa‘s work in her printed books. Melissa also has a way with the kiddos. The pinwheel was a hit! As always, forever thankful for an unexpected friend that we get to share the love of photography with! ❤️

Model(s): Hazel
Location: MJCollins Studio walk-in Saturday session
Camera: Nikon 780
Lens: Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8

08/11/2025

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Some of my biggest supporters since the beginning! It’s hard to put into words how special it feels to be asked to capture pictures of the same family on multiple occasions. I still get the little butterflies before I take pictures, but when I see the familiar faces and get to share the excitement in the fun pictures, it turns those butterflies into a huge loving warmth! Thanks for always trusting and believing in me! I am so honored!

Model(s): Hinks Family
Location: Wyoming park - afternoon
Camera: Nikon 780
Lens: Nikkor 85 mm f/1.4

06/29/2025

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One day they are learning to crawl, the next they are crawling under the vehicle for some fixing 😉

Big girl Hazel at our favorite, MJCollins Photography studio! We love seeing Melissa! Hazel has become so comfortable there she lets Melissa carry her around 🥰

We got some of the greatest smiles from Hazel today! She thought it was so much fun playing in the “garage” with all the tools!

Thank you always for the space, friendship, and help!!

Model(s): Hazel
Location: MJCollins Studio walk-in Saturday session
Camera: Nikon 780
Lens: Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8

06/17/2025

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ONE YEAR OLD!!!

Amelia was the sweetest and a ham during all the pictures! She became my buddy pretty quickly...I can already see her future of photography (haha). Certain events and photography sessions are so special - this happens to be one of them. A FIRST birthday for the perfect little girl!

When Rhiannon reached out to me about taking one year pictures for their daughter, I was so honored! What originally was planned as an outdoor session quickly turned to an indoor session given all the rain happening and predicted in the forecast. I. WAS. SO. NERVOUS. I made the decision last year/the beginning of this year to step away from my indoor photography sessions as they were causing more anxiety and stress for me than necessary considering this is just a little side hobby. But, given the healthcare schedules of working moms along with a full forecast of rain, we gave the indoor session a go. Thankfully, we were given a tiny window for some outdoor pictures! I am not an expert at indoor photography and will loudly state I do a lot of editing after the fact. Trying to get all the colors to work with cool lighting and warm lighting versus natural light...makes my head spin. But, I try my hardest! Everyone has an Achilles heel!

Thanks to Joe, Rhiannon, and Amelia for taking a chance on me even out of my comfort zone!

Model(s): Joe, Rhiannon, Amelia
Location: In home session - afternoon
Camera: Nikon 780
Lens: Nikkor 50 mm f/1.8

04/20/2025

03/30/2025

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These are quickly stealing a permanent spot in my heart as some of my favorite pictures EVER! To make them even more special, this little yellow cardigan was Hazel’s Dad’s when he was a baby!

We LOVE MJCollins Photography Studio sessions! Thank you endlessly for the opportunities to create the most perfect pictures! My cup is overflowing 💛

Model(s): Hazel
Location: MJCollins Photography
Camera: Nikon 780
Lens: Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8

03/26/2025

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Auntie’s new boy 🥰😍 so cute!! We did some newborn pictures of Axel recently and he did great! The lighting was dreamy, he cooperated wonderfully, and I got to spend some time with the little guy. Does it really get any better? Axel’s big brother, C**t, kept saying “Axel Picture” and was a fantastic big brother helping auntie!

Taking pictures for family and friends just hits a little different because you get to capture some of the most special people in your world and cherish those images forever!

Model(s): Axel
Location: In-home morning
Camera: Nikon 780
Lens: Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8