Studio Family Mini

Everything You Need to Know Before Your Session

I'm so excited to welcome your family into the studio!

Family photos are about capturing this season of life—the smiles, the snuggles, the laughter, and all the little personalities that make your family unique.

I know getting everyone dressed, ready, and out the door can sometimes feel like a lot, especially with little ones! I've put together a few tips to help make your session as smooth, relaxed, and enjoyable as possible.

1. What to Wear

Coordinating outfits doesn't mean everyone needs to match!

I recommend choosing 2–4 complementary colors and building your family's outfits around them. Soft neutrals, earthy tones, and muted colors tend to photograph beautifully in the studio.

A few outfit tips:

• Choose coordinating colors rather than identical outfits.
• Mix textures like linen, knits, cotton, and soft fabrics to add dimension.
• Avoid large logos, neon colors, and busy graphics that can distract from your faces.
• Make sure clothing fits comfortably, especially for little ones who will be sitting, standing, and snuggling.
• Don't forget about shoes! Neutral or simple footwear photographs best. Bare feet can also be a great option depending on the setup.

Need help choosing outfits? You're always welcome to send me photos of what you're considering!

2. Preparing Your Little Ones

One of the best things you can do before your session is keep things positive and low-pressure.

Talk to your children about coming to the studio to have some fun and take pictures together.

A few things that help:

Make sure everyone has eaten before arriving. Hungry kiddos are rarely happy kiddos!

Try to schedule naps and rest around your session whenever possible.

Bring a small, non-messy snack or favorite comfort item if needed.

Avoid making promises or putting pressure on children to smile or behave perfectly.

Let your kids know we'll be playing, laughing, and spending time together!

Please don't worry if your child is shy, energetic, or takes a little time to warm up. I work with children of all ages and personalities, and I'll do my best to help everyone feel comfortable.

3. Arrive Ready to Be Photographed

Mini sessions are short and scheduled back-to-back, so arriving prepared helps us make the most of every minute.

Try and arrive 5–10 minutes early, fully dressed and ready for your session.

Before leaving home, double-check:

Faces are clean and free of food, nasal discharge, or other residue.

Hair is brushed and styled.

Hands and fingernails are clean.

Temporary tattoos are removed.

Outfits are free of noticeable stains and wrinkles.

Diapers are changed and little ones have used the restroom if needed.

I always recommend doing one final face and hair check before entering the studio!

4. What to Expect During Your Session

Once you arrive, I'll take the lead!

I'll guide your family through different poses and combinations to capture a variety of images within your session time.

Depending on your family and how everyone is doing, we'll work toward capturing:

Everyone together, smiling at the camera.

Natural snuggles and interactions.

Parents with their children.

Siblings together.

Sweet candid moments and genuine expressions.

Because mini sessions are limited in time, not every combination or pose can be guaranteed. I'll prioritize capturing a beautiful variety of your family together.

You don't need to know how to pose! That's my job, and I'll help guide you every step of the way.

5. Parents, Here's My Biggest Tip!

Please don't stress about getting your children to smile!

I know it's tempting to tell your little ones to look at the camera, sit still, or say cheese, but sometimes that creates more pressure than necessary.

Instead, focus on interacting with your children and enjoying the moment.

Snuggle them, tickle them, give them kisses, and let their personalities shine!

If your child is having a difficult moment, please allow me to redirect them. Sometimes a little patience, silliness, or a change of approach is all we need. And if your child isn't interested in smiling? That's okay, too! Some of my favorite images are the sweet, serious expressions that capture who they are at that age.

My biggest request for parents: Keep smiling and looking toward the camera when I ask, even if your child isn't cooperating!

You never know when I'll catch that perfect little smile, and I want you to be ready when it happens!

6. A Few Important Reminders

Session Timing

Please arrive on time. Late arrivals will have their session time reduced, as I cannot extend appointments into another family's scheduled session.

Immediate Family Only

Family mini sessions are designed for parents and their children. Extended family members and multiple households require separate arrangements.

No Outfit Changes

Please arrive dressed and ready to be photographed. Outfit changes are not included in mini sessions.

Health & Wellness

Please do not bring sick family members into the studio. If anyone is experiencing a fever, persistent wet cough, or other symptoms of a contagious illness, please contact me before your session.

Keeping the studio a healthy environment is especially important because I photograph newborns and young children.

7. A Little Bribery Never Hurts!

Let's be real—sometimes a little bribery goes a long way with kids, and I'm absolutely okay with that!

I keep stickers and Dum Dums on hand as fun little rewards to help encourage and motivate your little ones. Depending on the child, I may offer a sticker at the beginning of the session or promise a special treat once we're finished!

However, I do have one very important rule: Please do not give your child treats, candy, or snacks in the middle of their session.

I know it can be tempting to give in when your little one starts getting frustrated or asking for their reward, but doing so often makes things more difficult. Once a child receives their treat, it can be challenging to redirect their attention back to photos.

Not to mention, I will not remove candy, snacks, or treats from hands or mouths during editing. This type of retouching is not included in your session and may not be possible to edit naturally.

My biggest tip? Stay consistent! If we tell your child they'll receive a treat after photos, let's stick to that plan together.

I promise I'm not afraid to be silly, make funny noises, or pull out a few tricks to get those smiles! Let me work my magic before we bring out the treats.

8. Most Importantly, Enjoy This Time Together!

Your children don't need to sit perfectly still, your family doesn't need to look like a magazine cover, and every photo doesn't need to have everyone looking directly at the camera.

These photos are about your family, exactly as you are in this season of life.

The missing teeth, the silly expressions, the tight hugs, and those little hands holding yours—those are the moments that become so meaningful as the years go by.

So take the pressure off yourself, enjoy your family, and let me handle the photography!

I can't wait to capture some beautiful memories for you.

See you soon!

What to bring ?