Choosing a mini session location (but I love them all!)

If you’re anything like me, making decisions can be HARD. You have your big ones like choosing a school to send your child/ren to, and less important ones (but somehow equally as maddening?) like where/what to eat for dinner. It’s not lost on me what a privilege it is to have access to so many choices at all times (first world problems) but even so, the decision fatigue in this digital age is SO REAL.

At least, when it comes to choosing a location for your mini session, I try to keep things simple. One outdoor location and one studio location. You really don’t need 30 different locations to choose from each year. All you need is adorable updated family photos to hang on your walls, share with loved ones, and most importantly, capture this fleeting time of life.

I know many of you who have worked with me on your family photos year after year (THANK YOU) have already experienced a studio session and/or an outdoor session at Arlington Gardens - my go-to spots for minis! But I can promise you, the only redundancies you will find are in the locations themselves. Each new year and every individual family brings new inspiration and life to the images we create. Maybe last year you had a sleepy newborn in your arms and now, a whole darn year has passed and you have a silly and exploratory toddler to chase! Or maybe your little kids (who never stopped making faces at the camera and squirming around during sessions) are no longer little kids and now off to Middle School. :( The locations aren’t what brings the magic - YOU are the MAGIC.

Ok so maybe that isn’t the most helpful advice? Let’s pretend you already know all of this and are still frozen with overwhelm. Here are some questions you can ask yourself: What is my personal style? Are you more attracted to minimalist visuals like clean backgrounds and negative space? Or, do you love the look of greenery and a louder yet still subtle color palette (it is fall after all)? What sort of things do you reach for in your wardrobe or when designing your space?

Now, aesthetics are fun to appreciate but you also want to seriously consider the practical implications of taking family photos. Some things to consider: What would be the best environment for your family at this moment in time? Again, if you have a newborn there aren’t going to be many opportunities to sit down on the ground while holding them if you’re outdoors. Does your child love to explore and refuses to sit still when surrounded by the beautiful yet stimulating natural world around them (or is this just me)? In both of these scenarios, I might recommend a studio session (unless of course you are fine with capturing your kiddos on the run and if so, I absolutely support/love this). In conclusion, the key to choosing your mini location lies within you. So figure out what speaks to you and what works best for your family and then go with that!

P.s By the time you are reading this, it is quite possible that there is only one location left. If it’s not the location you had in mind then consider this an opportunity in letting go. When it comes to family sessions, having certain expectations about how you want it to go will probably very likely set you up for disappointment. I say this every year and I mean it with all my heart - kids will not listen, partners will complain, there will be traffic, your outfits may fall apart, meltdowns are inevitable, but it’s OUR reactions (yes, I am speaking to myself here too) that will have the greatest impact on how those 15 minutes go. Don’t worry, I have seen IT ALL. The best way to have a successful family session is to LET GO and EMBRACE the chaos. It’s ok to not be perfect, and it’s more than ok to show up as your messy, authentic selves. In fact, it’s encouraged! You will look back on these photos one day and remember the delicate nature of life and what it was like to be IN this moment. And isn’t that what truly matters in the end?

xBrandi