Docu-Mini Sessions - Whaat? | The mini session for extraordinary people
If you were searching the Google for fall family mini sessions and came across this page, Congratulations! You’ve found something a little different.
What is a Docu-Mini session?
A docu-mini is something I made up! As a documentary family photographer mini sessions are not something I usually offer. My regular Day In The Life sessions take hours! It takes time to build comfort and intimacy required to tell the honest story of a family in pictures.
If you are unfamiliar with Day In The Life sessions and documentary family photography, you can read more about it here. In short, it’s a reportage style approach to family photography where I capture your day to day, real family life as if I was a photojournalist and my assignment is to tell a story of your family.
But fall is mini-session mania in Austin, and I wanted to provide something for families who want to update their family photos this season but don't see any offerings that feel quite right for them. Maybe you’ve never felt comfortable posing, or maybe you just want something a little different this year. So these are a mini 45-minute version of my Day In The Life session, intended to capture a single, short family activity, plus a few minutes spent getting a family portrait.
How do Docu-Minis differ from a regular mini session?
Most mini sessions require you to show up at a specific location, exactly on time for your 15-20 minutes slot of posed photos. You all get dressed up, and fingers crossed, everyone is in a good mood. Stress!!!
Docu-Minis are 45 minutes of shooting time with me, IN YOUR OWN HOME
There will be 10-15 minutes of light, fun poses to get you all in the frame together, if you would like, though this part is entirely up to you.
The remainder of the session is pure documentary - where you do you, so I can capture just a tiny fraction of your real, extraordinary family life.
But what do we actually DO during our mini session?
I can understand how it could be hard to wrap your head around the idea of having me come over to your house, and then kind of ignore me while I take pictures of you going about your business!
I admit, it sounds a little strange and it does take a little bit of time to relax and be yourselves while I click away. That's why my regular Day In The Life sessions start at 2-3 hours and go all the way to 12 hours. By the time I leave a clients home they've lost all their inhibitions, it feels like we've known each other forever and I've been able to make an intimate and honest story about their lives.
Unfortunately, we don't have that kind of time here!
For Docu-mini sessions it's a good idea to have something planned that you like to do, or regularly do together as a family. It doesn't need to be something special, it could be a very normal part of your day. But after few minutes of posed shots, we'll switch to documentary and I won't be giving you any more direction. So have a couple activities in mind, even if that plan changes at the very last second!
Here are 10 activities to spark ideas for you Docu-Mini Session:
Climb a tree
Run through the sprinkler
Take the dog for a walk
Do some yard work
Brush teeth and read a bedtime story
Have a tea party
Get out the finger paints!
Just hang out on the couch together in a cuddle puddle
Wrestle on the bed
Eat popsicles together (I'm totally assuming fall will continue to be hot as all get out!)
The most important factor is that you are together doing something you enjoy as a family, even if it is completely routine. The connections you have with each other will be visible. So even though the time I have with you will be short, your photos will be full of intimacy and personality.
What to wear for your Docu-Mini Session
I know you have questions about this one.
Here's the deal. I don't really want to tell ya what to do!
That's my whole thing - to capture you as you. My deepest desire is that you wear what you feel the most comfortable and the most yourself in, that you wear in your real life. If you're my daughter, that would be your Princess Elsa dress. If you're me, it's shorts and a tank top and probably no shoes. I don’t want you to be thinking about your clothes while you’re spending this time with your family.
Now, if you want to get all fancy, because it's how you feel the most joyful, I won't stop you! But you may be running through the sprinklers in that cocktail dress once our 10 minutes of posing is over!
I am not going to tell you anymore about what to wear, other than FEEL LIKE YOURSELF. The same goes for your kids, your partner, your pets, the grandparents or anyone else who will be present at this session. (Did I mention pets and grandparents are welcome too?)
However, I will give you a few things to avoid:
Plaid, small checks or very skinny stripes (just don't photograph well in every situation)
All white
Big logos, graphics or words (Caveat: unless they are meaningful to you or your kid. Spiderman costumes welcome)
And my biggest one: NO matching outfits. Unless you wear identical clothes or color coordinate on a daily basis, please, please don't do this. For me. thanks.
That's it! Those are my guidelines. Wear clothes that are YOU in your real life.
What to do with your family photos after your mini-session
One thing I know for sure is that you do not need more photos on your phone.
The story that unfolds during a documentary family shoot is always a surprise - I have absolutely no idea what will happen and it’s part of what I love. But I do know that your final gallery will be full of honest moments that capture who you are. FOR REAL, and that the whole darn thing will be an experience of ease a delight for all of us!
So what should you do with all these delightfully, real family photos?
I have two words for you. PRINT THEM. You need more family photos on your walls, in an album or casually hanging out on the fridge where they can be small interruptions of joy in your everyday life.
Your Docu-Mini session fee includes 8 hi resolution digital files of your choice
You can download and print them anywhere you like. You will also have the option to purchase more from your gallery or have me design a beautiful, fine art album or photo box for you that will preserve this snippet of your family story for your grandchildren's grandchildren.
My labs and suppliers are the Cadillacs of fine art, archival printing and framing! They are small businesses who offer a curated range of hand crafted, luxury products. I chose them for their attention to detail, commitment to sustainability and the highest standards of quality control.
Below are some of my favorite ways of preserving and experiencing family memories in print.
Heirloom Albums
Made to be enjoyed for lifetime and then some! These gorgeous albums are printed on thick fine art paper with archival inks, hand bound and personalized in your choice of luxury leather, silk or cotton.
Each album is delivered inside a protective eco-cotton sleeve and sturdy kraft box or you can upgrade to a custom, handmade clamshell box for the ultimate in elegance and protection.
Available in 6x6, 8x8 and 10x10
Starting at: $850
Wall Art
Museum grade construction and materials ensure your framed pieces will remain as vibrant as you are!
Each fine art print is matted using acid free, 100% cotton matte board, protected behind museum UV acrylic and framed with your choice of sustainably harvested hardwood or contemporary frame.
Create a gallery wall or go BIG with a statement piece.
starting at: $850
Photo Boxes
A beautiful keepsake for your own mantlepiece or a grandparent gift that is sure to be oohed and aahed over.
Sets of 12 mounted and matted fine art prints inside in a handmade, personalized cotton box.
These prints are ready to be framed or displayed as is with the included wooden stand. Change out your favorite every week or every day!
Available in 4x6 and 8x10.
Starting at: $400
Folios
A stylish way of showing off your favorite photos that also makes an excellent gift.
The can be stood on end for display or kept closed.
Handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail and with the full range of fabric and personalization options.
Available in 6" or 8" duo or trio options.
Starting at: $150
Leather Print Wallets
Sets of 4x6 fine art prints nestled inside a hand cut and stitched leather print wallet with personalized engraving or foiling in gold or silver. The sweet little collectible for the future. Make one for each family member.
Prints come in sets of 12 / 24 / 36
Starting at $150
To learn more about my love of print and see more photos, take a look at this blog post.
If your Docu-Mini session is coming up in the next couple of weeks, I hope this has been a helpful resource to prepare you for what to expect and how to continue to enjoy these memories in your daily life.
And If you’ve just stumbled upon this blog and are stoked to give documentary family photography a try, booking is open.