Ellendale Area’s Angie Knutson owns studio in Owatonna
By RACHAEL JAEGER
Staff Writer
Self-taught family photographer Angie Knutson of rural Ellendale owns a photography studio out of Owatonna. She’s enthusiastic about her work, especially when her sessions involve babies or children.
Knutson took every art class in high school and later acquired an Associate of Arts degree at Riverland Community College in Albert Lea. She described being “super stoked” when she was able to invest in her first professional-grade camera.
Soon afterward, in 2009, Knutson’s oldest sister had her first daughter, providing the inspiration for her first photography experience. Those first pictures snowballed as Knutson received requests from her own friends and friends of her sister. Fifteen years later, the passion and energy have never stopped.
She revealed that the majority of her clientele is from the NRHEG area. “It’s interesting to work with people I've known since kindergarten,” Knutson said. She’s also been pleased with how social media has broadened her connections, helping expand her customer base as far as the Metro.
Knutson said something important she learned about working with children is recognizing their need for personal space. She has picked up on when those toddlers have their “stranger, danger” moments up to the age of about 24 months. She has discovered the process usually goes more smoothly when she lets her young subjects explore space on their own. Once they start to play, Knutson described being able to take “phenomenal photos that express children's multiple character traits in changing moments.”
She observed that it usually takes anywhere from ten to fifteen minutes until a child “loosens up.”
When she has photo sessions with newborns, she experiences a whole different kind of joy.
“I love working with babies because they will always show how they feel in that moment every single time,” Knutson observed. “They’ll give you the big, gummy smiles and the funny, pouty faces. They’re going to do all the funny things.”
At the same time, Knutson follows a certain structure.
“I love to start with ‘the grandma shot’ where everyone is looking and smiling because, as hard as it is to get that type of picture, everyone usually wants at least one,” Knutson said. From there, she transitions to individual or detail-based portraits. She does her best to vary the shots among the family members, so everyone gets their moment.
But she especially likes to focus on the new mom with her baby.
“It’s often one of the few times they do get pictures with their kids,” Knutson explains, “so I really like to give them that moment.”
On the flip side, she has discovered that dads usually shy away from pictures. But usually, after they see the happiness between the mom and baby, they come around. Then comes Knutson’s favorite part – when she can “get all artsy” with her photos.
“With photography, it’s really important to be able to be comfortable with who is taking your picture,” Knutson said. “If you can be relaxed in the presence of someone while getting your photo taken, you are always going be able to have natural expressions, laugh, and enjoy the time with your family.”
As a result, clients – especially babies – reveal different personalities in different moments, depending on who they’re with and how that person is making them feel. Knutson noted that the personal quirks of babies emerge when they’re comfortable with who is near them.
“If I can get a kid to take a toy out of my hand, I can usually get them to do what I want them to do," she said of catching certain types of expressions.
But it’s not just babies who feel that way.
“I think that’s something that people don’t typically consider,” she added, then mentioned that because she uses her camera so often, even she forgets it can be awkward to be in front of a lens.
For instance, last year, she was attending church with her family and they asked her if she would photograph congregation members. The congregational members expressed their uneasiness about having their picture taken.
At the same time, she takes confidence in her work because of what she accomplishes. It’s one reason why she appreciates candid shots more than posed ones.
“Someday these moments will be forgotten and I love that I have given my clients pictures that are like heirlooms,” Knutson explains. “It’s so fun to have those little details documented – like the funny things you would never think to capture on camera.”
While Knutson has made past mistakes during her different phases of learning, she expressed how fortunate she feels to have a community of photographers who support her. She has also offered her support when other photographers needed it.
As far as her photography sessions go, Knutson recognizes the value in being mindful of sustainability. Instead of buying additional props, she likes to continue using what she’s used for the last fifteen years in her business.
“I don’t like to collect things,” she said. “So one of the biggest things for me in my photography is my minimalism. The way I shoot is more forward. I like subject-driven material rather than environment-focused.”
Knutson’s said her goal is to capture emotions and moments in such a way that, 20 years from now, her clients will be able to look back and revisit that time.
She mentioned times when she wondered whether she should continue her business. Rather than quitting, she said, she gave thought to her areas of strength and weakness, then honed her skills in areas that needed it and worked to advance her skills and her art overall.
“I feel like I have a gift documenting in such an artistic way that’s still really real,” Knutson added.