411 on MINI-SESSIONS | SW MN CHILDREN'S PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY

I've had a lot of inquiries and questions regarding mini-sessions~ so here's the 411 to help you understand the difference between the mini-sessions we offer and the standard session, I hope this information will assist you in determining which kind of session is right for you.

When you don't need a full session experience, mini-sessions are a great way to get quality portraits of your child at an affordable price. These sessions are offered 2-3 select weekdays every month, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. So what IS a mini-session?

ONE child/ONE outfit/ONE background
(additional clothing changes/drops $10 ea)
Shortened session- approx 20 minutes
Indoor Studio session only
10-15 images in your gallery to choose from
Receive VIP Pricing (save up to 30% off standard pricing) on all your portrait prints
$100 minimum order

And yes, -- we offer mini-session YEAR ROUND. It's a perfect session for those who want to capture their child several times through out the year, document a special occasion such as a lost tooth, new hair style, favorite dress/toy/stuffed animal or maybe a few shots in your sports gear.

Q: What days do you offer Mini-sessions?
A: The days vary each month. Sessions times are usually grouped together and so the earlier you book the more choice of bookings you'll have. Mini sessions are not offered weekends or evening hours.

Q: Can I have one or two shots outside?
A: Mini-sessions are on indoor/studio shots. If you would like outdoor images a standard session is for you.

Q: What is VIP Pricing?
A: VIP Pricing is special pricing usually offered when you purchase a collection package with a standard session. However, with mini-sessions you are given VIP Pricing for all your prints. VIP Pricing is a savings of anywhere from 10%-30%

Q: Are mini-sessions available for Family Sessions?
A: Family Sessions are available as Standard Sessions only.

Q: I only want one 8x10. Would a mini-session work for that?
A: Mini-sessions have a $100 minimum order requirement.

Q: Is the quality of the portraits or prints less than what I receive with a standard session?
A: Absolutely not! The quality of the work and product you receive is as fantastic as what you receive with a standard session. Since the mini-session is a quicker/simpler session with less images for our studio to edit and for you to select from, there is an additional savings passed on to you.

Q: What is the cost of mini-session vs a standard session?
A: Mini-sessions are $35 as compared to a standard session at $55. The mini-session has VIP pricing on everything, with a $100 minimum order. The standard session has a $150 minimum order, and VIP pricing is available on all your prints when you purchase $325 or more.

The image is a sample of a gallery from a mini-session, which typically shows 10-15 images in your gallery to choose from.
Hopefully that answers some of your questions on mini-sessions. Depending on what you're looking for, it maybe the perfect fit for you! If you have more questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

ROCK ON! | Urban Child Photography MN

As you can see, Luke is a stylin' dude- ready to rock! He came directly from the hair salon with his new faux mohawk ready for his mini-session. After we got some shots, he was willing to oblige me to try some more urban feeling shots that I felt would really bring out the rocker in the images....so we hit some alleys and other spots that caught my eye and I love how they turned out. Now if I could just locate that Tom and Jerry shirt for my own little rocker. Rock on, Luke!

Happy 4th of July | MN Child Photography

Happy 4th of July! It's been one of my favorite days ever since I was a child. On my ALL ABOUT ME Kindergarten Poster I list the 4th as my Favorite Holiday because "We go to Okabena and I get to drink 7 Up." (It didn't take a lot to thrill me as a child I guess). I still enjoy the Okabena Parade and my children do as well. I'm sharing one of my favorite images from S and C's childhood- taken 6 years ago~ gotta love the matching outfits! I of course have them saved and plan to do one of H next year in the little overalls. I have my work desk flanked my this image in a 24x30 canvas gallery wrap along with another pose of the day. Excuse the qualtiy of the image, I snapped a shot of it hanging right on my red wall. They are two of my favorite images in my house. Maybe if I even get my desk cleaned off I'll snap a shot.
So enjoy the day- remember those that make our country what it is, and snap a picture of your little firecrackers to remember this July 4th!

GOT HEADSHOTS? | Fairmont SW MN Photography

Take out your business card. What does it say about you? Does it say, Hey, I'm fun, capable, and hip- or does it say someone backed me up against a wall and took a picture of me for this here business card.
If it's the latter, it's time to think about having a headshot done that puts your best foot forward. A good headshot will flatter you, de-emphasize the things you don't like using lighting and editing and posing techniques. And there's no reason for it to be boring.
Vanessa came in for some headshots to use on some marketing pieces for her new Fairmont Salon, ECLIPZ. She's got a variety of looks and images to choose from. Let us rejuvenate your business card to feature a headshot you'll be proud to show off!

