Professional photographers are a resourceful bunch. They have to be, because circuity fails, light bulbs burn out, models oversleep and don't show up, locations fall through, luggage gets lost. But regardless of whether a job goes according to plan, the client always needs their images.

This post is meant as a quick, top-level resource guide for out of town pro shooters as they travel to Minneapolis. It's not exhaustive, and equipment can always be FedEx'd in from Chicago (or picked up at the old Home Depot), but there are a number of options when it comes to getting your hands on supplemental professional photo gear in the Twin Cities if you're in from out of town.

West Photo
Not the encyclopedic selection of a Calumet or B & H, but West has a couple good options for sale in every gear category. Their rental department is well stocked with brands from Speedo to Dynalite to Profoto, and obtaining a customer account is a smooth and easy process.

Flashlight Photo Rental
Flashlight hones in on Profoto gear and grip supplies. Pick up and delivery is included in every order.

Capture RAW
Medium format digital backs, computers, and Profoto lighting.

Need an extra hand on set? The Twin Cities American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) site has a regularly updated Assistant Directory with a separate page for Digital Techs - both are good starting points.

Sure, Minneapolis is a smaller market, but as home to Target, as well as numerous advertising heavies, a large medical industry, and a healthy publishing world, it's more photo-friendly than someone from one of the coasts might expect.

Now if any of these places just rented down jackets. . .

About the Author:
Chris Bohnhoff is a native Minneapolis Photographer specializing in location portraiture and food photography.