Converse Candids Photography LLC

06/18/2026

I think the HARDEST part about being a bo***ir and empowerment photographer is that I've photographed SO MANY BADDIES... and there are so many sessions I can't share. 😭✨
(Consent is SO important to me, that's why I had a lawyer create my contracts, because boo, you are so important to me!)

For now, you get a little more from Lisa's session because she's an absolute queen and modeled for me. 🥵

A reminder that my Bo***ir & Empowerment Mini Sessions are still available as part of the Summer Studio Sale, and there are plenty of date options open! If none of the available dates work for you, send me a message through my website and let's see if we can make something work:
🪩Booking and Details Link:
https://conversecandids.bigcartel.com/product/bo***ir-minis
💌Let's Chat Link:
https://www.conversecandids.com/contact/

As a gentle reminder, this will be the last time I offer these minis at this price point. I offer payment plans, my checkout system accepts Afterpay and Klarna, and I'm always happy to work with people. You deserve opportunities to pour into your self-love, confidence, and joy.

I ALSOOOOO want to remind folks that bo***ir and empowerment sessions are for EVERYBODY and EVERY BODY. 👏👏👏 (and LOUDER for those in the back - EVERY BODY DESERVES SELF LOVE - in any capacity even self acceptance can be powerful!)
You are worthy of being celebrated exactly as you are - right now!

If you have questions, concerns, nerves, or you're wondering if a session is right for you, send me a message. That's literally what I'm here for. ✨
https://www.conversecandids.com/self-love-bo***ir-studio/

06/17/2026

🌈 The Q***r Joy Project continues.

You can experience the exhibit now at the Austin ArtWorks Center, located in the Austin Area Arts 2nd Floor Gallery, or join us for the opening reception on June 23rd as we celebrate the stories, people, and community that make this project so meaningful. I'll tag the event below!

Opening Reception | Morgan Converse “Q***r Joy Project” | Austin (MN) Area Arts

Over the coming weeks, I'll be introducing the incredible humans who helped bring The Q***r Joy Project to life. Each portrait is more than a photograph- it's a reflection of authenticity, resilience, joy, and the power of being seen exactly as you are.

All proceeds from this project will benefit Austin MN Pride, helping support their mission of creating safe, affirming, and joyful spaces for LGBTQIA+ people throughout our community.

Today, I'm honored to introduce the next person featured in The Q***r Joy Project: Jenna 🩷

I was genuinely excited when Jenna reached out wanting to be part of this project. Because not only is she a rainbow in human form, radiating joy wherever she goes.... but also someone who takes up space in places that haven't always felt safe or affirming for so many people. I knew her story would resonate with others and leave an impact.

One of the things I admire most about Jenna is her "why" and the work she's dedicating herself to. She's currently raising funds for a coaching cohort that will help her build a shame-free Christian sexuality education ministry designed to help churches and ministry settings move beyond purity culture and harmful silence.

When Jenna shared this vision with me, I immediately knew how important it was. It's work that empowers people, creates safer spaces, and builds stronger communities where people can show up fully as themselves.

I also heard from a little bird that tomorrow is Jenna's birthday. What better way to celebrate a truly rad human than helping her reach her goal? Your support will help fund upcoming training and equip her to strengthen this vital ministry for the future of the Church.

donations.signupgenius.com/fromlabtolaunch

Here's Jenna's story in her own words:

"I’m a bisexual woman, a wife, a mom of two, a Lutheran pastor, and someone who often exists in the 'invisible' spaces of the LGBTQIA+ community. As a bi woman married to a cishet man, my q***rness is often overlooked—but I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.

I have a complicated relationship with the Church. I’ve witnessed the harm caused by the abuse of Scripture and the hateful treatment of my beloved gay and trans siblings. But my call to love and serve God’s people compels me to stay and help build a Church that is safer, more inclusive, and more welcoming for LGBTQIA+ people.

At the heart of everything I do is the belief that every person is deeply beloved and beautifully made in the image of God."

PS - shout out to our friends over at Austin Congregational UCC & Spirituality Center for making magic happen by letting us use their beautiful space to make a perfect backdrop.

06/17/2026

I have ONE Sunset Mini for this FRIDAY!
(other date options in link below!)
See Details + Book here:

Sunset Mini's are BACK! Perfect for couples, your immediate small family, just the kids, the furbabies, a mini senior session or a solo empowerment sesh! *this would NOT work for multi family or generational photos* DETAILS: Your total investment: $225 A 125$ Non Refundable Retainer is due to secure...