Cutie Pies

I recently had an opportunity to do portraits for two of my close high school (and post high school) friends. These little cutie pies of my girlfriend are just adorable and full of personality. I think it's always amazing how sometimes you can see things so differently through the lens- and I sure see a lot of his mamma in J and M. And I just love little Ms. M's personality because she is going to give her mother a run for her money. :) It all comes full circle, right? ;)

Family of Three ~ SW MN PHOTOGRAPHY

I really enjoyed taking the B family's portraits. They've gone through a lot the last year and I hope the images will remind them what a fabulous family of three they make!
Their daughter was a ray of sunshine and quite a cooperative little gal at that.
The big floppy hats have been quite popular lately and I love the images with them!

Photography 411~ Tips for a Great Child's Session

Once the session is scheduled, clients (let's face it, usually the mothers) are most concerned with what baby is going to wear, but there are some things that you can do to make your child's portrait session more successful and less stressful regardless of what they don for clothing. Who isn't up for that?

Sometimes I think a great child session has as much to do with child psychology as it does proper exposure and f-stops. Granted, there are always exceptions to the rule- but in general these are some tips, suggestions, & realizations I've put together after five years of creating childrens' portraits. It's sometimes difficult for me to give parents instruction, but I keep in mind everyone's goal is memorable images from the sessions, and it's my job to do whatever to make that happen. These are a few things I recommend.

1. As tempting as it is to offer Jr. the moon to make the session go slick, keep BRIBERY to a minimum. While a mention of a trip to McDonald's after the session is alright-some children may think they task of getting their pictures done must really be toturous to have to have the repeated promise of a treat. Instead, talk about what they will be doing that will be fun at the session-things they will see and do, etc. At the same time, don't over do it. Too much preparation and talk of what they are expected to do tends to worry them more than prepare them. My photography style is aimed at capturing your child as they are, and no preparation is really needed for that.

2. If you don't want it in the portrait, don't bring it inside with you. I'm talking about blankies, lovies, stuffed animals, etc. If a portrait in that heirloom dress while Janey clings to her tattered neon orange blankie is not what you envisioned, leave the blankie in the car, or put it out of site once inside. Trying to remove those lovies or pacifiers or other things that aren't meant to be in the portraits can cause sad feelings and tears.

3.Bring the bare minimum of people to your session. Extra siblings and adults usually prove distracting for a baby or toddler. It maybe helpful to bring one extra adult to watch a sibling when they are not getting pictures done- or to take the sibling home when their turn is done. It is usually not necessary to bring grandpa, grandma, aunts and godparents along for a single child and usually adds unnescessary stress to both child and you.

4. Resist the urge to allow your child to roam freely and explore. Not only is there lot of equipment that is not meant for little hands, but once a child becomes too comfortable roaming and touching everything in sight, they will loose all interest in staying on the set where they are placed. If they've explored all the props, it leaves very little to pull out to regain their attention once they start to wane.

5. Seen and not heard. You might think I'm talking about children, but actually I'm talking about the big ones..the adults! Usually it's best for mom or dad to stay in the child's sight as to not worry Jr. about being left, but at the same time it's important for mom/dad to be quiet so that the child's attention stays focussed on me. I can't count how many times a totally precious shot was ruined at the last moment when mom/dad say something to get baby's attention and now the perfect shot has baby looking right over me to the corner and a loss of eye contact with the lens. If your help in gaining baby's attention is needed, I am not shy to ask for your help.


6. Resist the urge to 'practice' smiling at home before the session. This usually results in a fake smile that looks nothing like what your child actually does when they are truly happy. Along those same lines- resist the urge to tell your child to say, "CHEESE!" Again, the result is not an authentic smile unique to your child. In fact, some of my favorite images of children, including my own, are images where they are not looking directly into the camera, or have a more pensive expression rather than a big grin. I've included a few favorite images that came to mind in this post.

7. Take an extra swipe with the wash-cloth. The lens catches every crumb and more that your child may have on his or her face, so take extra care in washing around their mouth and nose. For babies with chapped skin- I suggest a think layer of Vaseline on their cheeks at bedtime the night before. Don't fret about little bruises or scars as these can be touched up.

Finally, the day of the session, do what you can to make the day as stress free as possible. If your little one despises baths- don't insist on one. A good washcloth will do the trick in most cases.

As a mother myself, I know that portrait day can be one of the most stressful days~ but I hope these suggestions will come in helpful for planning your child's next portrait session and for achieving the kind of images you will treasure forever.