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Business Details
We have served the Michiana area continuously since our founding in 1861. Our studio holds the distinction of being the oldest photography business in the region. Albert McDonald established our legacy of excellence at just nineteen years old. The Patnaude family has proudly owned and operated our studio since 1946. David and Ann Patnaude have maintained our reputation for quality for decades. We employ award-winning photographers and talented digital design artists.

Our staff brings unique energy and genuine passion to every client session. We operate two full-service locations in South Bend, Indiana. Our downtown studio features a state-of-the-art digital lab for immediate processing. The Ironwood location offers a two-story portrait studio on a scenic acre of land. We stand behind every photograph with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Readers' Choice Awards has named us Favorite Photographer for ten consecutive years.
Highlights and features
  • We have operated continuously since 1861.
  • Our photographers have won industry awards.
  • We guarantee 100% satisfaction on all portraits.
  • We earned ten Readers' Choice Awards.
  • Our Ironwood studio spans a scenic acre.
Services
Senior Portraits
Our senior portrait sessions capture the unique personality of each graduate through customized studio and outdoor settings. We provide professional hair and makeup consultations to ensure a polished, confident look. Clients receive high-resolution digital files and premium print products designed to last generations.
Wedding Photography
Our wedding photography packages document every meaningful moment from preparation through reception with unobtrusive artistry. We assign two award-winning photographers to ensure comprehensive coverage of all key events. Couples receive a custom-designed album and online gallery for effortless sharing with family.
Family Portraits
Our family portrait sessions create timeless heirlooms in either our scenic acreage studio or your preferred destination. We coordinate wardrobe styling and posing guidance to reflect your family's authentic dynamic. Finished portraits are presented in museum-quality frames, canvases, or custom albums for lasting display.
Children Photography
Our children's photography sessions capture genuine expressions through playful, child-led interactions in a comfortable environment. We offer themed sets and outdoor acres to match each child's unique interests and energy. Parents receive a curated selection of edited images ready for prints, gifts, or digital sharing.
Photobooth Services
Our photobooth rental service adds interactive entertainment to weddings, corporate events, and private parties across Michiana. We provide unlimited prints, custom backdrops, and digital props tailored to your event theme. Guests instantly receive physical strips and digital copies for immediate social media sharing.
Reviews (4)
Adrienne Lee
May 05, 2021 Report
Studio took awesome pictures. Daughter graduating in June. Senior pictures were beautiful. They are using her picture in studio for prop.
Olivia D.
Jan 15, 2018 Report
I received satisfactory service at the beginning, despite the fact that they booked me for two appointments, and told me I had to wait for the second one. After this, my senior pictures went smoothly, although the photographer's assistant smelled weirdly of alcohol and drank something out of a Mason jar in front of my mother and I. After this, we reconvened to browse through my pictures about a week later.

This portion went well. I gave her my email so she could send me proofs, which never came. We waited for some form of contact from the business, but nothing came for about a month. We went in for another meeting, but their Internet was down (not their fault) so I, the client, had to go through each printed picture and mark them for the collections and 5x7's. I'm writing this review now, three months after my pictures were taken, telling anyone considering where to get their senior pictures done, that even though your school makes you get your headshot here, you're off finding a freelance photographer to take the ones you give to family or put on grad party invitations. My family is spending over $1,000 on two-star service.
Sue Gigi
Oct 23, 2017 Report
I have gone to McDonald studio for all my kids' senior pictures. With my "last" senior the pictures were ok, but I did notice the unkempt appearance of the Ironwood studio both inside and out. Also, Peter the photographer who did all my other kids portraits was not there anymore. He did a very professional job. Too bad.
Rebecca Thomas
Oct 30, 2016 Report
While they took good staged shots of my fiance proposing, I did not get any pictures of the actual proposal *the main reason they were hired*.not sure if these were even taken because they were not on the CD of images we received and the missing images were unable to be recovered from the SD card because by the time we got the edited images they had already been overwritten. Extremely frustrating and disappointing because that is a moment I can never get back.definitely would NOT trust them to do a wedding