An Inside Look at Mini Sessions With Celeste Drake Photography

I’ve received so much wonderful feedback from mini session clients over the years, but this experience stands out as one of the most unforgettable.

It was approaching sunset (golden hour in Santa Monica), and I was in the middle of shooting mini sessions. Unbeknownst to me, a couple on a date had been sitting nearby, quietly observing as I worked. At one point, the man approached me and asked for a card, mentioning that he and his girlfriend might reach out in the future. I smiled, handed him a card, and went back to focusing on my sessions. Encounters like this happen from time to time, and while I always appreciate the interest, I didn’t think much of it in the moment.

Fast forward to later that year, and I received an inquiry from a woman about elopement photos. I was thrilled — elopements are some of my favorite moments to capture, filled with raw emotion and intimate beauty. The couple booked a post-elopement portrait session, and I couldn’t wait to meet them.

When the day arrived, the session was everything I could have hoped for: a mix of paparazzi-style candids, stunning architecture, intimate vibes, and a couple so deeply in love. It was pure magic, the kind of session that reminds me why I do what I do.

As we wrapped up, the woman shared something that stopped me in my tracks. She revealed that she and her husband were the same couple who had been watching me during my mini sessions in Santa Monica that day. She told me how captivated she was by the way I interacted with families, drawing out genuine emotion and creating candid, heartfelt moments. Hearing this was incredibly moving — being seen and appreciated in such an authentic way by a stranger-turned-client is a feeling I’ll never forget.

This client quite literally got to be a “fly on the wall” to a mini session before booking her shoot, and perhaps you wish you could be too. Well, this is the next best thing! I’m giving you an inside look at mini session photography, including what to expect, experiences with past clients, and how to make the most of these short but oh-so-sweet photoshoots. Let’s dive in!

Who Books a Mini Session Photographer?

While it’s most often families who book with me, my mini sessions are open to anyone and everyone! Whether you want to finally get the professional LinkedIn headshot you’ve been meaning to do or love your dog so much you need professional pictures with him, everything is welcome!

Popular Themes and Locations for Mini Sessions

My most popular mini sessions are during the holiday season (hello, Christmas card photos!) and the spring, when everything is starting to bloom. However, I do mini sessions throughout the year for the theme that you want, whether it’s a just-because friend date or a special moment you want captured. 

The theme usually helps dictate the location, too! Personally, I just love the beach. So many of us who live in the Los Angeles area don’t take advantage of the beauty that surrounds us, so I like choosing spots that showcase that. Plus, holidays on the beach… Can you get any more Californian? It’s so magical and unique.

What To Expect Before a Mini Photo Session

For mini sessions at the beach, I look for a flat surface that’s good for sitting on a blanket and hosting props. For props, I try to thrift my items as much as possible, often going for a Christmas, light, and airy feel. My go-to setup includes a large, light, dusty rose pink blanket and some sort of Christmas tree setup. However, this setup is always changing and evolving!

Styling at the beach depends on the direction the sun is setting, the angle of the blanket facing away from the ocean, and the placement of the tree. It changes with each location to best suit the space. 

When it comes to clients, they book their session with a deposit, receive a few prep emails, and digitally sign a contract — then they’re ready! Sometimes I help clients with styling clothes for the beach, depending on their needs. Minis don’t require as much prep work, and clients often know what to expect for these types of sessions, making the process smooth and enjoyable. However, if you need any help or have any questions, I am always happy to help!

Challenges I’ve Faced as a Mini Session Photographer

The biggest challenge in mini sessions is managing how the lighting changes from the first client to the last. We typically begin in the late afternoon, when the light is softer with yellow and white tones. As the day progresses, the light shifts to warmer hues, transitioning from golden hour to sunset. While I’ve long since mastered navigating these changes, it does require constant adjustments to camera settings throughout the afternoon and evening to make sure every shot is just right.

A less common but memorable challenge happened during a mini session a couple of years ago. I was photographing a family, and their little girl became increasingly frightened of my camera. For reasons I’ll never fully understand, her fear escalated to the point where we had to stop shooting and try to distract her just to get a few photos! I won’t lie, I felt disappointed. But, silver lining! One of the shots from the very beginning of the session turned out to be one of my all-time favorites. I ended up using it to promote mini sessions for years after that. 

What To Expect During a Mini Photo Session

So, what actually goes down at a mini session? The overall vibe is curated by you, the subject. I see my job as letting you and your family truly be yourselves so that your photos are genuinely your family’s spirit. Whether that be relaxed and in awe of each other, or playful and energetic, my goal is to let the authentic vibe that is your family shine through.

