These days, photography is practiced by anyone with a smartphone, but it's mastered by few. When it comes to those once-in-a-lifetime moments—when you've got one shot at getting it right—you better make sure the person behind the camera is a pro. A proven professional photographer that is.

There's no greater proof than when the letters “CPP” follow a photographer's name. They designate a Certified Professional Photographer, someone who is putting in the extra work to stay above the rest. It assures you this professional photographer's knowledge and experience, also declaring that photographer is one who has achieved and maintains a higher standard.

The Difference Certified Professional Photographers Make

Consistency.

CPPs know how to achieve great results—every time. You get a strong collection of images that tell your story, not a few lucky snapshots, and you will work with someone who knows how to produce a quality image under any circumstances.
 
Technical Skills.

CPPs are more than picture takers. They are students of art, lighting, posing, fashion and even interior design. They combine these elements to create images that fit your unique style and become works of art you will treasure for generations.
 
Unique Artistry.

CPPs have the skills to create unique, customized works of art—not cookie-cutter pictures. They follow an artistic vision. It’s your story captured as a collection of art.
 
Professionalism.

When you hire a CPP, you know you're getting someone who is willing to go the extra mile to deliver the best possible images. They are business owners who thrive on customer service and satisfaction, and they continuously aim to produce products that exceed your—and their—best expectations. These images are keepsakes whose stories you'll tell time and time again and treasure forever.
 
Just about anyone can take a good picture every now and then. But when life's biggest moments are unfolding and there's just one chance to capture that perfect memory, don't risk it. Entrust your photography needs to a Certified Professional Photographer and see the difference for yourself.

Contact information:

Office Phone: 651-494-4445

email address: cornelbp@comcast.net

Our NEW Studio is 9 years old now. This separate building with a large camera room is ideal for big family portraits, high school seniors with accessories plus I have lots of wooded and open areas for cars trucks etc. I have lots of backdrops and options.

Current News

Countryside continues to be the preferred senior portrait photographer for the Stillwater SAHS seniors and other schools from Prescott,WI, Oakdale,Mahtommedi to Blaine, MN.

In 2014 the Stillwater high school yearbook staff selected Countryside from many different studios in the area to provide the yearbook with quality portraits while considering things like, image quality and varity,studio location, print prices to name a few of the requirements. We continue to provide ongoing support for SAHS yearbook with senior portaits, sporting events and team photos.

My love for the photographic media goes back to my high school days where I was the only yearbook photographer student. Black and White was the normal film back in the 70s. I worked for two studios during high school printing the yearbook portraits in the darkroom. After high school I begain studing wedding and portrait photography with three photographers that were masters of the trade.

My artistic drive molded me into portrait and wedding photographer. WOW! Weddings are all about people not just about capturing a photograph or the equipment you use. The studio I worked for pushed me into the deep end of the pool of wedding photography using only window light to capture portraits. This old style photography using only the soft light of a window to create wonderful wedding portraits limits for a photographer, to mid-day weddings in the summer. People get married in the morning, early evening and what about when it raining or snowing. Well this taught me to be prepared, I use professional lighting for all my weddings. I mastered portrait lighting 25years ago allowing me to provide studio quality wedding photography regardless of location. 

I opened Countryside Photo in 1985 and reduced my contract wedding work to only one studio while booking work for myself.

Moving forward in time when my kids were in high school I stopped photographing weddings as the demand changed and my desire to expand my senior portraits family and pet photography. In 2010 I engaged with Stillwater high school and began photograhping sports action and team photos. 2011 we built the studio and now I am the main photographer most of the sports and the yearbook photographer for more than 500 students per year sense 2014 this is over 3000 Seniors and more than 300 Senior high portrait clients.

I truly enjoy photographing high school seniors, everyone of them has a "can do" attitude.

Studio History: 1985 - 2020

In 1985 I opened Countryside Photographic Inc. when the wedding photography industry was going through a shift where couples would have a relative or close friend take snap shots and hire a studio to come and pose the group shots only. During the late 70s studios began to offer portraits along with group poses. These portraits were limited to window light with limited backdrops. Several studios that I worked for in the early 80s changed their style and began to offer different options. These options included high quality studio lighting and real posing offering the customer the best quality.

Today Countryside Photo is focused on two main groups, High School Seniors and Family portraits. Seniors want some indoor portraits and outdoor portraits, I can provide both right here at the studio. When students want the metro look, the brick and mortar of the city or want the town landmarks in the background I provide these options also. Family portraits are either at your home or at our studio, at your home can be a special photo although the studio backgrounds allows for a different look and larger groups.   I still provide the studio quality wedding portraits on location along with photojournalistic reception coverage. Many customers have told us about their friend’s wedding photography disasters from the previous year and Brides share their need to have that special photograph, like their grandparents or parents had taken back in the 50s and 60s.

2012 was a new beginning with a new space
Countryside moved from our home to a new studio located at our on our property in the country with over 1000 sq/ft of client space and 5 acres outdoor area.  The indoor space has a private dressing room/restroom a sales and presentation area along with an entrance area for clients to be greeted. I take the time to visit with you and identify what you are looking for and then I make sure that each image and the experience is fun and rewarding for you. We use the latest technology to capture images and the newest software to show you each image as it would look finished. The images you select your family will cherish for generations.

2014 was an exciting year as almost 700 senior high seniors from Stillwater came here to be photographed for the yearbook. Many of these seniors had us create their senior portrait for the family while some will just have the yearbook photo taken. Countryside Photo delivered 100% ontime and 100% correct images to the yearbook. This agreement is ongoing for the Class of 2021 and 2022 at Stillwater high school. They have renewed the agreement at the end each agreement noting our quality, low to no complaints from parents with Countryside. We have now had over 3000 seniors here each getting a personal appointment and time, no rush to get the portrait right.

Brief Photography history:

The photographic industry has gone through several changes, from the pocket 110 cameras in the 80s to the point and shoots 35mm cameras in the 90s and now in the 2000s where every cell phone has a camera. The digital image has moved Kodak and other film companies from a film and paper and print company to home printer and simple high quality digital cameras. The Professional photographer has 2 options today, use the amateur equipment or use the traditional professional equipment with a digital twist. Today I use my professional medium format digital cameras and a digital SLR camera depending on the subject or location. The medium format digital capture yields the finest quality image available today, yet using the digital SLR with professional techniques yields exceptional images when capturing the action or mobile shooting.