Branding, Engagements, MERGE, Portraits
Cozy Moments Mini Sessions 🌟
It may be heating up in the Bay Area, but I’m already dreaming of those crisp, cool nights where sweater weather rules and cozy movie nights are the vibe! 🍿 I’m beyond excited to kick off this year’s family mini-sessions with my favorite families!
I know it might feel early to think about family or brand photos but trust me, these sessions always book up faster than you can say “pumpkin spice latte.” That’s why I’m giving you a head start! Plus, I’ve got something extra fun planned this year (think colors!)!
Here’s the scoop
This year, I’m offering four different dates spread across September, October, and November, with a variety of locations and mini-session themes! Whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, I’ve got morning and afternoon slots to fit your busy schedule. And, because I love my email list crew, you’ll get the first chance to book before these spots disappear—because they always do, and fast!
What’s included:
- 20-Minute Shoot
- 20 Edited Digital Downloads (choose your faves from all the photos taken!)
- Online Gallery for easy access, sharing, and high-quality prints
- FREE Prep Guide to make sure you get the best photos ever
Who’s it for?
These sessions are perfect for everyone! Whether you’re a family of five, a couple in love, or an entrepreneur in need of fresh headshots, these minis are for you. Want to bring along the grandparents or even book a double session for your extended family? Let’s make it happen!
Investment
Only $300 for all of the above! (My custom portrait sessions are $650, so this is a steal!)
Don’t wait—these cozy, quick, and super affordable mini-sessions are only offered once a year, and they’re sure to go fast!
To reserve your session, just pick your date and time, and send over a $100 deposit. Let’s capture some beautiful moments together!
MERGE, Portraits

Top Tips for Successful Holiday Mini Sessions
Welcome, to our guide on making family mini-sessions a blast! What is a better way to spread joy than through capturing and sharing family photos for the holidays?
In this post, we’ll share tips that not only capture beautiful moments of your family’s growth and changes. Let’s dive in!
CHOOSE A PHOTOGRAPHER YOU HAVE FUN WITH
When you choose a photographer that is joyful and positive, you (and your family) will have fun while taking photos and the photo session will be another memory for your family. When you’re having fun, there will be way more photos that you love.
KEEP IT PLAYFUL
I love to give families actions to take instead of freezing a pose and saying cheese. I love to capture candid moments of tickling, chasing, or making funny faces. These shots not only showcase genuine connections but also add a dash of humor to the mix and allow me to photograph the laughter that ensues after.
If your child(ren) is shy, you can always take photos with them in your arms until they warm up!

Wardrobe Coordination
Try to coordinate outfits without being too matchy-matchy. A color scheme or theme can tie everyone together visually. Bright, cheerful colors work wonderfully and don’t forget to consider the location’s backdrop.
I always advise moms to pick an outfit they feel beautiful in and choose the colors in that outfit to pick the rest of the family and kids.
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
Mini sessions are, by nature, shorter than full sessions. Clients should plan around the best time for their family (see the next tip).
Plan to arrive early so you don’t miss the start time for mini sessions and allow for parking or traffic.

Happy Tummies and Rested Kids
To ensure children have the best chance of enjoying the photo session, parents are encouraged to feed them beforehand. A full tummy equals a happy, cooperative kiddo. Additionally, picking a time right after a nap can make a world of difference. Rested children are more likely to be cheerful and engaged.
Have parents bring along non-messy snacks just in case little ones need a quick energy boost. It’s a lifesaver if they get hungry during the session.
Be Prepared for the Unexpected
Kids can be unpredictable, so it’s a good idea to have baby wipes on hand. They come in handy for wiping runny noses, cleaning up dirt on faces, or handling any unexpected messes during the shoot or the drive over.
It’s a great idea to include all essentials like wipes, tissues, a spare change of clothes, and non-messy snacks in your diaper bag or purse for the session.

