Have you ever thought,  “The rules that apply to other people don’t really apply to me?”

I did!

In the past, my quick-but-not-accurate mind thought I was incredibly gifted and, by the strength of my abundant, extra-special brain cells, I could accomplish more than others in the same amount of time.

All humans are born with different advantages and disadvantages, but there is one thing that is distributed equally to all: 24 hours of time. Per day.  No one gets 26, no one gets 17. The billionaire, the beggar; the modern millennial, the ancient Mesopotamians.  We all get to choose how to spend this precious commodity, and I chose to spend my early adult life hustling to outwork the enemy. I calculated that “more was better and faster was best”. (If you are over forty, you know what’s coming and you’re smiling with familiarity. If you’re under forty- please keep reading and take these words to heart).

Many photographers offer “Mini Sessions” because it’s quick cash flow for their business. They’ll do this often around Christmas, because the idea of mini sessions seems fun and holiday-ish; and sometimes people have to have a reason to stop and come in for pictures.

I had seen many other photographers on Facebook offering mini sessions. Plus I had a few people ask me if I did them.  I do like to give people what they ask for, so one year I decided to offer mini sessions.  

I like clear definitions, so let me explain what a mini session is.  Mini means “small in relation to others of the same kind,” and the “same kind” we’re referencing here is a Portrait Session.  Portrait Photography, not be confused with event photography or street photography,  is aimed toward capturing the personality of a person by using effective lighting, backdrops and poses*. So a “mini” portrait session, by definition, is spending less time to capture personalities, less time on composition, and economizing creativity by using the same lights and backdrop for everyone, regardless if it’s the best choice for a quality portrait. The idea is that the photographer spends little time and little money in hopes the customer get something cute; if not, then no harm is done because it wasn’t too expensive and no one spent much time.

I had my reservations about this, but I really wanted to listen to the two people that asked me about it… so I offered them.

The initial buzz worked- at a low price, people didn’t have to think about it too much and I booked several, quickly.

Then- mini day came.  My first one was five minutes late, because life happens and it happens profusely to families with small children.  One kid looked scared, one kid had questions, Mom had a forced smile on her face, and Dad had the expression of a man determined to do his whole duty. Curious kiddo Callie (not her real name) was fascinated by the studio and wandered around, touching and asking about everything.  Me, too, Callie! I feel the same way when I walk in to a great store! But Mom hissed under her breath, “We only have ten minutes- get over there and SMILE.”

I understood why she said that.  I might have said the same thing if I were in her shoes.  But I felt like the magic was sucked from the room.

I took the pictures.  It only took ten minutes.  Maybe even less, because I am quick at what I do.  But it wasn’t fun and it wasn’t remarkable.

The day went on, and we had a few kiddos who gave me some good smiles. Some families were very early and waited patiently up front for their turn. We had a funny batch of siblings who were hooting with laughter and giving me hilarious, original poses- but we had to wrap it up because the next kids were waiting in line.  I ended the day exhausted and dreading to go through all the pictures I had taken. Because I didn’t have time to check my work as I went, I had overshot in hopes that I would at least get something usable. Now I had multiple mediocre pictures to separate.

The next step was the Ordering Appointment- when people came back to review the pictures.  I wasn’t excited to show them the results.  Instead of the usual anticipation sparking down to my toes, my heart was apprehensive and I didn’t want to show these second-rate pictures. 

If I had been able to talk to them before hand, if I had given myself more margin- I could have done SO much better.  Sure, the actual session time was shorter, but Mom still spent the same amount of time getting everyone ready and getting them there.  She spent the same amount of money on clothes.  She did the same amount of work, and my images weren’t as good as they could have been. I did not like that feeling.

Christmas is a holiday- and the very meaning of the word “holiday” is to celebrate and enjoy the moment!  Rushing people through ended up diminishing the moment.  

When we feel rushed, it’s stressful to parents, kids AND the photographer.  As I’ve gotten older, I’ve discovered that rushing through an enjoyable activity actually makes the activity less enjoyable.  Simple things are so much better when you allow time to process it.  (I think this is why old people sit on the front porch and talk.  They’ve tried the hustle and found it lacking).

