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
THIS.
.
This is exactly why beach sessions need to happen. 🤍
.
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.
.
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.
.
And THIS was it.
.
Not perfectly posed.
.
Not everyone looking at the camera.
.
Just Mom, Dad and their sweet girl playing, laughing, exploring and loving on each other while I got to capture it all.
.
Because someday she won’t be five.
.
Someday those little hands won’t fit quite so perfectly inside Mom and Dad’s.
.
Someday they won’t be able to scoop her up and run through the water while she laughs uncontrollably.
.
But they’ll always have this. 🤍
.
And I have a feeling this won’t be my last beach session...
.
In fact, I think the beach may officially be joining the Novella Photography lineup in 2027. 🌊
.
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.
.
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."
.
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.
.
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.
.
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.
.
Here`s to new beginnings...and unforgettable endings.
#senioryear #seniorclass #newbeginnings #novellaphotography
IT`S TIME!
.
School is almost back in session, which means cooler evenings, cozy sweaters, and those gorgeous fall leaves will be here before we know it.
.
Fall has always been one of my favorite seasons to photograph because everything seems to slow down just enough to soak in the little moments.
.
🍂 Fall Sessions are officially open to book!
.
If autumn is your favorite season too, I`d love to capture your story.
.
To find out more information and to book:
.
https://book.usesession.com/i/XpHwEW2Nz
REMINDER:
.
Christmas in July is coming to an end and Fall sessions will be going on sale Saturday August 1st at 8:00am. So if you are more a Fall mama, Aug 1st is your day!
.
I have two new locations I am having sessions at this year and also including Cantingy as an option...because...well, it`s absolutely amazing at any time of year.
.
Cannot wait to capture your family during nature`s most beautiful dance! See you back here at 8:00am Saturday!
Don`t sleep on this sale!
.
Christmas in July sale goes thru 7/31/26. That means if you only have 2 DAYS left to get $50 off your holiday session balance. Any sessions booked after 7/31/26 will be at FULL PRICE.
.
Reminder...if the session you want is wait list only, book your second favorite theme and if the waitlist opens up on your favorite, I will be in touch and would be happy to move you to that slot! As long as a holiday session is booked before 8/1/26, the $50 discount will apply! Link in bio.
It`s July...and half of my holiday season is already booked. 🤯🎄
.
I honestly don`t know what to say except...thank you. ❤️
.
We are only ONE WEEK into my Christmas in July event, and 30 of the 60 holiday sessions have already been claimed!
.
Every single booking is someone choosing me to preserve their family`s memories, and that is something I`ll never take for granted.
.
Six years ago, I started Novella Photography with a dream of creating meaningful images for families. Today, seeing so many of you planning ahead in the middle of summer because holiday photos have become part of your family`s tradition...that`s pretty incredible.
.
If you`ve been thinking about booking, here`s your friendly reminder:
.
Half of this year`s holiday collection is already spoken for.
That means there are 30 sessions remaining across all eight holiday experiences.
.
Every year, my holiday calendar fills well before the season arrives, so if you`ve had your eye on a particular setup or date, now is the time.
.
From the bottom of my heart...
Thank you for trusting me with your memories, year after year.
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