Client Guide | Mini Sessions
The plus of a mini-session is, it’s just that! A small, quick session, where you & your family get in and out, take a few pictures, and have some fun! You get a few great portraits to cherish forever, at an economic price. We are huge fans of Mini Sessions here at Emily Kern Photography and we love coming up with new and exciting Minis as well as bringing some old favorites back each and every year!
However, there are issues that should always be considered! If your child is extremely shy, a mini-session can be challenging for them. We find we can often get a shy child to completely warm up to us…but sometimes it’s towards the end of the session.
If you feel like your child isn’t a good fit for a mini-session, consider scheduling a full session.
But don’t worry…most mini-sessions go very smoothly. Even the most outgoing child can feel a bit unsure about it all, but rest assured, we will do our absolute best to make you and your children comfortable. To help make it a success, here are a few quick tips to consider:
Arrive at least 10 minutes early for your scheduled time. Take out the worry of rushing by planning ahead, and your children will feel less rushed, too!
Bribery is not always necessary to get your child to cooperate, although a little incentive doesn’t hurt! Promise them that they are going to have a great time (I’m a fun photographer and my assistant is fun too!) and getting their pictures taken will be a blast. An incentive of a treat or fun event after their session may help, but they don’t need to “perform” for me…it is my job to make this fun for everyone! We also have complimentary snacks and prizes for all of our clients!
We know your kiddo may have a favorite toy or stuffed animal but maybe think twice about bringing it along to your session. We will not be able to remove any unwanted items in your photos in post-editing so if you do not want them in your photo, please leave them behind!
Some babies and children may be more comfortable without a parent watching. Feel free to step out of their view and watch from a distance (this also gets them to look at the camera and not off to the side!). For any shots with props or a younger child, we will of course have a parent “spot” for safety.
Make sure to dress your child comfortably. Please come dressed and bring any accessories or props you specifically want in your images. There will be no outfit changes due to the limited time of each session!
We know this is exciting and of course, your littles are the cutest thing in the world but please refrain from taking photos behind the photographer! This can be distracting to the kids and we would hate for them to not be looking at the camera!
When you arrive we will most likely be working with the client booked before you. Please do not disrupt that session or distract the children being photographed so we can ensure we will have a full 15 minutes to work with each family!
Lastly, not only do we want to capture timeless photos for your family to cherish forever, but we also believe in creating fun experiences that also leave a lasting impression! We will make jokes, be silly, and have some laughs while making some memories! Get ready for a fun-filled time!