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
SANTA!!! I KNOW HIM!
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You guys have seen my Baking Spirits Bright sessions, right? These incredibly fun sessions become even more fun on Sunday afternoon when Santa comes to the studio and bakes with your family.
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Because Santa is new to my studio, I wanted to introduce Santa Steve. He’s raised three elves of his own down in Bourbonnais with Mrs Clause. When he’s not at the North Pole, he helps kids from ages 1-92 at his local park district. And lucky for us…I was able to steal him away from his Oakbrook Mall Santa job this season. What makes Santa Steve so unique is the way he interacts with your kid/s. His soft spoken voice immediately relaxes even the shyest little ones and he right away asks them questions (and brings up things only mom/dad and Santa would know…with the info given in your pre-session questionnaire). He tells them stories about the North Pole and creates so much magic for these kids. This is much more then a “what do you want for Christmas” visit…this is an experience.
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To celebrate Santa Steve’s second season with Novella Photography, I am offering $50 off any Santa sessions booked between today and Saturday. Your session includes 10 edited photos of your choice as well as a $50 print credit so you can start displaying those memories for the kids to look back on.
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Pictures shown here are from Santa Steve’s visit with Novella Photography LAST year. This year he’s got himself some new digs and the backdrop/theme will be baking cookies (see my “Bakjng Spirits Bright” session for photo examples. It will be that backdrop but adding in Santa).
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$50 discount will be credited on your final session invoice.
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Link for more info and to book in Bio.
READY OR NOT… HERE COMES CHRISTMAS! 🎄
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And apparently, a little flour too! 😂
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Tomorrow officially kicks off my 2026 Christmas sessions, and I could NOT be more excited!! ❤️
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The sets are ready, the camera batteries are charged, and I`m preparing for all the giggles, snuggles, holiday magic, and probably a little bit of chaos (the good kind, of course!).
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✨ Haven`t booked your Christmas photos yet? THIS IS YOUR SIGN! ✨
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There are still a few spots left across some of my holiday themes, but once they`re gone, they`re GONE!
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And here`s the best part… you won`t be waiting until Christmas Eve to get your photos back! 😉 My goal, as always, is to have everyone`s beautifully edited holiday images delivered by December 1st. Plenty of time for Christmas cards, gifts, and showing them off!
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https://book.usesession.com/i/XpHwEW2Nz
Wrapped in Christmas is the perfect mix of Christmas charm and playful holiday fun. Dress it up in your holiday best or let the kids steal the show surrounded by presents bigger than they are!
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And while the presents under the tree might be forgotten in a few years…the memories of those little faces, tiny hands and sweet holiday snuggles are the gifts you’ll treasure forever.
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Link for more info and to book is in the bio.
#napervillephotographer #warrenvillephotographer #bigbows #christmasmini #wheatonphotographer
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
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