06/16/2026

🌈 The Q***r Joy Project continues.

You can experience the exhibit now at the Austin ArtWorks Center, part of Austin Area Arts 2nd floor gallery, or join us for the opening reception on June 23rd as we celebrate the stories, people, and community that make this project so meaningful. I'll tag the event below!

Opening Reception | Morgan Converse “Q***r Joy Project” | Austin (MN) Area Arts

Over the coming weeks, I'll be introducing the incredible humans who helped bring The Q***r Joy Project to life. Each portrait is more than a photograph - it's a reflection of authenticity, resilience, joy, and the power of being seen exactly as you are.

All proceeds from this project will benefit Austin MN Pride, helping support their mission to create safe, affirming, and joyful spaces for LGBTQIA+ people throughout our community.

Today, I'm honored to introduce the next beautiful humans featured in this project: Dexter and Ry.

They were such a joy to get to know and honestly felt more like photographing old friends than clients. I loved that they chose to have their session at home because they're homebodies and wanted the photos to reflect an ordinary Sunday evening together. A few furry family members made appearances too including the biggest cat I have ever seen, who even has his own tiny chair. It brought me SO much joy!

They wanted to document something simple but meaningful: making dinner together and rocking out in the kitchen to their favorite band, Bring Me The Horizon.

At its heart, The Q***r Joy Project is a reminder that q***r people are everywhere. We are your neighbors, your coworkers, your friends, your family. What resonated most with me about Dexter and Ry's session were the small glimmers of joy found in everyday life - the magic tucked into making dinner, sharing stories, listening to music, and simply being present with the people you love.

Enough from me, though - professional yapper over here!

In their own words:

"We are Rylee and Dex (she/her for both). We transplanted to Minnesota about four years ago from Seattle, Washington, for Dex's job and found a lovely little home in Albert Lea.

We wanted our photoshoot to show us on a day-to-day basis. And where do we spend most of our time? Honestly, in the kitchen or on the couch—we are homebodies! We love sharing our space with our fur babies and our community. And above all else, we love emo music.

One of the comments we get most often when meeting people here is, 'You're so normal.'

I think the common misconception about the q***r community is that we are inherently loud and flamboyant. While that may be true at times, and consistently true for some people, it isn't true across the board.

Dex has never felt the need to wear rainbows or sport a Pride flag as part of her existence, but she grew up in Seattle where there was a q***r community almost everywhere. Rylee, on the other hand, likes to show her Pride through those avenues because she grew up in Wisconsin, where those communities were not readily available.

The point is: q***rness is a spectrum. You just be you, and the rest will fall into place.

Be kind, and Happy Pride to everyone!"

06/15/2026

🌈 The Q***r Joy Project continues and you can see it now or come to the opening reception!

Opening Reception | Morgan Converse “Q***r Joy Project” | Austin (MN) Area Arts

Over the next few weeks, I'll be sharing the incredible humans who helped bring this project to life. Each portrait is more than a photograph - it's a story of authenticity, resilience and community.

All profits from this project will benefit Austin MN Pride, helping support their work to create safe, affirming, and joyful spaces within our community.

Today, I'm honored to introduce Ivan, the next person featured in The Q***r Joy Project.

Ivan is a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and an environmental science major who sees the world through a deeply nature-centered lens. When planning their session, it felt only fitting to photograph them surrounded by the things they love most: the natural world, their favorite flowers growing on family property, and the large garden where they spend time planting seeds and tending new growth.

One of my favorite parts of this session was getting to sit alongside them in the garden, listening to the way they shared memories of planting and growing this land for years.

Plants remind us that growth isn't always visible. Roots stretch long before blooms appear. We have to water ourselves the same way we water our gardens. We need rest, nourishment, sunlight, community, and care. We need to tend to ourselves with the same patience and compassion we offer the things we're helping grow.

And just like a garden, we were never meant to thrive alone.

So here's to planting seeds, nurturing joy, and rooting for one another. I hope each of us finds the spaces, people, and passions that help us grow into our fullest selves. And I hope we all find joy- whatever that looks like, and in whatever form it may come.

06/12/2026

🌈 The Q***r Joy Project continues!