Professional Hair and Makeup
If your budget permits, consider professional hair and makeup. When you look and feel beautiful, your confidents shines through and it’s such a nice way to include self-care. The key here is to keep it natural, enhancing their features without overpowering them.
I have amazing hair and makeup artists that I can share with you!
Have Fun
Know that kids will be kids. They can be unpredictable and a good photographer will work with them in a way that brings out their playful side to ensure we get photos for mom and dad.
So, relax and have fun. Kids will feel your stress so be prepared but know we will get the shot!
Summary
Family mini-sessions are all about capturing moments of joy, love, and togetherness. Mini sessions allow families to take photos every year to document that growth.
My clients find taking photos every year also includes a family tradition and will create memories all on their own.
FAMILY MINI-SESSIONS?
Looking to schedule Fall or Holiday Photos? I have one indoor session and several outdoor sessions scheduled through November.
You can also book a specific time and date for a full family session!
Click Here
MERGE, Portraits
I know! It’s tough to think about taking or scheduling family photos with a photographer. You have to
- deal with husbands not being very excited (or even reluctant)
- think about what you are going to wear and what the rest of the family will wear
- or even try to lose those extra 10lbs (if you are anything like me).
Here are some tips that will help:
- What to Wear
Pick an outfit that you LOVE and feel you look your best in. Choose colors that coordinate (not matchy matchy) with yours. An example is you have a shirt with blue and yellow on it. You can have your husband wear blue and your son wear blue or yellow and the same with your daughter. 2-3 colors is key. Also, think about your home where you will hang your portrait. If your home is browns and beiges or earth tones and you choose to wear pastel colors, it may not look the best on your wall. Think about layers and accessories like sweaters, scarves, headbands, hats, etc, as they can add a modern twist and sassy flair to your images.
- Sleep and Eat
Sounds simple but it’s true. Everyone (and I mean everyone) looks better in photographs if they got a full night’s sleep. Additionally, if kids or especially husbands are hungry, you won’t get a lot of cooperation or happy images. It’s a lot to schedule and arrange for portraits, make sure that everyone has slept and is full. Also think about bringing some snacks that won’t mess up clothes. Examples would be crackers or those orange fishes. If you have a sucker or candy, it can not only get on the kids clothing, but sugar is the enemy for good portraits.
- Pretend the photo shoot is ½ earlier
All the rushing around that takes place prior to leaving the home is crazy. Moms always make sure that kids and husbands are ready and help with that. Then, they think oh, I don’t have time to do my hair (pony tail time). If you tell your family and plan for the photo shoot to be ½ hour earlier, you’ll be on time and calm. I like to encourage mothers to have their hair and makeup professionally done. This will prepare mom for her pictures and when mom is feeling pretty and confident, this will reflect on the rest of the family as well.
- Help for Dads/Husbands/Significant Others
I know that many dads dread the family photo session, so I often suggest that moms let dads know that this is a gift that will make you happy. Perhaps suggest that if he goes with the flow for this, you will not complain about the football/baseball/basketball he watches every weekend — or insert whatever is his special “unwind” time. For my husband it’s fishing. I always say he can have a whole day of fishing with no complaining from me, if I get one little photograph. It works like a charm!
- No “cheese” Please
So often I find parents urgently telling their kids to smile by saying, “say cheese” or getting frustrated. This almost always results in stiff, fake smiles. Don’t stress the kids or yourself out, just let your photographer handle it — that is our job. Simply step back, relax, and allow the photographer to naturally interact and talk with your children. This will result in natural, gorgeous smiles.
- Have fun
Pretend the camera isn’t even there. Just interact with your family by picking up your children and tossing them in the air or whispering to your husband how much you love him and appreciate him for being there for your family. Have fun, laugh, joke, kiss, giggle, embrace, snuggle, and play. Doing these things will allow the photographer to capture the emotion and true beauty of your family. This will result in beautifully natural photographs that you will treasure for generations to come.
Download a PDF by 6 Tips to Excellent Family Photos