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
Hey Seniors… it’s 2026 and that means one big thing....
you graduate THIS YEAR! 🎓✨
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Are you ready?!
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This session was hands-down one of my favorites of the year, and I’m so excited I finally get to share it with you. When Mom (hi, Melissa!) reached out and told me her daughter was dreaming of a beautiful staircase, and even sent along inspiration photos, I was all in. I LOVE a good challenge.
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I got to work, scouted a few ideas, and once I explored the Art Institute (a photography first for me!), everything just clicked. The light, the movement, the setting...it all came together in the most magical way.
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And yes… your senior/graduation photos can feel this special ✨
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Let’s dream up your vision together and start planning a day that’s all about you—your story, your style, your personality. I cannot wait to see what your heart is dreaming up 🤍
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@alyssamatry
Hi friends—especially those of you who are new here! 👋
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With so many new faces lately, it felt like the perfect time to re-introduce myself.
I’m Kim, the photographer behind Novella Photography. I specialize in capturing real connection, movement, and emotion (the in-between moments) that feel like you. I’m not about stiff poses or forced smiles. My sessions are full of gentle prompts, games, silly sounds, laughter, and letting kids be kids.
I photograph families, mamas, milestones, seniors, and all the seasons in between…because I truly believe these everyday moments deserve to be remembered. The messy, loud, quiet, joyful, tender ones… those are the good ones.
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✨ Five things that make me unique as a photographer:
1️⃣ I don’t “pose” families; I guide them. Expect movement, snuggles, laughter, and moments that feel natural (no hand-placement instructions here 😉).
2️⃣ Kids don’t have to behave to be photographed. Wiggly, shy, loud, or wild; I meet them exactly where they are.
3️⃣ I care just as much about the feeling as the photo. If you tear up when you see your gallery… that’s kind of the goal 💛
4️⃣ I design sessions around connection, not a checklist. I’m watching for glances, pauses, and the moments you didn’t even realize were happening.
5️⃣ Many of my themed sessions are inspired by client feedback…you share an idea, and I run with it!
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When I’m not behind the camera, you’ll find me spending time with my family, at a volleyball tournament, volunteering, traveling, or dreaming up new session ideas.
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✨ Three things about me personally:
1️⃣ I have two different colored eyes (heterochromia) and yes, they’re real 😉
2️⃣ I’ve been vegan for over 10 years and love recreating comfort foods in a plant-based way (even my non-vegan friends approve!)
3️⃣ I’m newly obsessed with college and professional volleyball—my daughter and I have taken day trips just to watch a match live.
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If you’re new; say hi in the comments or tell me what you’d love to see from Novella Photography this year.
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And if you’ve been here awhile, thank you for being part of this little community of mine 💛
It’s so fun to look back at the memories created this year. Thank you all for being a part of it!
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#yearinreview #2025 #familyphotography #warrenvillephotographer #napervillephotographer
WHAT. A. YEAR!
Pop over to my Facebook page to pick your favorites from 2025. Top two pictures that get the most votes will receive a 8x12 canvas :). Check out Facebook for all the details.
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Voting is open until 11:59pm on January 11th
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#myfavoritethings #contest #familyphotography #familyphoto #warrenvillephotographer
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY SALE
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September is my most absolute FAVORITE month to have sessions in. The humidity is low, the temps are beautiful, rainfalls are minimal, the sunsets are GORGEOUS, the wildflowers are out and those pesky bug ratios are pretty low.
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I am offering $100 off any FULL sessions booked in September. This includes graduating senior sessions, extended family sessions or a regular family sessions. BUT, the catch is that your session needs to take place in September.
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The $100 discount almost brings the price for a full family session down to 2025 mini pricing! That means more pictures, more time with me, and a more personalized session at almost the same price as a mini session cost in 2025. Do not sit on this deal!!!
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HOW THE SMALL BUSINESS SALE WORKS:
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*You say "YES! Sign me up! I don`t want to miss my chance for a September session with Novella Photography"
* $100 retainer fee and contract is due upon booking
* You paying your retainer now is your placeholder. I will contact you at the beginning of 2026 and we will start planning your session! If you don`t know what type of session you want right away or a specific date, that`s OK! We have plenty of time to get you set up for success!
* Your $100 discount will be applied to your final balance right before session takes place.
* I am only offering this to the first 5 booked for small business Saturday
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Sale ends at 11:59pm on Sunday Nov 30th or when the 5 slots are booked. Whichever comes first.
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https://book.usesession.com/t/fbkyNXeyjc
BLACK FRIDAY SALE
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Selling out of Holiday sessions the first week in October was great for me...but not so great for some of my clients. Here is your chance to get a 2026 Fall or Holiday slot NOW to get $75 off and not have think about anything until session themes are released in July.
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HOW THE BLACK FRIDAY SALE WORKS:
You say "YES! Sign me up! I don`t want to miss my chance for a fall or holiday session with Novella Photography in 2026"
$100 retainer fee and contract is due upon booking
You paying your retainer now is your placeholder. Once themes are finalized in July, my Black Friday clients will have first dibs at picking their themes and timeslots. I will contact you and get all of those finalized before opening up sales to the general public.
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Your $75 discount will be applied to your final balance right before your 2026 Fall/Holiday session takes place.
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NITTY GRITTY:
I am only taking 10 sessions at this discounted price
This is the largest discount you will see on 2025 Fall/Holiday minis. My Christmas in July sale will not have this large of a discount.
Fall/Holiday minis are designed for immediate family only. If looking to include grandma/grandpa, cousins, or more than 5 people, please contact me for special pricing. A mini session typically would not be sufficient due to the time.
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https://book.usesession.com/t/WU3L3IxiAF
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