The gallery officially opened today at the Austin ArtWorks Center, part of Austin Area Arts, part of the Austin Area Arts, and will be on display from June 12 through August 21.

The Q***r Joy Project was created as an extension of my empowerment photography sessions, celebrating LGBTQIA+ humans exactly as they are: joyful, authentic, visible, and worthy of taking up space.

At a time when the world continues trying to erase q***r people, this project stands as a reminder that we have always been here, we are everywhere, and we cannot be erased.

This project is deeply personal to me and closely connected to my work with Austin MN Pride and thus why all profits will go directly back to their non profit.

Over the next several weeks, I'll be sharing the incredible people who helped bring this project to life. Each portrait is more than a photograph and I invite you to not only come see the portraits but read the stories. They're full of authenticity, resilience, community, and joy.

Today, I am so excited to introduce the next person in this series: Aleida💛

When they reached out wanting to be involved in the project, we started comparing calendars and talking through ideas. During that conversation, they casually mentioned they had a gender-affirming haircut scheduled soon. Immediately, a little spark went off in my brain - that was exactly where this session needed to happen.

Because a haircut is often so much more than a haircut.

The experience begins the moment an artist meets their canvas. Feeling safe, affirmed, and welcomed in that space can change a person's entire day. Hair can be part of so many journeys. For some, it's just hair. For others, it's empowerment, identity, and finally feeling more at home in the body they live in.

Aleida's stylist, Jennifer Rodgers, was an absolute joy to work with. She was not only supportive of this haircut, but of this entire project. She was affirming, thoughtful, and a true artist in her craft. Watching her check in with her client, create her masterpiece, and genuinely celebrate alongside them was beautiful to witness.

Artists creating art - my favorite kind of day!
West End Salon MedSpa & Wellness Studio was so beautiful too and became the perfect backdrop! - THAT LIGHTING, yes PLEASE!
But enough from me - this is Aleida's story and their why.

💜In their own words:
Name: Aleida
Pronouns: She/They
How I Identify to the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community: I am a pansexual demiwoman
Why did I say yes to this project, and why this location:

I said yes to this project because on the surface, I look like a cis-gender straight woman - I usually present femme, am married to a man, and have a child. I think it’s important to remember that our community has a wide range of appearances, and no matter how we appear, it doesn’t erase our existence.

We discussed that I was getting my hair done soon and we agreed the salon was the perfect space. Getting a shullet was more than just a haircut. It was an act of exploration, of trying on something to see if it felt more authentically me. But I wanted the space where that happened to matter too. Finding a stylist who sees you, who makes you feel safe enough to be vulnerable about who you are and what you want, is something q***r people have to seek out deliberately. It shouldn’t be that way, but it is.

I wanted to show that q***r joy doesn’t only happen at Pride parades or in q***r-specific spaces. It happens in an ordinary salon chair when you find someone who makes you feel like yourself.

We’re everywhere.

And the places that embrace us matter.

06/12/2026

Opening Reception | Morgan Converse “Q***r Joy Project” | Austin (MN) Area Arts

06/12/2026

🌈 The Q***r Joy Project continues.
Over the next few weeks, I'll be sharing the incredible people who helped bring this project to life. Each portrait is more than a photograph - it's a story of authenticity, resilience, community, and joy.

All profits from this project will benefit Austin MN Pride helping support their work to create safe, affirming, and joyful spaces within our community.

Today, I'm honored to introduce the next people featured in the Q***r Joy Project, Hans + Brooklyn

I loved that they chose to do their session at the Austin ArtWorks Center, part of Austin Area Arts in the clay cavern making pottery. A hobby they both love, especially creating art together. We also thought it would be important to include the custom newspapers made for this project in their work scrubs. As a reminder, that we are everywhere, and we're not going anywhere.

In their own words 💛

Hans: I am a 30 y/o FTM pansexual transman in the community with a passion for the arts, animals, and my community. I work as a full time veterinary technician caring for the pets in our community and a part time artist. I was born in Austin and have been living in BP my whole life. Although I am not a resident of Austin itself, my work and daily time spent in Austin has left me with a deep feeling of connection and love for the community.

I chose the Clay Cavern/downtown Austin for our shoot because I grew up immersed in the arts and the community of Austin. I remember working with my Mom at the paramount theater when I was a teenager and when the building was first purchased helping turn the Artworks center via hours of volunteer work into what it is today. It holds a special place in my heart, and always will. My first time throwing pottery was here at the arts center, and it has blossomed into the passion for ceramics I have today. It has been one of the greatest joys of my life to share this special little space with my partner and see her own passion for ceramics grow.

