Chicago Family Photographers | 2022 Mini Session Prep
5 Tips To Get The Most Out Of Your Mini Session
5 Tips To Get The Most Out Of Your Mini Session
I’m so excited that we’ve finally made it to Mini Session time! Here are a few ideas on how to get the most out of these quick sessions:
1. Wear the colors you want to see on your walls. Remember that you don’t all need to be wearing the exact same color. It’s much more aesthetically pleasing to wear complimentary tones and colors.
Also, don’t be afraid to mix it up with prints and solids. Remember to balance the dark colors and light colors. Notice how the photo below is so beautifully balanced for the mom and dad’s outfits: Mom is wearing dark tones on top and bottom. Dad is wearing dark tones on bottom and light tones on top. If they were both wearing dark tones on bottom half and light tones on top half, this wouldn’t look nearly as balanced. They also did the same for their boys.
Here’s a few more examples of the light/dark tone balance:
2. Remember that this time is going to fly by! So, stay cheerful and positive. Kids pick up on stress and anxiety, so if you’re feeling anxious, they will most likely feel anxious too.
This is especially applied for those tiny littles around 18 months to 3 years.
3. Remember that this should be fun! If smiles don’t come right away from the littles, that is 100% socially acceptable, so don’t sweat it! Keep on smiling, tickling, and go for those inside jokes or silly phrases you know are sure to crack them up. I can stay as positive and fun as possible, but the real leaders who set the tone for the kiddos will always be their parents ❤️
4. Remember to give yourself plenty of time to get ready and drive. If you feel anxious or stressed on your way there, then it’s going to be really hard to get into a playful mood as soon as you arrive. (This applies especially for your significant other.)
5. Last, but not least, remember to bring someone along if you’re planning on bringing your fur baby. That way, you can more diversity out of your time. (It’s just too hot to take them back to the car 🥵)
Chicago Family Photographers | Newborn Lifestyle Photography - Jordan & Clarence
It’s been such a privilege to capture this beautiful family over these past years! From Clarence & Jordan’s engagement session, to their wedding day, to maternity photos, to getting to capture their daughter; it’s been such an honor! But, there is nothing more surreal than getting to capture our couple’s very first infant session. I’m so thankful for getting to capture these milestones and watching these two wonderful souls become the most wonderful and loving parents.
It’s been such a privilege to capture this beautiful family over these past years! From Clarence & Jordan’s engagement session, to their wedding day, to maternity photos, to getting to capture their daughter; it’s been such an honor! But, there is nothing more surreal than getting to capture our couple’s very first infant session. I’m so thankful for getting to capture these milestones and watching these two wonderful souls become the most wonderful and loving parents.
Chicago Family Photographers | Newborn Lifestyle Photography - Charlie
Where to begin? This moment of getting to capture infant photos of our nephew Charlie with his wonderful parents was 7 years in the making. Almost exactly one year ago before these pictures were taken, my sister Kate spoke boldy at the dinner table around New Years. She told us that THIS would be the year that she would have her baby and there wouldb’t be anything that could get in the way of that…
Where to begin? This moment of getting to capture infant photos of our nephew Charlie with his wonderful parents was 7 years in the making. Almost exactly one year ago before these pictures were taken, my sister Kate spoke boldy at the dinner table around New Years. She told us that THIS would be the year that she would have her baby and there wouldb’t be anything that could get in the way of that. They were visiting us in the Chicago Suburbs from their home in SoCal. They already had their paperwork to get started in their process of IVF and social work meetings to look into the process for adoption. It had a been a long 7 years of waiting, grieving the miscarriage of their first baby 7 years prior, and asking God when. …Fast forward one month after Kate said those words at the dinner table when we got a FaceTime with the greatest news ever. We were all elated. Kate & Stu were finally granted their hearts desires. But, even after the news of pregnancy, there was still a battle to fight. If you’ve never experienced Hyperemesis, there really are no words to describe what it feels like. Our momma had it intensely with both of us. She had to have in-home care and was told multiple times that the outcome might not be what she was hoping. It can be genetic and it happened to be passed down to both of us. Mine was never even a fraction of what my mom and sister walked through though. So, just knowing the tiny bits / moments of the extreme nausea (imagine just taking a sip of water and having it all come up every single time, or the slightest movement as you lie in bed sending you into a fit of sickness.) The inability to eat or drink or move or stay awake is unlike anything that can be described. And out of those 9 months and 7 years of praying, battling, and asking, came the most perfect little boy I’ve ever gotten to hold this side of heaven. Charlie is nothing short of the delightul miracle rainbow baby they’ve been aching for. …we’ve all been aching for. We love you so much sweet Charlie Boy. You are perfection in every sense. And Kate & Stu are every bit and more of the parents they’ve ached to be.
