Last Minute Tips To Help Your Spring Mini Session Run Smoothly

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Spring mini session weekend is finally here and I know for many families there can be a mixture of excitement… and slight panic trying to get everyone organised and out the door on time!

After photographing families for over 10 years, I’ve learnt a few little things along the way that can really help your session run as smoothly as possible and help us create the best possible images together.

The most important thing to remember is your session doesn’t need to be perfect. Children will be children and some of the most beautiful moments come from the in-between moments, the cuddles, the laughter and the chaos.

Outfit Tips For Little Girls

When choosing dresses for little girls, always consider the length of the dress, especially if they’re little and likely to be sitting down for some photographs. You may want to check if nappies will still be covered once they sit down.

Another big thing to think about is hair. As much as we all hope for lovely spring sunshine, we do live in England and breezy weather is never far away! Hair blowing across faces can be distracting in photographs, so I’d always recommend considering styles that help keep hair away from the face. Clips, headbands, plaits or tying sections back can all work beautifully.

Comfort Over Everything

As much as we all want children to look lovely for the session, comfort is just as important.

If a child hates their outfit, finds it itchy, or the material bothers them, it’s often all you’ll hear about during the session and it can quickly lead to overwhelm or meltdowns. I’d always recommend trying outfits on before the day to make sure everyone feels comfortable and confident.

Think About Shoes

One thing many people forget to consider is footwear — but your feet will absolutely be in some of the photographs! Make sure shoes work well with your outfits before leaving the house.

Keeping Colours Simple

One of the biggest things I recommend avoiding is lots of heavy patterns. If everyone is wearing different floral prints or very busy patterns, it can draw attention away from the connection and emotion within the images.

Simple, soft tones always photograph beautifully.

Try to choose colours that complement each other rather than everyone wearing exactly the same thing. Think:

  • soft blues

  • creams and whites

  • browns and neutrals

  • pastel pinks

  • earthy tones

Avoid large logos and overly bold patterns where possible.

Bringing Dogs Along

I absolutely love when families include their dogs in sessions, but there are a few things worth thinking about beforehand.

Consider:

  • if they may need grooming before the session

  • what lead they’ll be wearing

  • whether you’re happy for the lead to potentially show in some images

And treats are always essential!

Little Things Make A Big Difference

Before arriving, it’s always worth giving little faces a quick wipe and checking for anything around mouths or noses before we begin.

These tiny things can make such a difference in final images and save extra editing later on too.

Don’t Pressure Children

One of the best things about outdoor sessions is that they can feel relaxed and fun.

Please don’t worry if your child doesn’t want to stand still or smile perfectly the whole time. Some children need time to warm up and that’s completely okay. We can play games, hide behind trees, explore and make the session feel natural rather than forced.

Often the most genuine smiles happen when children are simply being themselves.

Talk About The Session Beforehand

Something I always find really helps is talking positively about the photoshoot before the day arrives.

Tell your children about me, tell them my name, explain we’re going to have fun and take some lovely photographs together. You can even practise smiles beforehand if they’d like to.

This helps the session feel familiar and exciting rather than something completely new.

Most importantly, try to relax and enjoy the experience. Your children will always feed off your energy, so the calmer and more positive you are, the more relaxed they’re likely to feel too.

I can’t wait to see so many lovely families this weekend and capture some beautiful spring memories together.

Phoebe x