Preparing for Your Mini Session
Just book a mini session? Awesome! Here are some things you should know:
Show up early! Mini sessions are booked back-to-back, so if you’re not ready to start at your scheduled start time, you may lose out on valuable photo taking minutes. Allow plenty of time to park, find the meeting spot, and get everyone looking their best after the car ride. I’m usually running right on time during mini session events, because I can’t lose daylight!
Text me when you arrive! I include my cell number in my emails to clients. Many photo locations will have other photographers present, so don’t assume the first photographer you see is me! Just head to the meeting spot and shoot me a text to tell me you’ve arrived. When I finish photographing the family before you, I’ll come find you.
Consider leaving your pup at home. I LOVE dogs, and I think they add so much cuteness to photos! If your dog is a member of your family, you may want to bring them! If that’s the case, try to bring along a friend or family member who can help hold the leash for some no-dog photos. Alternatively, if you’re already juggling the chaos of 1 or more little ones (babies and toddlers especially), consider leaving your dog at home. You’ll likely end up with a slightly larger photo gallery where I can give more attention to getting your kids to smile. Also, make sure to note that not all locations (like the Christmas tree farm and studio) are dog friendly.
Dress for the weather. Little kids have a hard time just “sucking it up for 15 minutes of being cold.” You may have thought it would be warmer, but then a cold wave came through. You may have put so much thought and effort into picking the perfect outfits for a 65 degree fall day. But asking your kids to smile through it because you don’t want sweaters in photos may bite you in the rear. What you risk for nixing the proper attire is goose bumps, chattering teeth, tense smiles, and red noses. Instead, consider layering up. Not all layers are visibile - like putting your daughter in 2 pairs of tights instead of 1 or putting your son in a long sleeve shirt with a button up over top. Some families opt for sweaters, vests, and jackets as well, if it’s cold enough. So keep your kids’ cold-weather tolerance in mind when picking outfits!
Prioritize naps and snacks. People don’t photograph well when they are hungry or sleepy (adults and children alike!). If possible, please make sure everyone has food in their bellies and no one has missed any naps.
I advise making this photo session today’s big event. Make it feel special and exciting for your kids. Perhaps there will be ice cream afterwards?! Regardless, if the day has been full of soccer games, running errands, and other big activities, there may not be much energy left for photos. So try not to pack photo-day with too many exhausting activities.
Check out my Tips for Picking Outfits. I actually have an entire blog about this! But in short…
Wear clothes that fit well and give you confidence.
Let *mom* pick her outfit first
Aim for color coordination over matching
Put biker shorts on any young girls wearing skirts or dresses
Consider avoiding bright red or pink (especially those super saturated shades) - these shades can cast colored shadows on the faces of those nearby.
What if it rains? If rain is in the forecast, I’ll text or email you the day before your session with a plan. We always hope the forecast will clear! But sessions do sometimes need to be moved.
Have fun :) I know that prepping your family for a 15 minute photo session can be a lot! But once you’re all there, just try to have fun with your kids (and share this with your spouse too). The parents who show up ready to play and have fun with their kids will ALWAYS get the best photos. I try to make magic with EVERY family, but you just can’t beat a session where the parents show up ready to enjoy their family. I’ll bring the poses, the prompts, and the silliness. You guys can just show up and have fun together.
