mini sessions: the scoop

Mini sessions - and what to expect when you book one with me!

Hello, I’m a photographer in Pensacola, Florida who specializes in Family, Lifestyle Newborn and Maternity photography. I travel around the Pensacola area, including Pensacola Beach, Perdido Key and occasionally Fairhope, Alabama areas.

I love a good mini. They are always fun, laid back and super casual for the client who doesn’t want a full 45 min - 1 hour session. I have some clients who prefer a short, 15-20 minutes of time dedicated to pictures together, without the mental stress of a full session. Now I would like to mention that I believe whole heartedly that every family can handle a full session - and I will talk more on that in my next blog post coming next week (it’s all about the mental prep to me and knowing how my process works!). But a mini is good for so many reasons - the biggest to me being that you capture you and “your peoples” faces as often as possible on camera.

My minis are typically booked online by filling out a simple questionnaire, contract and paying the deposit. All that can be completed quickly and easily online without even talking to me (yay for introverts!). For mini sessions you typically get the more posed shots of your family together as there isn’t much time for play & candids when you have a shorter amount of time scheduled for each family. BUT I always try my best to capture a little play as well with the time allowed per family.

One thing to note when choosing your time spot for minis is lighting. The earlier times will most likely have brighter pictures (for outdoor sessions specifically) and as you book a time later in the evening you’ll capture a softer light in photos. Both are beautiful but it needs to noted so that you know what to expect your pictures to look like. There are tricks we often do as your photographer - like place our fams in a shaded area for example so you aren’t standing in such harsh lighting - but you won’t have that soft or colorful lighting of a sunset if you aren’t booked later in the evening. Again - both super beautiful but needs to be known ahead of time so your expectations are met.

Before our session together I love to send out my Prep Guide, which will include all the details of who, when, where, what (all the things) so everyone is on the same page with all the details. My Prep Guide looks a little something like this (cue the video below for reference!)

It’s possible that this Prep Guide is really more for me (hello, my brain never shuts off), but I have had a lot of clients appreciate it as well and it helps me sleep better at night knowing that my clients have all the details about how their session will go with me.

These specific minis were for Mothers’ Day so I will getting them to my families prior to that date, but right now my turn around time is between 2-3 weeks depending on how busy I am scheduled.

That’s my process - simple and easy! If you have any thoughts or details you are interested in knowing more about let me know in the comments so I can add them to my Prep Guide! xoxo

Fresh 48 - Baptist Hospital pensacola

I love me some babies and hearing all about a good birth story. So I am very excited to begin offering Fresh 48 sessions this year! Read on to hear about my booking and creative process and see some adorable baby toes as well.

I had the pleasure of photographing Victoria and Dalton’s growing family at Baptist Hospital (Pensacola, FL) in January. If you haven’t been to the new Baptist Maternity area - it’s a dream. I delivered my first two babes at the old Baptist Hospital location and my third at Ascension Sacred Heart. I would confidently say to any pregnant mama’s out there that both are great options to deliver at. However, seeing this space with a photographer’s eye for a Fresh 48 Newborn session was perfectly aligned with what I would ask for. Big beautiful windows full of natural light, an accent wall with flowers, not too much clutter or distraction pieces, and space. All the space. I was impressed, to say the least, for my first visit there since they opened, and hope to have many more sessions there this year (let’s go 2025!).

We began the session by capturing baby Odin in his bassinet and giving big bro, Maverick, some space to watch the process happen. We really wanted some big brother pics but he definitely wasn’t feeling it at first (take a look at the below pic for reference!). But we started with some dreamy bassinet and mama cuddling pics and it was beautiful. The entire session is baby led so if baby is sleeping and cozy being swaddled - perfect. Does he need to eat - love it. Needs a diaper change - let’s do this. The process is very documentary styled most of the time, but moments in between that can be more posed (like in the bassinet).

I like to keep my newborn sessions in the hospital as quick as possible, since I know it can be draining to have company immediately after birth. Let’s be real - the whole process of birth is beautiful and exhausting. So I want to confidently show up to my sessions knowing that I will get the pictures needed or your gallery but also be quick and efficient so you can rest and have your space again.

Big Bro is starting to get interested at this point so we got some really cute pictures of their first moments together in the hospital. Baby Odin was less than 24 hours hold at this point (ugh the cuteness).

Big Bro sneaking a peek in the bassinet.

Please note the crinkled bed sheets. I typically don’t edit such perfect imperfections out. They are real life and add interest to your photo in my opinion. They are honestly some of my favorite pics because of the realness.

We ended the session on the couch with some family shots and then dad solo cuddles. I would say the entire process took about 40 minutes total. The gallery that was delivered had 55 images both given in color and black & white (because to me providing an image in b&w completely changes the vibe of it - and that option is necessary when it comes to newborns!). Currently my turn around time for galleries is two weeks, however, it all depends on my busy season so this will be discussed during the booking process. If there is a time frame that you are looking to get your gallery back please let me know that when you inquire. I typically always provide at least 1-2 sneaks prior to gallery delivery as well (these are usually the first “woah” images that catch my eye during the editing process).

If you are interested in booking a Fresh 48 Newborn session with me in Pensacola, FL I would love to hear from you! I know how difficult it is to find a photographer who matches your vibe check and style approach to photography so if I am that person for you I offer instant gratification during the booking process by booking Fresh 48’s immediately online! Simple go to my “Investment & Booking” page on my website, scroll down to Fresh 48 session and choose your due date to book! All details are listed there for you and, of course, you are more than welcome to reach out to me ahead of time as well. I love to meet my families ahead of time, either through video chat or messaging, so that we feel like friends when I arrive on this special day.

xoxo,

Valerie B