Everything You Need to Know About Your Mini Family Session

Your Mini Prep Guide

Twenty minutes. Your real family. A little bit of magic.

Mini sessions move quickly, but that does not mean they need to feel rushed.

You do not need perfectly coordinated outfits, endlessly smiling children, or a family that magically follows every direction. You only need to arrive ready to be together.

For 20 minutes, I’ll guide the movement, watch for the connections, and help turn this little pocket of family time into photographs that feel like you.

TWO: Playing, Snuggling, Loving Your Session

Once we’ve decided on a time and date, I’ll send you a getting ready guide to help you through everything from choosing outfits to strategies for getting kids to cooperate. That guide has been refined over years of experience, so it typically answers most of the questions that come up, but I’m always happy to set up a time to chat! 

A few days before our session, I’ll reach out to double confirm our time and location… At that point, if the forecast is questionable, we can talk about rescheduling options. Otherwise, that’s the perfect time to ask any last-minute questions or fun ideas we haven’t discussed.

The day of the session, please block off about 2 hours. Typically we’re done within 45-90 minutes, but I don’t charge by the hour, so if there’s some kind of wardrobe malfunction of child meltdown, I like to stay flexible. If a parent needs to leave early for an important business meeting but the rest of the family is still available, that’s fine – just let me know ahead of time so I can focus on getting that parent in the frame more while they’re with us! 

Finally, inhale, exhale, and relax! I promise to give the grown-ups (and kids) breaks throughout the session as needed, and to make it as painless as possible for everyone involved. (:

Before your session

Choose what matters most

A mini session gives us time to create a beautiful and varied little collection, but it is not a condensed full session with an unlimited shot list.

Before we meet, think about the one or two photographs that would feel most meaningful to you. That might be:

• Everyone together

• The children together

• Each parent with the children

• A photograph of the parents together

• An individual portrait of each child

• One beautifully unposed, playful family moment

I will create as much variety as our time and your family’s rhythm allow, but knowing your top priority helps me protect time for what matters most.

If there is a specific relationship, grouping, accessibility consideration, or emotional detail you want me to understand, please tell me before the session.

Arrive early and ready

Our 20 minutes begin and end at the scheduled times. Mini sessions are booked closely together, so I cannot extend a session because of late arrival.

Please plan to:

• Arrive 15 minutes early

• Allow extra time for traffic and parking

• Use the restroom before checking in

• Finish snacks, wardrobe changes, and last-minute grooming beforehand

• Check in with my assistant at least 10 minutes before your start time

• Keep your phone nearby before the session, then tuck it away once we begin

Arriving early gives everyone a moment to breathe, look around, and transition into the experience without feeling hurried.

What should we wear?

I want you to feel comfortable, confident, and like yourselves.

Coordinating works beautifully. Matching everyone exactly is not necessary. Begin with a color palette or an overall feeling, then choose pieces that work together without looking like uniforms.

A few helpful guidelines:

• Choose clothing that fits comfortably and allows everyone to move, sit, cuddle, and play.

• Mix complementary colors, textures, and subtle patterns.

• Neutrals and lighter tones often feel soft, timeless, and beautifully balanced.

• Rich or brighter colors can feel playful, expressive, and full of seasonal nostalgia.

• Darker colors can feel polished and formal, especially when balanced with softer tones.

• Avoid large logos, prominent words, neon colors, and extremely tiny patterns that may distract or photograph unevenly.

• Check that undergarments, diapers, and undershirts remain covered while sitting, bending, or lifting children.

• Empty phones, keys, wallets, and bulky objects from your pockets before we begin.

• Choose shoes that make sense for the location and allow safe, comfortable movement.

For coastal sessions, expect wind, sand, and possibly cool air. Clothing with natural movement can photograph beautifully, but bring a simple layer for anyone who gets cold easily.

For wild or grassy locations, choose shoes that can safely handle uneven ground and avoid clothing that will make you anxious about a little dust, grass, or adventure.