My heart’s desire was to listen to people and give them what they wanted.  But I’ve learned a few things-

1. People ask for some things because they may not know what else to ask.

2. Regarding “Mini Sessions,” they want them to be “mini” on actual time spent being photographed, but they don’t want to feel constrained by time. (Like how we want jeans to be stretchy but not lose their shape, ultra-trendy but timeless, high-quality but low price, easy to purchase but sold out for others, sexy but conservative, conscious but cheaply produced- you see where I’m going).

3. And here’s a valid concern of clients-  why take a long time to do a Session when the kids (and dads) have short attention spans? 

These thoughts circled in my mind, and I dug deeper to see how I could truly help people.  It seemed what they were really saying was-

1. I love my children so much and I want pictures of them because they’re growing up and changing fast.

2. Since we’re so busy, I feel bad about spending time on pictures.  Can you help me fit it in?

3. I don’t want to feel rushed.  I don’t want to wait in line. I don’t want to waste time and money and these pictures not turn out.  I really want attention to detail, I want to capture their personalities, and I’d like all this -preferably- in a comfortable, stimulation-free environment.  Does something like this exist? Probably not, and I don’t want to seem unrealistic, so I’ll minimize my desires and just settle for that “mini session” because it’s conventional and I hate to ask for more.

After much time spent thinking ABOUT this, I have a solution I’d like to offer you.

A Christmas Portrait Session.  Not “mini”, just my customary high quality Portrait Session where I take the time to “measure twice, cut once.”  I simply find out with a phone call what’s important to you, where your kids are at (personality-wise) and what is your main concern. Then I hang up and draw out a plan.  It takes no extra time on your end- it’s just me getting my download of info so I’m not randomly photographing the next person in line.

For Christmas, I design a large, three-dimensional set where I can move around because different groups/individuals need different poses to capture their personalities.

I space my Session times further apart so there are no issues if you have traffic delays or a toddler meltdown. This gives me time to perfect the details for you. The Session isn’t necessarily longer- I just have wider margins to keep trying if things don’t go as smoothly as planned. Plus, if things are going REALLY WELL and we’re experiencing something magical, I’ve got the freedom to keep going. 

It’s not the noisy mall- it’s a beautiful studio that is cozy and welcoming to children.  I’ve got mirrors to double-check hair.  Dressing rooms in case Dad is coming in straight from work.  Soft music. Space for kids to wander and constrained spaces if we need to keep some from wandering, ha. 

You ARE busy.  You don’t have time for mistakes or low quality, especially when it comes to portraits of your children.  Family time is irreplaceable and it gets rarer as they grow**.  I don’t want to spend this focused family time on anything less than quality. People don’t get together for photographs often, so I need to make sure it’s a fun experience AND you get long-lasting quality photographs from it.  

Christmastime IS magical! Don’t let the world drain the fun out of it.  Our 24 hours are a precious gift. Let me help you get the most out of them.  I will be thrilled to show you the portraits we make together! I’m feeling cheerful already!

My Christmas Portrait Sessions are available this year on Friday, November 17th and Saturday, November 18th. 

I have special packages, only available for holidays.  For my time spent creatively photographing your family, my standard rate is a Session fee of 175.00 with prints purchased separately, starting at 125.00.  For this holiday event, there’s only a deposit of 100.00 (Friday) or 150.00 (Saturday) which goes partially toward your purchase, partially for my creative time. The minimum package is 399 and includes four poses- four high quality archival prints, plus the high resolution digital files of those prints. Or you can swap the four prints for a larger wall portrait to display as yearly Christmas decor! 

Of course, none of that do you have to decide until you see how the photos turn out.  Other speciality items will be available, too, like a high-end leather album, a unique Calotype collage, and packages with more poses and digital files.  If you sign up for our email newsletter, I’ll send you the special Christmas price list- just click here!

You can book this special event online, choosing either Friday or Saturday.

Questions? I love to chat.  Call the studio at 417-658-8865.  

1. *Francis, Kathleen (2007). The Focal Encyclopedia of Photography. Focal Press. p. 341. ISBN 978-0240807409

2. **Nobody knows this more than grandparents. Bring them in for a few photos with your kids! Please. 😢