Home - studionik.co

Behind the Lens

My name is Nikki Manges. I’m originally from Owatonna, MN, but now live just outside of Geneva, MN. I serve Owatonna, Austin, Albert Lea, Blooming Prairie, Geneva, Hartland, New Richland, Ellendale, Waltham, Hope, Rochester, Minneapolis, Byron, Kasson, Dodge Center, Faribault, Waseca and so many more areas.

Last year, 2021, for the first time I took a big leap into a new hobby. I purchased my first camera, Canon 5D Mark ii, and a cheaper lens and started a new love that I can’t stop. In late 2021, I registered my business as Cedar & Magnolia Photography, LLC. While this name is still near and dear to my heart, it’s not totally fitting of what I’m looking to have my business name as forever.

I have spent a lot of adulthood finding my authentic self. For years I searched for my identity outside of being a Mom and Wife. I’ve spent year after year being obsessed with portrait mode on my iPhone and catching every little breath of my kids and family on my iPhone. Yearning to capture that one moment that would set my soul ablaze again.While I’m still carrying my first camera around, I have upgraded my camera, Canon Mirrorless R5, and my lens. I’ve also upgraded my skills. I’ve been apart of mentorships, newborn education, retreats & a partnership with a couple friends to toss ideas around. I’m also grateful to be apart of the volunteering for events like Infants Remembered in Silence’s (IRIS) annual Little Black Dress event in March, IRIS Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving day & Olivia’s Ball in February. This journey has been nothing short of amazing. And I’m so glad you’re here. Let’s jump in, tell me about yourself.

I invested in my love of photography and from there it’s just blossomed. I love being a mom, I love being a wife, having a full time job with a company I love. BUT NOW I get to add a part of myself I never knew was missing. I get to support body positivity, my love of newborn photography, volunteer for & support great foundations and many other opportunities. I get to capture my nieces and nephews growing up, your family memories and so much more. Watching you family grow is one of the most rewarding pieces of doing this.

While you may look at your life and see ordinary, I see extraordinary. Every single one of my clients has a story to tell. Your story matters..

xoxo,

Nik

Adrienne Z.

One of my favorite sessions ever was with you. How you handled Vi was everything, by getting her to laugh, being patient with her and even letting her help by being your assistant and snapping a pic of mom and dad!!! I think making her feel so comfortable was the only reason she cooperated. Seriously you were so great and it was the most relaxing family photo session I have ever been in!

Click Here

Elizabeth R.

Nikki is an amazing photographer and was great to with toddlers, horses, and everybody else in our family. Everything I’ve seen from her is GORGEOUS!! Could not recommend more

Click Here

Samantha L.

We just recently had our baby boy’s newborn pictures done with Nikki and let me tell you, it was the best experience I’ve had with a photographer! We are from out of town and she worked with us on a date that ended up changing a couple times and was never rude of upset! She was incredibly accommodating! We also brought our 2 other kiddos and were not able to take them out of the studio when they were done with that portion and Nikki was so great about that. I felt so comfortable with her handling my new baby and so relaxed watching her work her photography magic! The pictures have been absolutely perfect! I would highly recommend her to anyone and will for sure be coming back!

Click Here

Autumn S,

Best photographer out there! We just recently had pictures done and wow! The pictures are so much more than I expected!! 100% recommend true north studio & design, she makes you feel so welcomed and comfortable my son wouldn’t stop crying so I was constantly breastfeeding him tryingt to get him to calm down for the pictures and she didn’t make me feel pressured at all! Will never switch we love Nikki!

Click Here

Jackie L

I gave Nikki a fun task she’s never done before and she went above and beyond what I could have expected and overachieved my expectations!”

Jess B

“Nikki is so amazing to work with! She did my husbands side family pictures and they turned out fantastic. We had 4 kids under 3 and she did so well with them. She is so kind and easy to work with. Nikki is so good at what she does and the pictures are amazing. We plan to use her for future sessions 🙂 I highly highly recommend!”

Cassy B.

“Nikki took on capturing part of our IVF journey. I could not have asked for a better person to do this! The tenderness, sincerity and love she brought to us that day is something we are so thankful for! I could not love my pictures any more!”

Rebecca S.

“Nikki was so much fun to shoot with! My daughter immediately loved her. Nikki was easily able to make all of us laugh and it felt so natural. She made my daughter look absolutely beautiful and I suppose me and her father weren’t too bad either. Nora even got to help Nikki tell us to say “CHEESE!” I will definitely be coming back to her when we need more pictures!”