A Polaroid camera sits among colorful books including The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue on a wooden shelf.

upcoming

mini photo

sessions

 

 

After 10+ years and hundreds of family sessions, I’ve learned this:

Short + intentional beats long + forced every single time.


That’s why mini sessions are now my primary way of photographing families.

 

 

Minimalist beige sparkle star illustration with one large and two small four-pointed stars.
Minimalist beige sparkle star illustration with one large and two small four-pointed stars.

Mini sessions are thoughtfully designed, pre-scheduled photo experiences created to capture beautiful, meaningful images without the overwhelm of a full-length session. They take place on specific dates, at curated locations, and are booked back-to-back, which allows me to dream up creative setups, unique themes, and environments that simply wouldn’t make sense for a single family alone.

These sessions are typically 15–20 minutes long - which, honestly, is the sweet spot. Kids stay engaged. Adults stay relaxed. No one melts down from boredom. And the result? Natural smiles, real connection, and images that actually feel like you.

Each mini session is:

Pre-themed and thoughtfully styled

Perfect for quick seasonal updates, holiday cards, or refreshing your walls

A tattooed mother gently nuzzles her swaddled newborn baby by a rustic wooden window.
Decorative beige moth illustration with detailed wings featuring eye patterns and botanical elements.

Designed for candid, movement-filled moments

Ideal for individuals who want high-quality imagery without committing to a full session

 

You’ll find all upcoming mini session themes listed below. Each section includes details on pricing, location, duration, image count, and headcount limits. Because each setup is unique, availability is limited - once spots fill, they’re gone.

If one speaks to you, grab it while you can. I can’t wait to make something a little bit magic with you.

 

 

(For full sessions or wedding inquiries, please visit the Pricing page. This page is dedicated exclusively to mini session bookings.)

 

Dark moody living room with brown leather Chesterfield sofa, Persian rug, and gallery wall decor.
Rustic wooden shelves with books, green plants, and framed botanical prints against a dark wall.
Weathered wooden A-frame ladder with paint bucket against stained canvas drop cloth in artist studio.
Rustic room renovation with paint-stained drop cloth, wooden ladder, and ornate ceiling detail.
Dark wall shelving display with books, plants, antler mount, pennant flag, and framed artwork.
Paint-splattered drop cloth draped over wooden frame with vintage ladder in rustic studio space with ornate tin ceiling.
Elegant crescent moon illustration with botanical leaf details and sparkling stars in cream tones.

Autumn After Dark

Grace E. Studio - Hamilton, Ohio

 

30 MINUTES
September 2026 - October 2026

 

The Storefront: A dramatic, moody space featuring rich black walls, vintage leather furnishings, and eclectic decor. Perfect for editorial sessions, dramatic portraits, and creative projects that demand bold, striking imagery.

Bright boho bedroom with linen bed, cowhide rug, vintage mirror, wood floors, and neutral decor.
Boho living room with caramel leather sofa, white armchair, tropical plants, and cowhide rug.
Spacious boho studio with bed, gray tufted sofa, cowhide rug, wood floors, and tall wooden doors.
Rustic boho studio with distressed accent wall, linen bed, cowhide rug, and neutral furnishings.
Open boho studio space with leather sofa, tufted chair, cowhide rug, plants, and warm wood floors.
Warm boho living area with caramel leather sofa, white armchair, tropical plants, and wainscoting.
Delicate line art illustration of a decorative moth with botanical antennae in cream tones.

Autumn at Home

Mill Street Studios - Lockland Ohio

 

30 MINUTES
September 2026 - October 2026

 

The Lifestyle Studio - A bright space with original hardwood floors and four large windows. The space features textured walls, a tufted neutral bed with soft bedding, and a leather couch. A stunning 10-foot-tall pocket door and warm wood details add character and charm, creating a versatile backdrop that works well for both light and cozy lifestyle imagery. This is a set that is available year round for mini sessions.

 

Holiday mini sessions

30 minutes

november 2026 - december 2026

 

Whimsical disco ball cherry illustration with sparkle accents on a light cream background.

It's time!!!!

Scene from Elf movie with Buddy the Elf excitedly yelling Santa I Know Him with text overlay GIF.

 

IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR: THE TIME FOR SOME GOOD, FUN Holiday MINI SESSIONS!

 

Ready or not, fall is in full swing and that means the holidays are just around the corner! Annual holiday photos are not only a great family tradition, but they also make great gifts for loved ones.  Cue the twinkle lights. Cue the matching outfits. Cue one child absolutely refusing to participate while another suddenly develops the energy of a caffeinated elf loose in the North Pole.

