Three Tips to Prepare For Your Mini Session

Yay, you booked a mini session! Now what? Here are three tips to help you prepare!

1. Pick Your Outfits Early

Choosing your outfits early is the biggest advice I can give you to lessen your stress. Even though these sessions are short, you should still LOVE your outfits! It would be so sad if you looked back on these photos and wished you had worn something completely different.

I typically recommend dressier attire in light neutral colors because they always look amazing on everyone, are always in style, and photograph beautifully. For families, friend groups, and couples, the goal is to coordinate outfits but not necessarily “match.” When you book a mini session with me, I’ll send you a Style Guide that goes more in-depth about outfits! Above all, wear something that makes you feel comfortable and confident — that will truly make the biggest difference between photos you love and photos you like!

2. Prep Your Crew And Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff

If you have kids, I can’t stress how much of a difference it makes to talk to them about your upcoming photo session. They love to be in the know. The more they know what to expect, the smoother your session will likely be. We can’t control our kids' behavior (trust me, I know from experience with my little ones), so if they aren’t cooperating as expected, I encourage you to relax, embrace the chaos, and have fun with it! A photo session is not the time to be disciplining, yelling, or fighting with your kids. I promise you, even the craziness is worth documenting!

It’s also a good idea to help your kids practice smiling. Some kids have a hard time with it, so try to make a game out of it! I know some kids don’t respond well with “cheese,” so you might have to try out different words or phrases for yours. My son usually gives a great smile if we say “show me an excited face!”

3. Rest, Hydrate, and Eat

I highly suggest getting plenty of rest, hydration, and nourishment before your session. In general, people who are rested and fed are happier, and that shows in your photos! You can definitely bring water and snacks with you, and I’ll be sure to check that you don’t have any food stuck in your teeth when you show off your beautiful smile!

I hope these tips help you plan and prepare for your fun, stress-free photo session!