Hello, Mini Session Friends!
I’m so happy that you’ve scheduled a Mini Session! I'm really looking forward to connecting with your family through photos, and I'm here to help everyone feel comfy and have fun. Here are some details about what to expect and how to prepare!
Logistics
Just a few nuts-and bolts booking details before we get to the fun stuff!
If you haven't yet paid for your session, you can head over to my payment page! Thank you so much for paying for your session within two weeks of booking.
If you need to review your session time, you can circle back to the confirmation email that you'll receive from Calendly. You'll also receive a few reminder emails as your session date gets closer.
If you need a reminder about what location you've booked for you, you can match your time and date to my listing of locations HERE.
All of my clients e-sign a basic photo session contract. You'll receive a separate email with instructions on how to do that– it's very quick and easy.
I will reach out again a few days prior to your session with meetup instructions for your specific location and weather contingency thoughts. Don't hesitate to reach out with questions and ideas anytime!
How to prepare your kids
Knowing what to expect from our session help kids feel safe and have fun! Some kids like to take a look at my website to see the kinds of photos I take, and see a photo of my face. A few details you can share with your kids:
I will use a "big camera" to take their photos. It's different from the phone cameras that they are used to and it's VERY cool. They will be welcome to take a look at it and press the buttons.
Taking pictures of children is my job, and I am very excited to learn about them and what is important to them. I am also the mama of my own two silly kids!
It is absolutely to wiggle, jump, play, and have big feelings during photo sessions with me.
The goal of our session together is to take photos that help them feel proud of themselves, and that they can share as a special gift with the people who love them.
You (parents or caretaker) will be there the entire time!
A few other kid-prep tips:
I HIGHLY suggest offering kids snacks and water on the way to the session– even if they have just eaten– and letting them know what your plans are AFTER the session. Planning a treat (something yummy to eat or fun to do) after our time together tends to make things go even more smoothly.
If your child brings a toy, snack, accessory with them TO our session, chances are high that it will end up in our photos! That's absolutely fine with me, but it's good rule of thumb to leave anything that you DON'T want to appear in photos in the car.
What to wear
I always recommend wearing clothes that make everyone FEEL good. The session is very relaxed, so kids clothes that aren’t too fussy and allow for easy movement are wonderful. I recommend against clothes that are too heavily color-coordinated, and I'd avoid pure white and pure black, as stark colors don’t photograph as well.
If you want the photos to have a super-classic feel, light colors, neutrals, and earth tones are lovely. If you want the portraits to capture who you and your kids are right now– your sense of style, personality and overall VIBE, I'd say go big with favorite t-shirts, mixing prints, overalls, rainboots, tutus– you name it!
Finally, if you have a kid who wears dresses, it's always nice to throw on a pair of shorts underneath so that they can jump and climb freely.
How the session works
We’ll chat briefly so that I can get an idea of what you’re looking for and to get to know one another-- then, we’ll take the photos! It’s always quicker and more fun than people think it will be. I’ll encourage the kids to play and be themselves, and I promise I’ll help you stay relaxed, too!
If your child takes some time to warm up, it can be nice to arrive a few minutes early for your session– you are welcome to observe as I finish up with the clients before you!
Since I'm working with children and everyone is navigating kid-moods and a busy day, please allow me ten minutes of flex time on the start and finish time of your session.
Choosing Images
Two weeks after your session, you’ll receive the link to your online gallery of images, along with a code that allows you to select and download your allotted number of images in high-resolution. If you end up wanting to buy additional images, they’ll cost $25 each. The entire gallery will cost $150. You’ll also have the opportunity (but not the obligation) to order high-quality prints from my professional lab.And that covers everything! If you have any other questions or ideas, don’t hesitate to get in touch. I’m so looking forward to our time together! It is such a joy to know and connect with your family, and I hope you'll let me know if I can support you in making this a fun and safe experience for everyone.