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
Hey Guys! Happy Christmas in July Reveal Day #5!
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Each day this week I will reveal one of 1 of the 8 themes being made available this year.
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Today`s Theme? WRAPPED IN CHRISTMAS
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If you love classic Christmas, this one is for you.
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Rich velvet bows, festive peppermint accents, fresh evergreen garland, and timeless holiday colors create a backdrop that feels cheerful, elegant, and full of Christmas magic.
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This session is perfect for families wanting a traditional holiday portrait with a fresh, elevated twist.
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We`ll capture a mix of classic smiling portraits, genuine laughter, sweet snuggles, and the joyful in-between moments that make your family uniquely yours.
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Because the greatest gift you`ll ever give each other isn`t found under the tree...
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It`s time spent together.
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Come dressed in your holiday best, or your favorite cozy sweaters, and let`s create joyful memories you`ll treasure for years to come.
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WHAT`S INCLUDED
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Up to 20 minutes of session time
A proof gallery of 15–25 images
8 professionally edited high-resolution digital images of your choice
$50 print credit.
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These sessions and all holiday minis go on sale to the public on July 15th during my Christmas in July Sale!
Hey Guys! Happy Christmas in July Reveal Day #4!
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Each day this week (and into next...because I`m ridiculous) I will reveal one of 1 of the 8 themes being made available this year.
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Today`s theme? BAKING MEMORIES WITH SANTA
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Skip the crowded mall this year...
Instead, join Santa in his cozy Christmas Cookie Kitchen for a one-of-a-kind holiday experience your little one will never forget.
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For twenty magical minutes, your child will help Santa decorate Christmas cookies, share stories, and maybe even learn a few secrets about life at the North Pole.
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This isn`t about sitting on Santa`s lap and smiling at the camera.
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It`s about creating genuine memories together while I quietly document every laugh, every wide-eyed expression, every whispered conversation, and every magical moment as it naturally unfolds.
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At the end of the experience, your child will leave with more than beautiful photographs...
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They`ll leave with a memory they`ll talk about long after Christmas is over.
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The above pictures are from 2025 when creating stuffed animals in his workshop. This year will be just as memorable when decorating cookies together and sharing his special cookie cutters that are "over 200 years old". The last picture is the backdrop we will be using.
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WHAT`S INCLUDED
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Up to 20 minutes of session time
A proof gallery of 15–25 images
10 professionally edited high-resolution digital images of your choice
$50 print credit.
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These sessions and all holiday minis go on sale to the public on July 15th during my Christmas in July Sale!
Hey Guys! Happy Christmas in July Reveal Day #3!
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Each day this week (and into next...because I`m ridiculous) I will reveal one of 1 of the 8 themes being made available this year.
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Each year I will be featuring an interactive, experience session that features a holiday tradition. This year`s tradition? Baking!
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HOLIDAY TRADITIONS: MAKING SPIRITS BRIGHT
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The flour will fly. Frosting may end up on little fingers (and maybe noses). Cookie sprinkles might scatter everywhere.
That`s exactly what makes these memories so special.
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This holiday session recreates all of that magic—without any of the cleanup.
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Our Baking Spirits Bright session is designed for families who want more than smiling at the camera. Throughout your session we`ll roll dough, sprinkle flour, decorate cookies, and let the kids simply enjoy being kids while I capture all of the genuine smiles, laughter, and sweet in-between moments.
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Perfect for little bakers, siblings, or the entire family (up to 5 people). If your family has more than 5 people, please contact me for options.
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These Sessions are Ideal for:
❤️ Families who love holiday traditions
❤️ Kids who love baking
❤️ Parents wanting candid, joy-filled Christmas photos
❤️ Holiday cards that tell a story
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WHAT`S INCLUDED
Up to 20 minutes of session time
A proof gallery of 15–25 images
8 professionally edited high-resolution digital images of your choice
$50 print credit.
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These sessions and all holiday minis go on sale to the public on July 15th during my Christmas in July Sale!
Two timeless holiday setups, one unforgettable session!
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This location was a favorite last year so I`m bringing it back!
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We are combining two client favorites into one magical outdoor experience: a charming evergreen tree farm and a nostalgic vintage red truck— all dressed up with twinkling lights and rustic holiday charm.
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Whether you`re imagining cozy flannels and boots or a more dressed-up look with winter layers, this session is perfect for full families who want a classic, heartfelt holiday feel.
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📸 You`ll enjoy both holiday setups during your session—no need to choose!
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This session is ideal for:
❤️ Families looking to update their holiday card
❤️ Parents who want both posed + playful moments
❤️ Anyone who loves the cozy, classic charm of the season
❤️ Anyone that wants to include their pup in their photos
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WHAT`S INCLUDED
Up to 20 minutes of session time
A proof gallery of 15–25 images
10 professionally edited high-resolution digital images of your choice
$50 print credit.
Hey Guys! Happy Christmas in July Reveal Day! Each day this week (and into next...because I`m ridiculous) I will reveal one of 1 of the 8 themes being made available this year.
Day 1`s Theme? CHRISTMAS REIMAGINED
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Some holiday traditions stay exactly the same.
Others evolve into something beautifully unexpected.
This holiday setup feels like wandering into a charming European courtyard, where Christmas feels quiet, intentional, and full of warmth.
It`s elegant without feeling formal. Festive without feeling overdone. Timeless without looking like everyone else`s holiday photos.
If you`ve been searching for a holiday session that`s a little more unique while still capturing the magic of the season, this may be your favorite one yet
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These sessions are ideal for:
❤️ Families wanting a unique holiday card
❤️ Those who love neutral, organic holiday décor
❤️ Clients looking for a more elevated, timeless Christmas aesthetic
❤️ Anyone wanting images that feel warm, cozy, and full of connection
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WHAT`S INCLUDED
Up to 20 minutes of session time
A proof gallery of 15–25 images
8 professionally edited high-resolution digital images of your choice
$50 print credit.
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These (and all Holiday sessions) will go on sale to the public on July 15th during my Christmas in July sale! See you back here then!
Graduation week is finally HERE 🎓
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The ceremony will fly by.
The parties will end.
The tassels will get packed away.
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But THESE moments? The "laughing with your best friends" moment, the "we did it", cap tossing moments... those deserve to be captured.
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That`s why I love these Cap, Confetti and Crew sessions so much!
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They are fun, chaotic (in the best way), unposed, and core memory type moments with the people who made these years unforgettable.
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Not rushed on graduation day. Not squeezed in between parties and dinner reservations.
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Juts one more chance to celebrate this season together before everyone heads into their next chapter.
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Caps up grads ✨
You made it! 🎓
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Booking link 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