First things first… if you haven’t booked a mini session yet, DO IT! It’s a fun and affordable way to capture your family’s milestones, without paying a fortune! We have our entire 2022 mini schedule posted on our website. And we are so excited for some of the fun themes we have planned! Check it out.

Now that you have your session booked, let’s talk about preparing for your session. Because we all know photos can be fun, but stressful.

We totally get it! We have little ones ranging in ages from teething babies to moody preteens. We’ve been in your shoes a million times over with our own families.

So here are some tips to help you come prepared and, in turn, help us capture beautiful memories that showcase your family’s current phase of life. Let’s work together to get the most out of your mini session!

Allow Plenty of Getting Ready Time… And Then Some

It’s extremely important that you show up to your mini session on time. Since we book these back to back, we aren’t allowed much leeway in the schedule. Here’s what you should do the night before your session:

• Map quest where you need to go the night before so you don’t get lost.
• Coordinate outfits and have everything sitting out, ready for the day.
• Decide how you want to style hair, what accessories you want to wear, etc.
• Simply, enter into your mini session day with a game plan for the whole family!

Unfortunately, if you show up late, that’ll cut into your session time. We have to remain on schedule to ensure each of our clients are allowed their allocated time slot. Please please please, make sure you arrive about 10 minutes early to your session!

BUILD UP SOME HYPE

Instead of saying: “we’re getting professional photos taken.” Try: “we’re going to meet some new, fun friends!” If kids think they’re going to do something boring and “professional,” they’ll come with a less than thrilled attitude. Tell them the family is going on a little adventure.

The amazing thing about digital photography is we can snap away and get some really sweet candid photos if your children are camera shy.

YES, BRIBE THE KIDS!

It works! Bring fruit snacks or candy. Tell them they can have a special treat if they pose for a few photos. Or better yet, make the entire day special.

After the session, do something fun as a family… go mini golfing, let your children pick their favorite restaurant to eat at, or go get ice cream. Talk up the day and make it into something they’ll be really excited about.

COME PREPARED

If you have younger kids, bring a few musical and light-up toys, their favorite stuffed animal, a pacifier, or a sippy cup of their favorite drink. Bubbles are great too! They are a wonderful distraction and children have a blast with them. 

MOST IMPORTANTLY, EMBRACE IT

This is your life right now. Whether that’s a cranky baby who won’t sleep or a child you’re sending off to college. This. Is. Life. And it’s beautiful! No matter what, you’ll be so glad you documented this phase in your life.