Lake Geneva Wedding Photographers | Infant Lifestyle Photography - The Cassata Family
There is absolutely no honor bigger than get to capture our couples over the years as their families grow. It seems just like yesterday that I had the honor of capturing Allison and Frank’s engagement session in downtown Chicago. And now, we get to share their second infant session on the blog today!
There is absolutely no honor bigger than get to capture our couples over the years as their families grow. It seems just like yesterday that I had the honor of capturing Allison and Frank’s engagement session in downtown Chicago. And now, we get to share their second infant session on the blog today! It has been such a treat to capture these two with their brand new babies in their gorgeous home. (Talk about home decor inspiration. Their color scheme throughout their entire house is just off the charts to get to shoot in!
Frank and Allison were made to be parents. Their boys are so blessed and their love for each other is tangible. This session is a perfect example of why we love capturing infants and families in a more “lifestyle” setting. Frank and Allison’s home is truly an extension of their family. Every room speaks to who they are. We truly feel that our families’ homes bring completeness to capturing this newborn phase. It’s where all the sleepless nights, cuddles, bath times, happy tears, first smiles, exhausted tears, and joy happen! Your homes and the walls where you bring your babies home are sacred. Thank you Allison & Frank, for the joy of getting to capture your beautiful family again! The honor doesn’t get lost on us.
Lake Geneva Wedding Photographers | 2021 Mini Sessions
2021 Mini Sessions
Each year we look forward to seeing past couples and their growing families, as well as meeting amazing new couples and families for our annual mini sessions! Usually, we are trying to squeeze these sessions in at the last moment since weddings have been our main focus for the last 9 years. 2020 has given us a new perspective and appreciation for family and lifestyle photography. It’s such a privilege to capture your family, whether its a family of two or ten, toddlers or fur babies, and we can’t wait to see you again!
This year we have planned four Mini Session weekends for 2021 available for booking depending on the season you are most interested. These weekends are reserved on a first come, first serve basis and you can reserve your date and time below.
Lake Geneva Wedding Photographers | Infant Lifestyle Photography - The Skalkos Family
It was such a treat to capture Baby Charlie and his incredible parents Sarah & Thomas. And to top it off, this nursery is off the charts beautiful! If you’re in need of inspiration, scroll down now!
It’s been such an incredible year of meeting new families, couples, and babies! 2020 was not what we expected, but in some ways, it was better than we expected. Life keeps moving forward. Not even a pandemic can stop babies from being born. And not even a pandemic can stifle the joy of welcoming your first born and relishing those first couple of weeks as new parents. It’s the best. And the Skalkos Family is one of the loveliest around. It was such a treat to capture Baby Charlie and his incredible parents Sarah & Thomas. And to top it off, this nursery is off the charts beautiful! If you’re in need of inspiration, scroll down now!
Special thanks to our past bride, Amy, for gifting the Skalkos Family with a Lifestyle Infant Session! We’re so thankful for the continued support of our couples and it’s such a treat to meet new families!
Lake Geneva Wedding Photographers | Infant Lifestyle Photography - Samantha and Jack
“No one ever wanted anything more than we wanted you.”
It was such a treat to capture Samantha and Jack say “I do”. It was just as beautiful to be invited to capture their beautiful miracle baby. These lifestyle sessions couldn’t fill us up any more than this.
“No one ever wanted anything more than we wanted you.”
It was such a treat to capture Samantha and Jack say “I do”. It was just as beautiful to be invited to capture their beautiful miracle baby. These lifestyle sessions couldn’t fill us up any more than this.
