2020 Mini-Session FAQ

What is a “Mini-Session”?

A mini-session is a 20-minute family session that is perfect for updating your yearly family photos. Typical family sessions last for an hour or more and may include multiple locations. A mini-session is an affordable way to still have professional portraits, without the time commitment. It’s also beneficial for the photographer because it makes use of an entire day of back-to-back portraits.

How Much and What’s Included?

Mini-sessions with Ginny Corbett are $250, but in an effort to fill up the dates quickly, they are discounted to $200 for one weekend only (Aug 21-23rd). Included with your session is your choice of 10 full-resolution files with printing rights. If there are more than 10 “keepers“ in your session, they will be edited and included in your online gallery where you can print or purchase the hi-res files.

What’s the Location?

As of right now, Fred Fletcher Park or JC Raulston Arboretum is most likely the location. With that being said, with COVID restrictions, I’m in the process of having the permit approved. You will receive an email before your session with more information on where exactly to meet.

What Happens if We Can’t Make it to Our Session?

Unfortunately, due to the nature of mini-sessions, all sessions are non-refundable. However, you can always gift or sell your spot to a friend or family member.

What Happens if We’re Late?

I’ve allotted 10 minutes for transitions between each shoot. If you happen to be late, we will try to capture as much as we can within your allotted time, but out of respect for the next clients, each session ends 5 minutes before the next session. I would recommend arriving 10 minutes early to make sure everyone is ready for the shoot.

Any Tips on Making Sure Our Session is Best it Can Be?

There are a few key things you can do to make sure you have a relaxed, fun, family shoot…

1. Manage your expectations. This one is key. From the moment you envision getting your family photos taken, you may imagine either a perfectly posed picture with everyone looking flawlessly at the camera or a perfectly captured candid of everyone laughing at one another (with absolutely no double-chins). Then, on the day of the session…your husband has a crummy attitude, your child has a runny nose, your hair ends up flat, and to top it all off, you feel fat. “Expectations are the thief of joy” in this scenario, and though I hope to capture the perfect pose and the joyful candid, the reality is everything might not line up perfectly on the day of. So, communicate to your family what you hope to get out of this quick, 20-minute photo shoot (bribe everyone if you have to). Hold the day with open hands, and let’s have a great photoshoot (double chins and all)!
2. Plan your outfits well ahead of time. Even more importantly, try them all on and have someone snap a picture with your phone to see if everything looks the way you want it to.
3. Make sure you set out everything you need the night before your session. Nothing ruins your mood like being stressed for time before your shoot. Have all of your clothes ironed and set out the night before. Plan on getting ready 30 minutes before you need to so that you aren’t stressed or rushed.
4. Mom’s…get ready before everyone else. We all have the best intentions of making sure everyone else is put together, but it always ends with having hardly any time for ourselves. So, plan to get yourself 90% ready before helping anyone else so that you avoid getting stressed and snappy with the rest of the family.
5. Adjust nap/snack time accordingly. I never understood the importance of nap time and snack time until having twins. Managing a toddler’s schedule is like walking a tightrope. Try to set your little one up for a successful shoot by making sure they are well fed and have slept well before your shoot.
6. Communicate any preferences with me before your shoot. Is your best side on the right of your husband? If so, make sure to remind me when we begin your shoot.
7. Arrive 10-15 minutes before your shoot to make sure we start right on time.

What if all your Appointment Times are Booked and We Still Want a Session?

As many of you know, I stay home with twin 1.5 year olds, and my availability is limited. With that said, I could potentially fit in a handful of mini-sessions during the week at my home (with a pond as the background), but unfortunately I don’t have the margin this year to take on much more than the mini-session dates.

Will You Travel to Our House for a Family Session?

Unfortunately, I’m already booked up through the rest of 2020. With that being said, reach back out in March to schedule a spring family session.