These sessions are short, festive, a little chaotic, and designed for exactly that. Snuggles, belly laughs, kids being weird, parents trying to hold it together, and all the wonderfully unhinged little moments that somehow become your favorite photos.

So grab the cute outfits, bribe the children accordingly, and prepare to spread Christmas cheer by smiling loudly for all to hear.

It’s holiday mini season, BABY

Check out the sets and book your holiday mini session here

party accordingly

FAQ

 

Are mini sessions just for families?

Of course not mini sessions are a great for couples, children, pets, announcements & more. It’s also a great time to get a few updated photos.

What about our family dog/cat?

Absolutely, pets are family too! Only certain studios are pet friendly, so double check when booking. And make sure they’re on a leash (my favorite leash & collar choices come from The Foggy Dog!) as at any locations there could be other animals around or the studios may have specific policies in place.

How many family members can come?

It’s always great to include your whole family, however the mini session price will include a specific number based on the studio.

Is 30 minutes enough time to get good photos?

I always assure my clients that 30 minutes is more than enough time to get great shots of their family. I know I can get every shot I need in about 15-20 minutes if everyone is cooperating. This leaves some wiggle room to play around and do what needs to be done to get the kids to cooperate!

In almost every mini-session I shoot, clients are pleasantly surprised with how well it goes.

What if we're running behind for the session?

Life happens and I totally understand that, but unfortunately due to these being a mini marathon, time being limited & other clients having scheduled times. If you are more than 5 minutes late, your session will have to be rescheduled for another mini day at the day's location. The registration fee is non-refundable. So please plan to arrive at least 5-10 minutes early.

What will happen to our mini session if it rains?

First off we are going to use our powers of positive thinking to keep any rain clouds far away from our sessions. (I'll conduct an anti-rain dance now). But since we can’t control Mother Nature’s mood swings, If we have to call any sessions for rain, your session can be rescheduled to any other mini session dates. if you’re unable to attend the makeup day, then your session will be credited towards the purchase of a full session at a later date.

Obviously if your mini session is indoors then THIS TOTALLY ISNT A CONCERN unless it is unsafe to leave our homes.

How many images do I receive?

You’ll receive a private online gallery with printing right to at minimum 20 photos (often more!)

What should we wear?

Best tip... be comfortable in whatever it is you pick! Have a patterned dress that you love to wear? Great, take colors from within the pattern and bring those colors into your family members outfits. Layers and textures look great and accessories are also good for adding little splashes of color. Your family doesn't have to be too matchy-matchy to produce a great photo! Instead, just choose a basic color palette and go from there!

Need a little help and inspiration when planning outfits for your mini-shoot? I have a whole pinterest page of inspiration here!

Alaynna's Pinterest of Awesome-ness

Will there be props?

I will have blankets and mugs, but other than that, we are relying on the natural charm of the locations and your awesome interactions with each other.

What does incredibly fast turnaround really mean?

For all my mini sessions I work really hard to have galleries for image selections back within 48-96 hours (2-4 days) after your shoot. Earning it the name incredibly fast turnaround. Most local photographers give a turn around of weeks but I seriously prioritize your galleries.

What if I want a longer session?

You can book back-to-back mini session time slots. If you’re wanting to include extended family members or are just wanting more photos. Or feel free to book a standard lifestyle session here

What is your cancellation policy?

Mini-sessions retainers are non-refundable. Please make sure before booking that you are available on the date and time you book! If you absolutely cannot make your session and you cancel with at least 24 hours notice, you will receive a credit towards a future session.

Will you help me prepare for the session?

Yes! I have custom resources to help you feel prepared going into the session. Plus, I’ll support you leading up to the session to take all of the guesswork out of the process. I’ll also make sure you know exactly what to expect after the session!

What if my kids are not in the mood?

I have little ones too, so I get it! Sometimes they are just not feeling it. In most cases, it’s fine and I’ll get great photos even if your kid(s) are slowly turning into adorable monsters. I also work to help your child feel comfortable with me. I never want to make a child feel uncomfortable with a camera! I respect their boundaries and sometimes they just need a breather. Want to know the real truth, though? Most of the time when parents are so worried about their kids behaving or looking at the camera, it’s actually the parents that aren’t looking at the camera! I'm guilty of it too! I promise even if things feel a little chaotic at times, the photos will turn out beautifully.

Dark grunge checkered pattern background with distressed black and gray squares texture.

Book your mini session here

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