Professional hair, makeup, or nail appointments are completely optional. If they help you feel cared for and confident, wonderful. If they add stress to the day, skip them. Feeling present matters more than feeling perfected.

You can find more visual inspiration on my Pinterest boards.

Most importantly, your clothing should support the experience rather than become the focus of it. The photographs are about your connection. The outfits simply help frame it.

How should we prepare the kids?

Keep the explanation light and positive. You might tell them:

“We’re going to meet Tía Lindsey and play together while she takes some pictures of our family.”

Try not to spend the day asking children to practice smiles or warning them that they need to behave. The less pressure they feel, the more room they have to be themselves.

You do not need to apologize if your child is shy, silly, serious, energetic, cautious, or slow to warm up. Those are all real parts of who they are right now.

All the faces are welcome

Smiles are wonderful, but they are not the only expressions worth remembering.

Pouts, thoughtful eyes, shy snuggles, belly laughs, serious little faces, flying hair, and the look your child gives you when they need reassurance can all become meaningful photographs.

Please try not to correct your children’s expressions or repeatedly ask them to smile at the camera. I’ll invite their attention when I need it. The rest of the time, love on them, talk to them, and let their personalities show up.

Skip the pressure and the bribes

Bribes can make children focus on finishing the session instead of enjoying what is happening. Rather than promising a reward for smiling or behaving, frame the session as a small family adventure.

You can talk about:

• Choosing a photograph for Grandma and Grandpa

• Sharing new pictures with cousins

• Making something your children can look back on when they are grown

• Showing their own children what your family looked and felt like in this season

• Getting to play, cuddle, explore, or have a family treat afterward

A snack or fun outing after the session is absolutely fine. It simply works better as part of the day than as payment for performing.

Please feed children beforehand and bring water. Avoid messy or strongly colored snacks immediately before the session. If you bring an emergency snack, choose something small, clean, and quick to finish.

During our 20 minutes

Once we begin, let me lead.

I may ask you to walk, cuddle, race, whisper, dance, tickle, or look at one another. Sometimes I’ll arrange everyone carefully, and sometimes I’ll step back and watch what unfolds.

A few things help tremendously:

• Stay close to your family unless I direct you otherwise.

• Keep interacting, even when you are not looking at the camera.

• Let me redirect the children when possible.

• Avoid checking phones or fixing every small detail between photographs.

• If something feels awkward for more than a moment, tell me.

• Trust that I am watching the light, composition, expressions, and time.

You do not need to know what to do with your hands. That is my job.

What should we bring?

Keep it simple. Too many belongings can slow us down.

Helpful items may include:

• Water

• A clean, quick snack for emergencies

• Wipes or tissues

• A brush or comb

• Lip balm

• A neutral blanket, if we have discussed using one

• One small comfort item for a child who may need it

Please leave large bags, extra toys, and unnecessary belongings in the car whenever it is safe to do so.

If you would like to include a meaningful object, pet, heirloom, or special prop, ask me beforehand so we can decide whether it fits comfortably into the session.

What if someone has a hard moment?

That is family life, and it is welcome here.

If a child becomes overwhelmed, we may pause, change activities, offer a cuddle, or photograph a different relationship for a moment. Twenty minutes moves quickly, but pushing harder rarely helps.

Your calm connection is more valuable than a perfect performance. Stay close, breathe, and trust me to adapt.

What happens after the session?

Within approximately four weeks, you’ll receive an online gallery of fully edited photographs.

Your session includes five high-resolution digital images. You’ll choose your five favorites from the finished gallery, with the option to purchase additional photographs if you fall in love with more.

These images are meant to live beyond your phone. Print them, frame them, send them to the grandparents, and let your children see themselves as part of a deeply loved family.

One final reminder

This does not need to be a perfect 20 minutes.

Your children do not need to perform. You do not need to hide the chaos or manufacture connection. Come ready to be close, move, laugh, regroup, and love on the people who belong to you.

I’ll take care of the rest.

Can’t wait to play!

Tía Lindsey
Lindsey Denman Photography

For more real-time fun, follow along at @LindseyDenmanPhoto.