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
L A S T C H A N C E ! ! !
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I can’t believe we are here…but it’s my last full weekend of sessions this holiday season. In the last month, I have seen 55 families. Some who are just starting their journey with me, some clients who have been supporting me since the beginning and some who are quickly becoming regulars. It has been just so amazing to see your family’s connection and I’m so honored to be seeing it year after year. THANK YOU for trusting me with capturing life’s precious moments.
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It’s not too late if you haven’t gotten your session in. This weekend I have 4 sessions left. 2 Red Truck/Tree Lot Combo sessions and 2 Wrapped in Red Sessions.
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Red truck…I honestly can’t believe there are still 2 sessions up for grabs! As of right now, the weatherman tells me It’s going to be 50 degrees with sun!!! No frozen smiles this weekend! Perfect weekend for these to happen.
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Wrapped in Red. Well…this session speaks for itself.
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https://book.usesession.com/i/XpHwEW2Nz
Still hunting for the perfect holiday pics?
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Mother Nature totally rained on our parade last weekend, so our Red Truck & Tree Lot Sessions are now happening on Saturday, November 22nd—and guess what? A couple of clients had to switch themes due to scheduling, which means…
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🎉 A surprise opening just popped up for YOU! 🎉
If you’ve been dreaming of snuggling up by a classic red truck, twinkle lights, and all the festive tree-lot vibes, this is your moment. These sessions are limited, super cute, and ridiculously fun—grab the spot before it drives off!
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Sessions will take place at the Wildflower Farm in Monee. The drive is worth the Hallmark movie type experience.
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Pups are also welcome but please let me know ahead of time if he/she will be joining.
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https://book.usesession.com/s/ACnylELHWy
That feeling you get when you realize Christmas minis start this weekend!
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2 spots left before I am SOLD OUT for the year.
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https://book.usesession.com/i/XpHwEW2Nz
Sneak Peaks of our "Wrapped in Red" set. These turned out so cute. Perfect excuse to get your family dolled up or put yourselves in matching PJs. You can`t go wrong either way!
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These will take place Nov 21 and Nov 22nd. Still plenty of time to get pics back and get those holiday cards ordered!
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To see this and all available sessions still available (or put yourself on a waitlist for sold out themes)...
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https://book.usesession.com/i/XpHwEW2Nz
Ahhh! Holiday Sessions start THIS WEEKEND! Time to snuggle up and capture beautiful memories with your family. Which session theme is your favorite? #holidaycheer #holidayminisessions #minisession #familytime❤️ #snuggle #napervillephotographer #wheatonphotographer #warrenvillephotographer #woodridgephotographer #lislephotographer #downersgrovephotographer #familyphotographer #familyphotography #novellaphotography
WHO LET THE DOGS OUT?! 🐾
(Go ahead… you know you sang it 😆)
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Did you know your furry family member is welcome to join you for your Red Truck + Tree Lot Holiday Minis? This is the only session left of the season where pups can tag along — and I only have two spots left!
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Don’t miss out on this cozy, Hallmark-style experience full of twinkling trees, that classic red truck, and maybe even a little snow magic (shhh… let’s keep that part a surprise for the kids ❄️).
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Link to book is in the comments.
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