Me and Brooklyn met through the arts online, and I grew to love her initially without knowing her face. Our relationship started as the best friendship id ever had, and though the years blossomed into so much more than I ever imaged. I waited years to meet her in person, although she has always been held close to my heart, that moment will stay with me forever. She up rooted everything she knew and moved hundreds of miles so that my hand could hold hers- and the moment our fingers touched I knew I would always hold it tightly and close in my own.

Being with Brooklyn has been the adventure of a lifetime, and one that I will continue to treasure for all my days. Through all that we have been through, facing diversity and the intimidating process of being ourselves, she is my heart and soul. I would face anything if it meant our hands could be held together for just a little longer.

My hope through this beautiful and inspiring process and showing our connection to the world is that those just like us will not have to suffer the same challenges that we have faced one day. True love will never be easy, and always be a process, but prejudice should play no roll in this already complicated process. We should not be forced to choose between ourselves and our love over those who we hold closest. Our hearts are big enough for it all. We should not be called selfish or anything else over this choice. We should love endlessly, and be allowed to love without end.

It is my dream that one day no one else should have to prove themselves a decent person just because they are LGBTQ+. That we will all stand the same ground in each other's eyes and be judged based off what is in our hearts and souls rather than anything else.

Never forget.
You love us.
You need us.

Even if you don't know that you do. We love and care for your pets in sickness and In health. We care for your loved ones with gentle hands. We want your children to laugh and thrive even if you carry hatred for us in your heart. We are your neighbors, your friends, your family, your vet techs, your physical therapists, and so so much more. We are everywhere. We cry the same tears over the same issues and yet we can sometimes feel so far apart and alienated from one another. We are not so different from each other in the end.

We are all just human beings trying to find our joy and our meaning in this life.

06/11/2026

🌈 The Q***r Joy Project continues.

Over the next few weeks, I'll be sharing the incredible people who helped bring this project to life. Each portrait is more than a photograph - it's a story of authenticity, resilience, community, and joy.

All profits from this project will benefit Austin MN Pride helping support their work to create safe, affirming, and joyful spaces within our community.

Today, I'm honored to introduce the next person featured in the Q***r Joy Project, Billie 🩵

This session was deeply meaningful, and personal. It's not every day you meet someone who allows you to capture them in grief and q***r joy. They allowed me, us, to hold space and let whatever happen, happen organically. The story would tell itself, but most of all, all parts of their grief would be honored.

In their own words....

"Billie Brittany Ann, 37 they/them, Full Spectrum Doula and Graphic Artist

I'm Billie, a q***r business owner, doula, parent, and community builder in rural Minnesota. I wanted these photos taken in my workspace because this is where so much of my life happens. The mural was painted by my partner, Luke, who died by su***de in 2022. His presence is still woven into my life, my work, and the community.

When I think about q***r joy, I think of the courage to keep creating, loving, laughing, and showing up for one another despite pain. For me, grief and joy are deeply connected. Grief exists because love existed first.

Being photographed in this space felt important because it tells a more complete story of who I am. I'm carrying loss with me, but I'm also carrying hope, community, purpose, and joy. Pride has always been about making room for all of those truths at once."

MedCity Doulas

06/10/2026

Well, this is awkward.

To the person who peeled my "Best of Mower County" sticker off my studio window... I hope it looked great wherever you put it. 😂

It's just a sticker, right?

Well... kind of.

Running a small business means showing up every day, even on the hard days. The public sees the photos, events, and celebrations, but they don't always see the late nights, self-doubt, weird messages, negative comments, or the moments when you're wondering if what you're doing matters.

So while a sticker might seem silly, sometimes it's a little reminder that people see what you're building and appreciate the work you put into this community.

Which brings me to my shameless plug:

Voting is open for Best of Mower County, and if there's a local business, artist, restaurant, or human you love, go give them a vote. It costs nothing, takes just a minute, and can be a surprisingly meaningful "keep going, we see you" for someone who needs it.

You can vote once a day!

And if you happen to vote for Converse Candids Photography while you're there, I certainly won't complain. 😉

Vote here:
https://www.austindailyherald.com/contests/best-of

Our community is full of people who pour their hearts into making it better. Let's show them some love.