Hey, it's Makayla. I'm a Duluth, MN and Saint Paul, MN based wedding photojournalist.
I can see the magic in everything.
In my decade of photographing weddings, I've always come back to this: the people and the relationships are the real story. And that story is best told by letting it tell itself.
This blog is full of the stories I've seen, the things I've learned along the way, and my best advice for creating a marriage celebration driven by being present and true to you.
Pour a coffee, a matcha, a tea. Stay awhile. Linger.
M
It's so great
to meet you.
Welcome to the stories.
WHO IS THE AUTUMN DOG STUDIO?
THOUGHT-PROVOKING CONVERSATION STARTERS
Wedding photography isn’t the same stiff, posed experience it used to be. In the 60’s and 70’s, wedding photography had this incredible feeling of nostalgia, intimacy, and reality. In the most recent years, social media and the internet age has shifted the expectations of wedding images from meaningful candids to perfectly composed images worthy of […]
November 2, 2025
CANDID WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER | DULUTH WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER | INTIMATE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY Imagine a serene shore of Lake Superior, the gentle lapping of waves against the rocks, the sun slowly setting in the distance, casting a warm glow over the water. Now picture a couple, Anna and Siri, standing on a log with their closest family […]
October 12, 2024
ROLLINS MANSION WEDDING | DES MOINES IA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER | FILM WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY | DOCUMENTARY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER I’m so lucky to be invited into Paige and Michael’s inner circle. Though they live in Chicago (check out their Chicago skyline engagement session!) they hosted their wedding at the beautiful Rollins Mansion in Des Moines, IA. They […]
September 21, 2024
MINNEAPOLIS WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER | DOCUMENTARY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER | CANDID WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER As I stepped into the beautifully adorned venue, my heart skipped a beat. The Lowlands was exquisitely transformed into an elegant and upscale candlelit haven. The soft glow of the flickering candles danced against the white walls, creating an enchanting atmosphere. I believe that […]
January 2, 2024
In a world where our lives are filled with endless distractions and fleeting experiences, it’s the intentional moments that truly matter. It’s those stolen glances between loved ones, the feelings that escape from the depths of our souls, and the stories seamlessly woven into the fabric of our lives that hold the most significance. As […]
September 23, 2023
LA POINTE EVENTS WEDDING | MINNEAPOLIS WEDDING VENUE | CANDID WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER Ann Marie and Jaques threw a rager. They wanted their images to look and feel like them. To be representative of their people and their experience, without having to pose or do all the stiff “wedding” things. They wanted images that looked and […]
December 17, 2022
PARK POINT BEACH HOUSE WEDDING | DULUTH MN WEDDING VENUE | CANDID WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER DULUTH MN Vanessa and Matt cared only about getting married and having their people. They hosted a two day affair. Day one? Get married, have dinner and toasts. Day two? Food trucks and party. I was lucky enough to be invited […]
December 10, 2022
It doesn’t take much training to take a good photograph. But the key to storytelling doesn’t just lie in documenting what happened. What came first? What’s within the frame? How can you tell the story of what happened in a more compelling, jaw-dropping type of way? Learning to work with composition techniques for wedding photography […]
April 15, 2022
NORTHERN MINNESOTA ELOPEMENT AIRBNB, UNIQUE ELOPEMENT LOCATIONS NORTHERN MINNESOTA It’s commonplace now to have elopements and small weddings. This once brushed aside ideas have become embraced over the last 10 years. But it isn’t always easy to find a location to house the people that are joining you. While you can elope in a state […]
February 21, 2021
When I do yearly recaps, they usually end up being stories of what I experienced that year. Also how I grew, what I wish was different or how I’m preparing for next year. They rarely actually involve images. Rather than take that personal approach this year, I feel that 2020 needs a recap. A recap […]
February 13, 2021
Are you looking into style of photography for your wedding, and stumbled upon photojournalism? Welcome to the world of intimate, meaningful, candid images of your event. Documentary wedding photography is all about being unobtrusive and honest with your approach. We’re talking no posing, no interrupting, no altering the wedding of the couple you’re photographing. Just […]
February 7, 2021
QUIET ELOPEMENTS, LOW KEY ELOPEMENT We all love the beauty and grandeur of adventure elopements, but what if that’s not right for you? Maybe you’re looking for more of a low key elopement, something more intimate with less grandeur. Let’s meet the quiet elopement. The quiet elopement is the homebody version of the adventure elopement […]
January 24, 2021
Throwing a wedding can be overwhelming, both in the planning process, but also the day-of. You may be focused on how to make everything go off without a hitch, that you don’t get to live and soak in all of the things you’re going to experience. Here’s three ways to stay emotionally grounded during your […]
December 13, 2020
