Telling The Story of your Family (in 30 minutes)

Mini Sessions. The name brings along with it a certain connotation. And there are many photographers who do these typical mini sessions, do them well and their clients are thrilled that they have at least one “good” picture where all the kids are looking and no one is crying and their husband is happy the whole session was done quickly. And as a mom of 3 boys under the age of 7, I get it. I totally do. And this type of cookie cutter set up works for a lot of people. But, as a photographer, it doesn’t work for me.
My passion is creating portraits that evoke emotion. Showcasing connection. Capturing all the details you don’t want to forget from this crazy time in your life as a parent. Your son’s crazy long eyelashes, your daughter’s dimple, the chubby little ankle rolls your baby has, the way your wife’s hand fits so well in yours. All of these things that tell your family’s special and one-of-a-kind story.

And some may argue that it’s not possible to do that in a mini session. It’s only 30 minutes, what kind of emotion and storytelling can you actually accomplish in that time?   And I would counter that you can actually accomplish quite a bit. Can you get everything? No, of course not, and that’s why I always encourage my families to book a full family session, so we can spend more time together and really capture your story to the fullest extent.

However, if you book a mini session with me, you need to know that it is not going to be cookie cutter. It’s not going to be posed. There’s not going to be props (other than, maybe a quilt). It’s not going to be anything other than authentically you. You have one job when you come to a session with me: play with your babies. That’s it. For 30 minutes. You just need to play. And laugh. And snuggle.

I’m going to have you running after your kids, dancing with your husband, tickling the bellies of your babies and hopefully, forgetting that I’m there. Because my job is to make you comfortable, put you at ease so that you can be real. I don’t want your forced smiles or your stiff poses. I want the real stuff. All of it. And yes, that means the meltdowns, the tears, the not listening, the doing-everything-but-what-you-want-them-to-do kids. I except that to happen. I anticipate it. I have three of those kids at home. That’s my wheelhouse.

But, can I tell you a secret?

When you are having fun, when you are relaxed, your kids will follow. Maybe not right away. Maybe not at first. But they’ll get there. “But we only have 30 minutes!?!?” you exclaim. Yup. And we’ll still be able to get them to come around. Trust me.

Below are the moments from my mini sessions in October. All 37 of them. And if you were a client of mine, thank you – THANK YOU for trusting me to capture your family, and thank you for going along with my ideas. I am most proud of this work. And I am most humbled to be able to share your stories.