Goodness, are we coming up on fall already??? It is just around the corner and I feel like time continues to fly! I know I say this every year, but who doesn’t love the season where the fireplace is on, the soup is made, and the sweaters are officially out. One thing I absolutely love, love, LOVE about fall are all the families I get to photograph for my family sessions. There are a number of families I see every year for my mini sessions and I can’t tell you how much I enjoy watching your kids grow from year to year!
If you are a family who wants something a little smaller than a full session–fewer images and less cost–enough to document the ages and stages and get out that Christmas card, this is the session for you. Short and sweet, but gorgeous and fun–you should really think about signing up YOUR beautiful family for a spot. I only schedule family mini sessions ONCE a year, so if this is what you are looking for, be sure to grab a spot!
Because of the shorter timeframe, these sessions will mostly be portrait pictures (with everyone looking at the camera) and fewer interactive pictures. If you are wanting more interactive and lifestyle images in addition to those posed family portraits, then you will definitely want to book me for that full family session! (Adventurous and SO MUCH FUN, by the way, I love capturing all the personalities and expressions that come out during my regular family sessions!) So here is what you need to know about my mini sessions:
Who?
These mini sessions are for immediate family members only, as larger groups take more time than we have for the these special sessions.
When?
Saturday morning, October 18th and Sunday afternoon, October 19th (See timeslots below. As slots get filled, I will update this post.) Rain date will be the following Saturday morning, October 25th and Sunday afternoon, October 26th.
- Saturday 10:00am
- Saturday 10:20am
- Saturday 10:40am
- Saturday 11:00am
- Saturday 11:20am
- Saturday 11:40am
- Saturday 12:00pm
- Saturday 12:20pm
- Sunday 1:30pm
- Sunday 1:50pm
- Sunday 2:10pm
- Sunday 2:30pm
- Sunday 2:50pm
- Sunday 3:10pm
Where?
Forest Park–exact location in the park will be given two days before the session.
*Cost?
$295 for 8 artistically edited, high resolution digital images. (If I happen to get more images during our time together, you are welcome to purchase all the edited images for $425, as well as add any professionally finished print products.) To book a spot, you will need to sign a contract and pay a $100 retainer fee, which will be applied as credit towards your final purchase. Both of these can be taken care of online in just a couple minutes! Breaking it down:
- $100 to book session
- Additional $195 due after session is edited for 8 high resolution digital images OR
- Additional $325 after session is edited for entire edited gallery of high resolution digital images
- Christmas cards, prints, products also available for an additional cost
*Please note, Missouri sales tax will be added to your total.
For my mini sessions only, you are welcome to choose your images through an online gallery sent to you after I have finished editing OR you may set up an appointment to go over the images together. (I recommend setting up an appointment if you think you would like to make any professional print purchases. My custom Christmas cards are GORGEOUS, by the way!)
Wardrobe and Styling?
I can help with that! All families who book will be sent a link to my styling service to help you choose your outfits if you want some extra help.
Pets
This one can be a tricky one for mini sessions. I LOVE including pets in family pictures! But if you have a pet that doesn’t cooperate well, we are going to be constrained for time to get that beautiful portrait. So use your best judgement, if you think your favorite furry friend will behave for that family picture, bring him or her along! Or consider bringing along a “pet friend” who can keep your pet on a leash just out of frame in case your pet isn’t cooperating.
Mini Session Limitations
Because these sessions are super short compared to my regular family sessions, we don’t have much time for everyone to warm up in front of the camera and get used to me. I focus primarily on those handful of posed images, where faces are looking at the camera and smiling. I do try to get the most authentic smiles and expressions as possible, but it doesn’t always happen in every mini session due to the time constraints. If you think your family would do better with more time, do consider scheduling a regular family session.
When will I get my pictures?
It takes me about two weeks to finish editing mini sessions. Once final payment is made, you will receive a link to download your purchased images.
Why?
Because. Because of all the possessions we have in this world, pictures of your family are one of the few things that grow more valuable over time. Grab a spot on my calendar, bring your family, and let me take care of the rest. Hope to see you soon!
To get your fall mini session scheduled, contact me HERE.
