Most likely if you're reading this you have a mini session with me coming up this week. This Field Note is focused around advice that will make your mini session easy breezy! Below are my top 5 tips & tricks to make a successful mini session. Hopefully, this helps you feel prepared and ready to get in front of my camera for an awesome experience.
Tip 1: Rested & Fed
Tip number one is about being rested and full. Making sure everyone has had a good night sleep, a nap, and a meal prior to your session is a great way to make sure your humans are happy! Well rested and well fed people are typically the happiest. You can even pack snacks like cheerios, pretzels, or crackers. Basically, any snack that won't be sticky or stain.
Tip 2: Car Clothes & Session Outfits
Dress your kids in car clothes for the adventure over to our location. This will give you peace of mind as you travel to location. Someone spill a drink? Someone have a blow out? No worries your Session Outfits are safely packed to get changed into prior to you session. This has been one of the best things I've recommended to my clients over the years.
Tip 3: Day of Timeline
Give yourself time to figure out how long it will take to get to our destination. Add about 10 mins for running late and traffic delays. I know how long it can take to get everyone out of the house, into the car, and onto the road. Planning for these delays ahead of time relieves the stress prior to your session.
Additionally, take a look at how far away the parking may be from our location. For example, destinations like Dalton Farms can have a 5-10 minute walk from the parking lot to where I'm set up. Add that time in into your plan. Give yourself additional time if you plan on changing into your session clothes, too.
Mini session days typically have back to back session, so if you run a little late that will take away from the time you have for your session. If you have any specific location questions feel free to reach out to me at helenm@helenmerzphotography.com.
Tip 4: Outfit Selection
Biggest tip here is to select clothing that you and your kids feel comfortable in. Things you can move freely in and highlight your personalities. Choose colors that compliment the landscape and make you feel fantastic.
If we're photographing at a tree farm, you may want to steer away from greens and towards oranges, reds, or blues that will pop against the green. If all fails, neutral colors are a fantastic option to select!
Tip 5: Post-Session Plan / Reward
A great thing to do is to couple your session with some sort of fun reward for after. Whether that's exploring what Dalton Farms has to offer (trike track, hay slide, ropes course, pick your own flowers, or food trucks!) or hitting up your favorite ice cream place, a special treat is a great incentive for your kids. Plus a great way to make memories as a family!
Let the kids know that this is the plan for after. Try not overuse this piece as it may lose it's value. I've found this reward works best for kids when parents drop a hint about this surprise / reward leading up to the session, the week of the session, and if needed in the middle-to-end of the session.
Have A Blast!
My approach ensures you enjoy being in front of my camera and that you get some incredible images. Get ready to play, tickle, smile, hug, embrace, dance, and wiggle! The more fun you have the more genuine your smiles are. I can't wait to see you very, very soon!
Interested in some more pre-session photography advice? Check out my Field Note: Preparing For A Successful Family Session.
