5 Tips To Help You Rock Your Family Mini Session
With Shawn Morrissey Photography
If you’re reading this short little guide, it means that you probably have an upcoming family mini session scheduled with Shawn Morrissey Photography (YAY)!
You may have done mini sessions with other photographers in the past…but let me assure you that I am QUITE different! First of all, I work with my families to create tangible pieces of art of their families for their homes. From this experience, you will have pieces of wall art or a custom album that you can hang on your walls or hold in your hands. Tangible family heirlooms that you can LITERALLY hold on to for decades and even pass down to your children.
I also create a fun, fast-paced experience for you and your family so you can come create some special moments and get your kiddos back in the car before they get tired and hopefully avoid any meltdowns.
Lastly, I reveal your images to you in your own private reveal/ordering appointment as I guide you through narrowing down your dozens of incredible images to your absolute FAVS and help you pick out the perfect pieces of art to display in your home!
My Mini Sessions aren’t just meet me at a park, get 5 digital files, and “See Ya Later!”… My families come to me for the entire experience I offer their families and because they value beautiful Art they can display in their homes!
So…Hopefully this describes YOU and if so…here are 5 tips to help make sure you get the most of our mini session experience!
Wardrobe/Clothing Choices - When it comes to dressing your family for family photos, I often get asked on what families should/shouldn’t wear. Here’s the short list of do’ and don’ts. Avoid dressing your entire family in exactly the same outfit. This is something that everyone seems to do and it takes away from each family member’s individuality…also…it makes your photos look like everyone else’s. Avoid wearing flannels and neon colored clothing. Both are unflattering to skin tones and hard to expose for in camera. Avoid wearing graphic tshirts and other items of clothing that could seem “dated”. 10 years from now, you still want to be proud of your images…not embarrassed because of your TIGER KING T-shirt and Skinny Jeans you wore.
Try these tips instead…have family members alternate complimentary colors in their outfits. If you are taking Fall photos outdoors, don’t dress everyone in yellow. Have one member be in a yellow top while another wears orange, and mom can wear neutrals or browns, etc…
Do accessorize! Necklaces, scarves, watches, bracelets, unique shoes, etc…can all make each individual person’s outfit really POP.
Do plan for the location you are photographing at. If you are shooting downtown in a gritty urban backdrop, you should dress differently than if you were photographing in the forest, or on a beach. Choose outfits that match the vibe of the location you will shoot at.
ARRIVE TO YOUR SESSION EARLY! - Your mini session is just what it sounds like…short and sweet…20 minutes to be exact. If your session is scheduled for 6 pm and that’s exactly when you pull into the parking lot…it may take you 5-10 minutes to get parked, get the kids out of the car, get their clothes straightened up, and make it over to the shooting area. Now your 20 minute session is down to just 10 minutes. That’s not enough time to get all the great images you want or need. Plus…we can not go over your allotted time because there is another family scheduled right after you and they are on time and ready to shoot. So…if you are late, there is no rescheduling and you do not get extra time.
The best way to make the most of your 20 minute session is very simple…plan ahead and show up early. Show up at least 10 minutes BEFORE your schedules session. If your session is at 6 pm, pull into the lot at 5:50, park, get the family out of the car, and make your way to the shooting area. By that time, it will be close to your turn and we’ll rock and roll through 20 fast paced minutes of capturing authentic family moments!
Spontaneity is Key - Your mini session is short and sweet! 20 minutes! We will definitely try to get an amazing posed family photo with everyone looking at the camera and smiling but the reality is that children sometimes don’t want to sit still and behave as we’d like. No problem. Mini sessions are designed to be fast paced and capture your family in real moments. You tickling your kids, swinging them by their arms, your kids racing to get to you…I will have some activities ready to make your kids smile and laugh. So expect your session to capture more real moments than your standard in studio session (though we will still try and get that one traditional family image for you).
Know EXACTLY where to meet your photographer - If the location for the mini session is at a specific park (for example), you’ll want to know where exactly in that park to meet your photographer. For the photographer, mini sessions can last for hours…meeting family after family scheduled throughout the day. One location may have perfect light at 10 am but come 1 pm, the photographer may have switched locations for more suitable light. You don’t want to waste any of your 20 minutes searching for your photographer at the park. Simple solution…when you’re heading to the park, text your photographer where exactly to meet them. That way, you know exactly where to go and you aren’t dragging your family all over the park wasting your 20 minute time slot. Remember TIP #2 of arriving early to your session…these 2 tips together will help your session go as smoothly as possible!
Make the most of your photo reveal and ordering appointment - You’ve had your mini session and had a blast with your family…what’s next?? Well, I’ll be working hard to edit your images so they are worthy of being showcased in your home and I’ll put together an awesome video slideshow of all of your amazing images. Between 1 and 2 weeks after your session, we’ll schedule a time to meet (most of the time it’s at the family’s home) and I’ll reveal your images to you for the first time, and afterwards, I’ll help you select your absolute favorites and walk you through choosing, and ordering, any prints, wall art, or albums you may want. The absolute best way to maximize our photo reveal/ordering appointment is to schedule it on a day and time where your children will either be away at school, at grandma’s house, or gone for sports practice. Having your undivided attention for 30-45 minutes is KEY and will make this appointment stress free and actually a lot of fun. Another way to make your ordering session flawless is to have any decision makers attend it with us. Does your husband make all the purchasing decisions for the family?…Does your mom want to purchase any of your images for her home? Have ANY decision makers join us for the reveal/ordering appointment because ALL orders will be placed at this appointment. My mini sessions are tied to specials my vendors and labs are having so the prices on my products are only good for the day of your ordering appointment. So having a “kid-free” meeting time AND any decision makers attend as well, will insure we make the most of our appointment and I can get you your awesome family art ordered and back to you as easily as possible!
There you have it! If this is your first time joining ME for a mini session, these 5 tips will help you know what to expect and make your experience one that will leave you waiting for our next photoshoot! Your family is your masterpiece…showcase them like they are just that…with stunning wall art and heirloom quality albums in your home from Shawn Morrissey Photography! I can’t wait to work with you and your family! See you soon!