Unique or Unexpected Moments

Whenever families get up from our setup and run around together so I can capture candid, smiling moments, I feel a sense of surprised joy. It’s such a delight to see families being themselves, and I can preserve that through the lens with ease. I love how a lot of families just do it on their own without my direction — it’s so natural for them to start playing with their kids, letting their love shine through effortlessly!

Connection With Clients

To help clients connect and get comfortable on camera, I will often ask them to tell me the story of how they met — whether it’s a couple session or the parents in a family session. This often brings out giggles and always a heartfelt smile. I’ll often have clients dance, spin together while holding hands, or chase each other around the camera. Anything to get people interacting with each other in a way that shows who they are together.

Favorite Mini Session Shots

My favorite type of shot will always be a candid moment. Posed photos are wonderful and a great way to start a session, especially if you like to frame posed pictures, but candid shots evoke emotion and authenticity.

What To Expect After a Mini Photo Session

Once the magic of the session is over, I always let my clients know the approximate turnaround time based on my current backlog of galleries. Typically, I deliver mini session photos within 1-2 weeks. I also encourage clients to text or email me with any questions that may come up during the process.

I begin the editing process as soon as possible. I use Lightroom for most of my work, turning to Photoshop only when necessary. I carefully cull a curated selection of the best images from the session and edit them to stay close to reality. My editing style leans brighter and truer to life, keeping the photos natural, yet stylized and polished. 

Once editing is complete, I move on to curating the gallery. I personalize it for each client, selecting a banner image, choosing a title and styling for the gallery, and deciding whether to include the shoot date. I also set important details like session type, gallery privacy, print shop access, discounts, and who the gallery will be shared with. To finish, I write a personalized note to my clients, always expressing my gratitude and joy in capturing their special moments.

Choosing the Best Photos

When I say you’ll receive “all the best photos,” I mean every image that meets my standards for quality and captures the essence of your session. If the framing of the image is as intended, the lighting is correct, and you were ready for the photo (no blinking, awkward expressions, etc.), it will be included at no extra cost!

I also try not to be overly picky, like some photographers are, because I understand that you might love a photo that isn’t my personal favorite. Sometimes, a slightly imperfect shot can hold the most meaning or capture a fleeting, authentic moment. My goal is to provide a gallery that feels complete, full of images that authentically tell your story and give you plenty of options to choose from for framing and holiday cards.

What Makes Mini Sessions With Celeste Drake Photography Fun and Unique?

Mini sessions are all about beautiful results in less time. They are quick, relaxed, and ideal for families who want updated photos without spending hours in front of the camera. The magic of minis? All the connection, less chaos. If I had to describe my mini photo sessions in three words, I’d say…

Golden.

Authentic.

Lasting.

It’s true that not all mini sessions are created equal. Take the time to go through a photographer’s site and make sure their style resonates with you. Look for photos that you love, read through their reviews, and reach out to them. It’s important to not only find someone whose work you admire but also someone who feels comforting, kind, and easy to connect with during your decision-making process.

At Celeste Drake Photography, I am just as dedicated to capturing the shot in these short, 15-minute sessions as I am during a full-length session. That’s one of my favorite parts of minis. In 99% of my sessions, there’s a moment where I know I’ve captured the shot — the one that fills me with pride in my work and joy in being able to provide it to my clients. It’s in those moments that I feel so grateful to do what I love.

Is 15 Minutes Really Enough Time?

Yes! I know it sounds crazy… what actually gets done in 15 minutes these days? But the photos speak for themselves. 15 minutes is really all it takes to capture the love and connection between your family, and it’s so special.

And don’t tell anyone… but sometimes I let the last session of the day run a little long. We get swept up in the sunset, after golden hour, when the sky turns purple and orange. Sometimes, this is when a different kind of magic happens.

During one session, I let this happen because of how in the moment we all were. By this time, we were well into our candid, fun, relaxed time, winding down. The mama had her little girl in her arms and began to twirl her back and forth, producing warm, giggly smiles from the girl and a big, genuine smile from Mom. I snapped the shot. I cherish this photo. I can see it in my mind even now because it’s one of those peak moments — a real, cozy moment that a photographer dreams of capturing.

Do you want moments like this, captured in time to cherish forever? Let’s do a mini photo session together! Get in touch to learn more!