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
Who says Christmas photos have to look the same year after year?
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Introducing Christmas Reimagined…a little less traditional, a little unexpected and a whole lot of holiday fun.
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I love a classic Christmas photo as much as the next person, but sometimes it’s fun to throw tradition out the window and try something completely different.
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This set up is for families who love a little personality and photos that stand out from the crowd.
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Because Christmas memories don’t have to be traditional to be MAGICAL.
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Being held the morning of Oct 31st and afternoon of Nov 1st. To book and for more info…follow the link in my bio or DM me.
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#nontraditionalchristmas #christmasmini #napervillephotographer #warrenvillephotographer #wheatonphotographer
What if they could step inside a Christmas Story? This session is so much more than posing in front of a camera. In this Kids Only experience we will laugh…play…imagine. All while capturing it at this precious age. This is what Christmas looks like thru their eyes.
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Don’t wait to get on the calendar for this one of a kind experience.
#napervillephotographer #warrenvillephotographer #gingerbread #christmasminisessions #christmasminis
You asked…I listened. I baked up 3 more spots. You guys keep selling this session out. And with good reason! Book yours before the flour runs out!!!
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#holidayminisessions #minisession #bakingspiritsbright #napervillephotographer #warrenvillephotographer
Could not have asked for a more perfect day with Mady for her senior session. She immediately made this reel with behind the scene snippets her mom took. Love when seniors get just as excited as I do for their session and love the confidence they feel once we get started. Mady was a dream to work with. I can’t wait to edit and deliver this stunning gallery!
#bestdayever
#senior
#beachsession
#nantucketvibes
#novellaphotography
@madylax09 @ashylax
THIS.
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This is exactly why beach sessions need to happen. 🤍
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Bare feet. Windblown hair. Running through the sand. Splashing in the water. Belly laughs. Snuggles. And a whole lot of moments that had absolutely nothing to do with standing still and smiling at my camera.
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When I dreamed up my Bucket List Sessions this year, a family beach session was at the very top of that list. I had never photographed one before, but I could already picture what I wanted it to feel like.
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And THIS was it.
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Not perfectly posed.
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Not everyone looking at the camera.
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Just Mom, Dad and their sweet girl playing, laughing, exploring and loving on each other while I got to capture it all.
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Because someday she won’t be five.
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Someday those little hands won’t fit quite so perfectly inside Mom and Dad’s.
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Someday they won’t be able to scoop her up and run through the water while she laughs uncontrollably.
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But they’ll always have this. 🤍
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And I have a feeling this won’t be my last beach session...
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In fact, I think the beach may officially be joining the Novella Photography lineup in 2027. 🌊
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So tell me...
Would you book a beach session?!
Because I’m already dreaming about next summer.🤍
#family #beachsession #sandyhairdontcare #napervillephotographer #warrenvillephotographer
Some kids are packing backpacks... others are packing memories.
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Next week marks the beginning of another school year, but for seniors, it`s so much more than that. It`s the beginning of a year full of "lasts."
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Before the chaos of college applications, senior nights, graduation parties, and saying goodbye to friends, take a moment to celebrate who they are right now.
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This senior is an avid reader, so we started her session exactly where she`d choose to spend an afternoon—with a good book at a local bookstore. Then we explored downtown Wheaton, capturing a completely different side of her personality.
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That`s what senior sessions should be. Not just beautiful photos...but a time capsule of who you were before life changed forever.
Wishing all of my students, teacher friends, and families an amazing school year next week.
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Here`s to new beginnings...and unforgettable endings.
#senioryear #seniorclass #newbeginnings #novellaphotography
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