Hello, Mini Session Friends!

Pre-Session Logistics

Let’s start off with 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're booked for, 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, as well as some weather contingency thoughts if necessary. Don't hesitate to reach out with questions and ideas anytime! 

How to prepare your kids

Knowing what to expect from our session helps 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 look at a photo of my face. A few special 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 their very cool lives. I am also mama to my own two silly kids and auntie to many others!

• It is absolutely ok to wiggle, jump, play, and have big feelings during photo sessions with me. We will make it work together!

• 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. 

• The whole family will stay together while we take photos. 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. Our session will be very relaxed, so kid’s clothes that aren’t too fussy and allow for easy movement are wonderful. I recommend against outfits that are too heavily color-coordinated, and I'd avoid pure white and pure black, as stark colors don’t photograph as well. Also shirts, jackets and (especially, for some reason) vests with big collars might block faces, so those are good to avoid.

 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 your kids are right now– their 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.

Just keep in mind— there is no wrong thing to wear to our photo session! You and your kids will photograph best if everyone feels like themselves.

What if it rains?

I will keep an eye on the forecast in the days leading up to your session, and reach out with some options if thing are looking really dire! If it is actively raining in the two hours leading up to your session, I will shoot you a text so that we can make a rain plan— that usually involves rebooking (at no extra charge) for a drier day!

What if my kid is sick?

If anyone in your family isn’t feeling well, please reach out and I will get you rebooked (at no extra charge of course!) for another time.

How the session works

When we meet up we’ll chat briefly so that I can get to know (or re-meet!) everyone- then, we’ll take the photos! I will guide everyone through different groupings— whole family, siblings, solo shots, etc.

The session will last 20 minutes. I promise that’s enough time! 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.

A Little Reassurance

Your child does not need to be on their best behavior to take good photos! They do not need to stand still. They do not need to smile big. They are very welcome to express themselves and have big feelings. I always take this as a compliment— it means kids feel safe with me!

All your kids have to do is show up as themselves. My job will be to affirm them, help them feel safe, and take beautiful photos. Your job is to enjoy your connection with your favorite people. I’ve got you.

Choosing Images

Two weeks after your session, you’ll receive the link to your online gallery of images, along with authorization to select and download your allotted number of images in high-resolution. You will need to sign into your gallery using the same email you booked with in order to download the images.

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.

Ok Then!

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 how I can support you in making this a fun and safe experience for everyone.