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. YouR 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
AHHHH!!!! Scream it from the rooftops! Wildflower Farm session times have been released! These are extremely limited and have sold out the last two years. Don`t miss your chance!
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Taking place Saturday, August 15th
5:45pm
6:15pm
6:45pm
7:15pm
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and Saturday, September 5th
5:00pm
5:30pm
6:00pm
6:30pm
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Booking link in Bio
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And YES, doggies are allowed (as long as they are picked up after and kept on a leash of course).
The Wildflower Farm #summervibes #familysession #wildflowers #wildflowerseason #engagementsession #seniorsunday #seniorsession #classof2027
Happy Early Easter and Happy SPRING!!!
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Wildflower Farm dates were released this morning and I am incredibly lucky to have secured TWO weekend dates this year.
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I will be publishing time slots on Monday, but couldn`t wait to get the dates out to you so you could start dreaming about summer nights in the garden 😊
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Wildflower Minis will be taking place on the evening of:
Saturday August 15th
Saturday September 5th
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Cannot WAIT to be back at the farm and taking beautiful pictures of your family.
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Time slots will be posted Monday! Until then...have a beautiful Easter holiday!
***Honored to just have been named one of Child Couture’s Top 10 Future is Female photographers 🥹
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Not every photo session starts with confidence…
But every single one deserves to end with it.
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The truth?
My clients don’t come to me because they feel “magazine-worthy”. They come to me as they are…a little unsure, a little nervous, a lot real.
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And the magic happens.
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Because it was never about being perfect.
It was always about being seen.
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These moments?
They’re the ones that get published.
Not because they’re staged…but because they are felt.
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You don’t need to be a model.
You just need to show up.
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I’ll take care of the rest ❤️
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#magazinefeature #publishedphotographer #napervillephotographer #wheatonphotographer #confidence
Oh I am so excited to show off this absolutely beautiful greenhouse I have rented for spring photographs. This is a privately owned greenhouse based in Homer Glen. The owner created the most amazing spots to snuggle up with your favorite people. Her set up is nearly complete and the remains flowers should be blooming shortly. Pictures here are going to be STUNNING!
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Only 4 spots left!!!
Taking place the early evening of April 26th
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See bio for link to this and all available sessions.
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#springsession #greenhouse #motherhoodsessions #napervillephotographer #wheatonphotographer #warrenvillephotographer #novellaphotography #illinoisphotographer #mommyandme #familyphotographer
POV: You didn’t just graduate…you celebrated it with your people…your hype crew.
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This wasn’t rushed.
This wasn’t “stand there and smile”
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This was:
Caps flying
Best friends ruling each other up
Belly laughs
“We did it” energy
And one last moment together before everything changes.
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We grabbed the classic cap & gown shots
We got the group hugs
And then…college tees and full celebration mode.
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These sessions are meant to be FUN
They are meant to be shared
And they’re meant to be remembered.
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That’s why we don’t do them on graduation day…we do them when you actually have time to soak it all in.
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Because this?
This is the good stuff ❤️
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#Capandgownphotos #classof2026 #bestfriendssession #napervillephotographer #wheatonphotographer
You don’t need the luck of the Irish…
but it might take a little speed 🍀
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Because my Bucket List sessions?
There’s only ONE of each… and they will go fast.
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Dreamy locations.
Creative concepts.
All the connection you love.
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Some sessions aren’t about filling a calendar.
They’re about filling my creative cup.
In 2026, I’m offering three exclusive Bucket List Sessions — locations and themes I’ve been dreaming about for years.
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Only ONE per concept.
These aren’t minis.
They’re storytelling sessions.
And they’re 50% off because I’m looking for the perfect fit.
If this sounds like you… let’s talk.
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Beach theme has already been claimed!
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✨ Go claim your spot before someone else gets lucky.
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Link for more info and to book in Bio
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