If you missed Part 1 of the Mini-Session Breakdown with Jill Caren Photo you can get caught up here! If you're ready to move past couples sessions and learn about all things family sessions, this is the place for you!
Again, during this past fall and winter season, my mini sessions took off! From couples and families to pregnancy announcements and newborn sessions and of course plenty of mini-sessions full of your four-legged loved ones! There really wasn't much I didn't photograph when it came to offering these mini-sessions. But I did notice, many clients and potential clients seemed to have questions surrounding my mini-sessions before booking. To help those who are searching for a photographer who offers mini-sessions for their next family moment big or small, I've decided to write a blog post diving into some of those main mini-session details. My hope is this post will not only inspire more families and couples to inquire about mini-sessions but also answer questions for anyone who has already booked. Part one of this two-part series will tackle all things couples with examples of couples mini-sessions I captured over this past 2021 fall and 2022 winter season. This blog is part two of my two-part series and will tackle all things families with examples of family mini-sessions documented during the 2021 and 2022 year. Whether your mini-session is set to be local to Kansas City or wherever across the globe, you can always expect the same level of commitment, intentionality, and fun heading into each session with Jill.
So What Is a Family Portrait Mini-Session with Jill Caren Photo?
A family portrait mini-session is a photography session or photoshoot intended for all types of families in a condensed time frame. These sessions are appropriate for expecting or growing families, families with news to share, families who just want seasonal photos to document their family dynamic as it is right now, extended families, families celebrating an anniversary, a milestone, a new home purchase, or really anything in between. Sometimes no reason at all is the best reason to hop in front of the camera and document what life looks like right now!
A family portrait mini-session with Jill Caren Photo is typically 30 to 45 minutes of coverage time at one location. During our time we'll capture candid moments, silly laughs, snuggles and cuddles, and so much more! And last but not least, we will be sure to get a few varieties of images with everyone smiling at the camera or a true portrait. From a family portrait mini-session, you can typically expect 40 to 60 final images delivered back to you on an online gallery for downloading, in a mix of color images and black and white images. You can expect your full final online gallery to be returned to you within 4 to 6 weeks of your session date with sneak peeks as soon as 24-48 hours after your session. Intrigued by the concept of a couples mini-session with Jill Caren Photo? Keep reading to find out more details!
Where Can Family Portrait Mini-Sessions with Jill Caren Photo Take Place?
The quick answer? ANYWHERE! Once your session is booked, I will send out my exclusive portrait session guide to help with outfit inspiration, location ideas, activity suggestions, props to consider, mood boards, and more. This guide is a huge help with thinking through details like "where" are we going to shoot. But in all honesty, anywhere is a serious answer! I love documenting families and couples all over the Kansas City metro area, from nature settings to downtown scenes, from in-home to in-studio, as long as we have ample natural light, there is no wrong location! The four families highlighted in this blog chose four very different locations for their own unique reasons. Learn why in the section below!
The family above wanted their mini family session to capture fall near their home of Parkville, so English Landing Park was the perfect backdrop. The couple below requested that their pregnancy announcement photos be at their childhood home location of Lake Winnebago! This location not only had familiar meaning, but it also allowed for their pup Rusty to be a part of the session as well as some of their immediate family members. I choose a location based on fall colors and their hidden gem qualities. For the third family in this blog post, we has their session at a local park in Leawood that was easy to access, showed signs of the fall season, and had unique outdoor qualities like the footbridge. This location was also great for including their family dog. Finally, the last family in this blog chose for their session to be in their home. Welcoming a sweet baby has its own pressures and stressors so being able to control the environment and allow it to be the comfort of home eases some of that initial pressure. As mentioned above, for mini-sessions I suggest choosing one location to allow for the best use of our time together.
Why Should I Book a Family Portrait Mini-Session with Jill Caren Photo?
If these family photos haven't convinced you already, I'm not sure what will! Lol all joking aside, whether you and your family or partner have something or nothing to celebrate but want to have this season of your lives documented then you should book a session. My family mini-sessions are intended to be budget-friendly, not time-consuming, easy to plan and look forward to, feel natural and representative of who you are, and most importantly, are intended to meet you right where you are. This could be in your home, in your yard or family farm, a nearby wildflower field or forest, at your favorite place in the city, the park where you picnic or ride bikes or play on the playground, your favorite local ice cream or pizza shop, wherever and whatever this season of life looks like I'll capture it so you can look back on this time for years to come. These mini-sessions are also an opportunity to highlight some of your favorite activities. My exclusive planning guide will no doubt inspire you and your family on how to make your session unique and fun. Already have some ideas in mind? That. Is. Awesome! I absolutely want your input and want you to feel a part of the planning process. If you have specific poses or grouping requests feel free to share those with me. If you've been dreaming up this session for a long time and have visual examples of what you'd like to get out of your session with me, I'd love to see those! More than anything your family portrait mini-session should be something you look forward to and look fondly back on.
The final photos can then be used as prints hanging on your walls, memories living in photo books, holiday cards, gifts to grandparents and friends, and of course, images to be posted all over social media! We'll laugh, you'll snuggle, cuddle, tickle, hold hands, you'll whisper sweet nothings, tell funny jokes, and just take time to slow down and experience life as it currently is. I think my favorite takeaway from a family portrait mini-session is the intentional time to slow down and just be with your loved ones without any distractions.
There is seriously no wrong way to have your life documented in photographs. Have more questions? Or ready to book your family portrait mini-session with Jill Caren Photo today? Click here to get started.
How Much Does it Cost to Book a Family Portrait Mini-Session with Jill Caren Photo?
Mini-sessions aren't only great for those on a time crunch or those who want a shorter session to accommodate small children or babies, but mini-sessions are also great for budget-friendly families and couples! At the time of writing this post (March 2022), family portrait mini-sessions with Jill Caren Photo are only $350 when local to Kansas City and include your exclusive educational guide and session planning assistance, our shoot time, and your online gallery with all final high-resolution JPG images, personal printing rights, and download rights. Once your final gallery is delivered, you will also receive exclusive coupons or discount codes to your personal print shop connected to your online gallery. Booking is simple and only requires a signed portrait agreement, and finally, payment can be made on the day of your session.
Standard travel rates will apply if I am coming specifically to photograph your session. However, travel rates are waived if I'm already in the area!
Ready to discuss your photo dreams and book your family portrait mini-session today? Click Here to get in touch!
What's The Difference Between a Mini-Session and a Full Documentary Portrait Session?
The main differences between my two portrait session offerings are the overall coverage length, location options, outfit options, and photo delivery process. A full documentary portrait session on average will last 1.5 to 2 hours, during our session we will choose more than one shoot location to add variety and contrast to your final gallery, you and your family members or partners can have various outfit changes to complement the locations, and when our time together is complete, you will receive all your final images on both an online gallery as well as a keepsake flash drive. The cost associated with a full documentary portrait session starts at $550 and does not include any additional travel rates. This type of more in-depth session certainly has its place and is appropriate for many families.
I hope this blog has answered all your initial families portrait mini-session questions and is getting you excited to book your session soon! I cannot wait to capture your tribe just as it is.
xo,
Jill Caren Stuefer