About Me

I'm Jordana, the photographer and owner of Jordanalisa Photography, an award-winning maternity, newborn, milestone, cake smash and fine art portrait photography studio in Burnsville, Minnesota, serving families throughout Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the Twin Cities area.

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I am a licensed and insured professional photographer specializing  in maternity photography, newborn photography, milestone photography, cake smash photography and fine art portraits. My goal is to create photographs that feel both beautiful and timeless - portraits that are carefully posed and styled, while still preserving the emotion and personality of the people I work with. 

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I grew up in the Twin Cities and opened my Burnsville photography studio in 2021 after spending 15 years as a stay-at-home mom, foster mom (human and dog) and nonprofit volunteer. When the COVID-19 pandemic brought our life to a standstill, I decided it was time to invest seriously in my photography business and create the kind of magical portrait experience I had always envisioned providing for families all over Minnesota. 

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Today, I'm so privileged to combine my love of art, photography and working with incredible families into a full time studio business. 

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My Photography Style

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My approach to photography has been largely self-taught, shaped by years of photographing animals, children, and studying the work of other photographers from both sides of the lens.  I continually invest in my education as a photographer, because there is absolutely ALWAYS something new to learn. 

I'm especially drawn to the beauty and drama of classical fine art portraiture. Artists such as John Singer Sargent, John William Waterhouse and William-Adolphe Bouguereau have strongly influenced my approach to posing, composition, lighting, color and styling. 

This influence is especially evident in my maternity, motherhood and fine art portrait sessions, where I love creating images that feel elegant, feminine, dramatic and timeless. 

 

While inspiration comes from many places, I believe a photographer should never stop learning. I regularly attend photography workshops, participate in professional education groups and study new approaches to everything from newborn safety to posing to lighting, styling, retouching and in-camera techniques. 

Over the years I have had the opportunity to learn from and work with many respected photographers and educators including Amy McDaniel from DewDrops  Photography, Krystal Sandefur, Hello Little Photography, Kelly Brown, Ana Brandt, Natasha Ince, Paulina Duczman, and Jessica Guzman of Jessica G. Photography to name just a few. 

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Newborn Photography Safety

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Safety is the most important part of my newborn photography practice.

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There is currently no single official certification that makes someone a 'certified newborn photographer'. Instead, newborn photographers can pursue specialized education in newborn physiology, handling and safe posing. 

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I have completed the APNPI Online Safety Course, which focuses specifically on newborn physiology and safety. I continue to seek education that helps me safely photograph newborns and families in the studio. 

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My approach to newborn photography prioritizes the baby's comfort and safety throughout the session. Beautiful images should NEVER come at the expense of a newborn's well-being. 

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Awards & Recognition 

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My work has received recognition in the newborn, maternity, child photography and pet photography categories including:

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AFNS Prime Award

International Child Photographer (ICP) Award

Recognition as a Top Photographer by Expertise.com for four consecutive years

I'm honored by these and many other awards over the years, but I'm even more grateful for the families who trust me to photograph some of the most meaningful moments of their lives. 

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Giving Back

Photography has given me many opportunities to give back to my community, and that is something I care very deeply about. 

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I volunteer my time and photography skills with several local animal rescues, and donate multiple photography sessions each month to families who might not otherwise have access to professional portraits, including children and families involved in the foster care system.

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I am also an active volunteer photographer and digital retouch artist for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, an organization that provides remembrance photography to families experiencing the loss of a baby before or shortly after birth. 

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Being able to use my photography skills to serve families during both joyful and incredibly difficult moments is one of the most meaningful parts of what I do. 

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A little more about me

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Outside of photography, I am a wife and mom. I have been married to my husband for more than 20 years, and we have two children - one high schooler and one college student. I am a Frenchie Mom for life, and also have a super cool Sphynx cat that runs the house. 

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When I'm not photographing in the studio, you can usually find me outside with a camera capturing snippets of nature, baking, or reading. 

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What I Specialize In

• Luxury maternity photography

• Studio newborn photography

• Milestone and first-birthday photography

• Cake smash photography

• Motherhood and women's portraiture

• Fine art portrait photography

• Couture maternity wardrobe

• Professional hair and makeup for maternity sessions

• Inclusive photography for families with diverse skin tones and multicultural backgrounds​​

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Want more information about me and how I operate? You can check out my Frequently Asked Questions here. 

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