Mini Sessions
What is a Mini Session, and Who is It For?
Mini sessions are a great way to capture beautiful, high-quality photos in a short and convenient time frame! Unlike full sessions, these are pre-scheduled events held on a specific date, at a set location, and booked back-to-back with other families. I carefully select the location, theme, and timing—often creating unique setups that wouldn’t typically be available for a single session. I.E. if I rent a vintage truck for $700, it only makes sense when I can book multiple families in a row!
Mini sessions are perfect if you love the theme or simply want a quick update for your walls. These sessions are typically 15-20 minutes long, providing just enough time to capture a handful of stunning images of your immediate family.
If a mini session sounds perfect for you, check out the upcoming themes and book your spot before they fill up!
What to Expect
1. Decide if a Mini Session is Right for You
Mini sessions are a great way to capture beautiful, professional photos in a short and convenient time frame, but they aren’t the best fit for everyone. These sessions are not ideal for extended family photos, outfit changes, or little ones who need extra time to warm up to new faces. If you’re looking for a fully personalized experience with flexible scheduling, multiple backdrops, or extra time for your child to get comfortable, a full session may be the better option.
If a mini session sounds like the perfect fit, you can find all available dates and themes on my booking page. Minis are typically released 3-6 weeks before they take place, with a couple of exceptions:
Holiday Minis: Pre-sale runs the last two weeks of July, with a second release in September.
Fall Minis: Released in August.
Both Holiday and Fall Minis sell out every single year, so don’t wait to grab your spot! To stay in the loop, join my newsletter and follow me on Facebook and Instagram for announcements.
2. Booking Your Session
To officially reserve your spot, a signed contract, completed questionnaire, and $100 retainer fee are required.
The questionnaire is more than just paperwork—it’s a way for me to truly get to know your family. The details you share help me connect with you (and specifically your kids) from the very first hello, making everyone feel seen, valued, and comfortable in front of the camera. This connection is what allows me to capture your family's true personality in a way that feels natural and genuine, so I encourage you to take your time filling it out. I promise, this isn’t just busy work—it’s the secret to help create photos that feel like your family.
3. You Session Date
Get ready for a fun, relaxed, and laughter-filled experience! During our time together, you can expect high energy, lots of funny noises, and probably a few happy squeals as I capture your family’s connection.
I’ll guide you into natural, comfortable positions—never stiff or overly posed—making small adjustments as needed to ensure everything looks just right in-camera. From there, I’ll use playful prompts to encourage genuine interactions, allowing your family's true personalities to shine.
I take plenty of photos to make sure we capture the perfect moments—both the beautifully composed shots and the in-between, candid magic that truly tells your story.
4. choose your favorite images
Within three days of your session, you'll receive an email with a link to your online proof gallery. This gallery will include 2-3 fully edited images, giving you a preview of the final look and feel of your photos. The rest of the gallery will feature unedited proofs—straight-from-the-camera images where you’ll focus on composition and expressions rather than final edits.
From here, you’ll select your favorites! The number of photos included in mini sessions vary, but most will include between 5-8 images of your choice. But you’ll also have the option to purchase additional images for full editing. If your proof gallery contains 25 images, you can even choose to upgrade and receive the entire collection.
5. Receive & Enjoy Your Final Gallery
Once you've selected your favorite images (don’t worry, I’ll guide you through this simple process!), I’ll get to work perfecting them. Your fully edited gallery will be delivered within two weeks, ready for you to download and cherish.
If you loved your experience as much as I did, I would truly appreciate a Google or Facebook review—it means the world to my business! And don’t forget to share your experience with friends and family—word-of-mouth referrals help me continue capturing beautiful moments for amazing families like yours.
The final step? Planning your next session! Whether it’s holiday portraits or making family photos an annual tradition, I can’t wait to see your family again and create more unforgettable memories together!
The Details
Pricing
Photography isn’t just about pictures—it’s about preserving the love, laughter, and fleeting moments that make up your story. These are the images you’ll look back on years from now, the ones your children will treasure, the ones that remind you just how beautiful this season of life truly is.
Prices vary depending on the mini session. See all current mini sessions below
What's New on the 'Gram
SUMMER SESSIONS - ALMOST COMPLETELY SOLD OUT!!!
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You guys have blown me away!
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Native Wildflower Sessions are SOLD OUT (please join the waitlist if still interested)
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Summer at Cantigny has 2 sessions left (1 on each date)
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Sunset in the Flower Field has 2 sessions left (1 on each date)
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Get ready for stunning photos coming your way! If you are still looking to book, get in there and get your session or join a waitlist!
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https://book.usesession.com/i/XpHwEW2Nz
ON SALE NOW
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Summer is officially underway!
3 Different locations over multiple dates.
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For more information and to book, link in bio and below
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https://book.usesession.com/i/XpHwEW2Nz
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#warrenvillephotographer #wheatonphotographer #NapervillePhotographer #minisessions #limitededition #limitededitionsessions #summertime #summertimevibes #summerishere #familyphotography
ON SALE ON MONDAY AT 4:00pm.
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* Unless you are a past of current client. If that`s YOU, these sessions (and all other late summer sessions) are on sale NOW. Check your email for link!
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Late summer at Cantigny is pure magic.
Golden sunsets, blooming flowers, and dreamy garden paths make the perfect setting for capturing your family just as you are in this season of life. 🌞💛
📸 Summer Mini Sessions go on sale Monday—limited dates available in August. Let’s freeze time before the school year rush begins.
ON SALE MONDAY at 4:00pm
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Unless you are a past or current client. If that`s you, check your email because these are available to you NOW.
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Sunset skies, fields of cosmos and dahlias, and space to explore without the crowds...
These flower field sessions are straight out of a dream.
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Limited spots. Two dates only. Let’s play in the petals. 💫
🐶 Dogs welcome (on leash!)
#familyphotographer #flowerfields #novellaphotography #napervillephotographer #wheatonphotographer #warrenvillephotographer #familyphotographer #chasinglight #sunsetsessions
ON SALE MONDAY AT 4pm
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Unless you are a past/current client then check your email because they are on sale for YOU now.
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A private prairie with native flowers, a stunning pond, and your favorite people (and yes, pups too!). 🐶💛
This gorgeous 5-acre spot in Homer Glen is all ours for family sessions—wildflowers, sun-drenched meadows, and space to run, explore, and splash around. Sessions are up to 40 minutes so we don’t have to rush the magic.
On Sale Monday—let’s make some memories. 🌞
#DogFriendlyPhotos #FamilyPhotographer #HomerGlenSessions #PondPlay #PrairieMagic #ChicagoFamilyPhotos #novellaphotography #familysessions #photographersnearme
email : knovellaphotography@gmail.com
follow me on Facebook and instagram @novella.photos
located in warrenville, il
serving Naperville, warrenville, Wheaton, winfield, aurora, Lombard, downers grove, Lisle, glen ellyn, Woodridge, oak brook, elmhurst, and other surrounding western suburbs of Chicago