OUR STORY

Block Portrait Studios is a full service portrait studio specializing in custom-designed portrait art.

Visual affirmations for your family and business. 

At Block Portrait Studios, we don’t just take portraits. We capture your legacy.

Whether celebrating a growing family, a graduating senior, multiple generations, or your brand’s story, every session is carefully crafted. 

These portraits are meant to be seen.

Displayed proudly in your home, portraits nurture confidence in your children and create daily reminders of love, connection, and belonging. Each piece reflects your style while anchoring your story in your home.

From the very first conversation to professional installation, every step is personal, polished, and stress-free. We guide you through it all, including styling, colors, and artwork placement to ensure the finished pieces are as meaningful as they are beautiful.

This isn’t just photography. This is your story,  thoughtfully designed and artfully told.

OUR STUDIO

Since 2015, Block Portrait Studios has been proud to be apart of St. Paul. Our studio was intentionally created to be more than just a place to take photos, but also a space where personal stories are transformed into meaningful, lasting art.

The mural on our south wall, designed and painted by local artist Suzanne of Studio Moss, is a visual celebration of the creativity and character of this neighborhood. It reflects the same spirit we bring to every portrait we create:  bold, personal, and deeply rooted.

We’re honored to serve the families, professionals, and artists who make St. Paul so vibrant. Whether you’re looking to preserve a milestone, celebrate your loved ones, or elevate your brand through intentional imagery, we’re here to help turn your vision into art you’re proud to display.

meet our team

Headshot of a woman holding blazer close.

Jeannine

OWNER + PORTRAIT ARTIST

Jeannine is the owner and a portrait artist at Block Portrait Studios. She strives to create a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment for clients and staff! She is client-minded and values creating a memorable experience from start to finish. Jeannine brings her full personality of puns, smiles, and light to any project she takes on.

Jeannine uses her skills behind the camera to not just bring joy to her clients but also as a form of advocacy. Through her portrait project, Thank You For Telling Me That, she brings awareness to CSA and the resources available to contact.

Since 2007, Jeannine has been documenting fun couples’ wedding days as the main photographer of Jeannine Marie Photography. In 2015, Jeannine moved from her home office to the current space on Saint Paul’s Westside. After 2020 and a global pandemic, she rebranded as a full-service portrait studio, creating custom artwork for families to enjoy in their homes.

She loves living in the neighborhood and spending time with her husband and their eight-year-old. They spend much of their time at local restaurants, playing baseball or softball, riding bikes, and visiting family up north.

An organization that Jeannine supports is Corner House.

My strength comes with my vulnerability.

Emmerlee

Underwater Photographer

Emmerlee is our resident underwater photographer. She creates surreal portraits of her subjects using the ethereal atmosphere of being submerged.

When she’s not scuba diving, Emmerlee spends her days knitting and loving life. She could spend hours in a yarn shop looking at different spools and on the search for her next project.

An organization that Emmerlee supports is Make-A-Wish.

You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.

Janine

Marketing + Communications
Janine is behind the scenes at Block Portrait Studios, curating every detail of our brand story through thoughtful social media and blog content, as well as refined client communication. With an eye for visual marketing and a heart for storytelling, she seamlessly weaves together imagery and narrative to reflect the distinct, personalized experience our clients cherish. 
 
Janine is also a writer and an avid bookstagrammer who delights in exploring local independent bookstores. In her free time, Janine enjoys discovering new favorite places and making lasting memories with her husband and son, whether traveling to castles in Europe or relaxing by the lake in Minnesota. These moments continually inspire her creative work.
 
An organization Janine supports is Ralph Reeder Food Shelf.
 
“The only way to deal with this life meaningfully is to find one’s passion, and to let it consume you.” – Maya Angelou

"It has nothing to do with the act of taking the picture, but everything to do with rehearsing the story, the one we tell every time we see that picture." -Seth Godin