PERSONALITY MINIS
Personality Minis are quick, lighthearted, playful kiddo/teen-focused portrait sessions that bring out the shining inner human that your kiddo is! They’re shot in my studio in downtown Mill Valley and are all black & white. This is an organic and spontaneous way to remove the pressure and expectations that sometimes feel a bit heavy when booking a photoshoot. I rely on play and delight to get images that will forever make you remember exactly who your kiddo was at this moment in time.
ABOUT ME
I have been a high-end advertising and editorial photographer/director for over 20 years and I have photographed everything from huge global campaigns to celebrities to newborns and everything in between. I am known for my ability to getting right into the heart of my subjects in a way few other photographers can. As a parent and Mill Valley native, I’ve finally decided to open a studio and offer kiddo sessions which previously were by referral only. I love humans! I appropach portraiture as a way to give space and focus to whopever I’m photographing, and in this way I enable people to feel seen and connected. My portraits come from play, deep joy and lightness that enable people to be exactly who they are in front of my camera. I create magical images that capture personality at a moment in time.
COST
Personality Minis are $365/child (sibling discount available, see FAQ below). Sessions include 3 high resolution digital images of your choice from a curated gallery of roughly 20 images. Additional files are available for purchase.
THE BASICS
Wear a plain white or black t-shirt, no colars, ruffles, logos/graphics etc. Bring kids with clean moisturized face and arms and clean/natural hair. Remove polish, temporary tattoos, jewelry etc.
DETAILS
Please read through the FAQ below for all the information! In a nutshell, each session is for one individual kiddo, so each kiddo requires their own booking. This enables me to celebrate each kiddos’ individuality! Siblings can be photographed together at the end of the session (group participation can’t be guaranteed though!)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS!
How much is a session?
The cost of the session is $365/child. Each child requires their own booking. You will receive 3 high resolution printable digital files that you select from a curated gallery of approximately 20 images. Additional files are available for purchase, see below.
Cancellation Policy
A $100 non-refundable booking fee is required for each session. If you need to reschedule your session, please give us at least one week's notice so that I have a chance to fill the spot. Booking fees are non-transferable unless there are extenuating circumstances.
Is there a discount for siblings?
Yes! A 10% sibling discount applies to families booking two or more back-to-back sessions, when purchased together at the time of booking. After you book your sessions the remaining price will be adjusted prior to your balance payment date.
How long is a session?
Each session is approximately 15 minutes. Kids do best when it’s spontaneous, quick, and low pressure!
What ages do you photograph?
Personality Minis are for under-18s and are for for personal non-commercial/non-professional use. Babies need to be able to sit up on their own or hold themselves sturdy with assistance from a parent. If you want your child photographed for a professional need (such as modeling headshots) please inquire for a custom session. I love photographing adults too, so you can always add on an adult session for a headshot or social profile; please inquire for pricing.
What is the turn around time for the gallery?
Galleries are sent out approximately 4-6 weeks after the shoot, often sooner.
What should my kiddo wear?
Dress your child in plain and simple clothing and choose either a white or black shirt. Make sure there are no logos, patterns, fancy ruffles/collars/sleeves etc. because it’s key to to making sure that nothing distracts from their face and personality.
How do we prepare for the session?
This is important! Here are the key things:
1. Face: Make sure that your child's face is clean *before* you arrive - kids don’t always love having their faces wiped so it’s best to do this beforehand so the portrait session can be joyful and easy.
2. Skin: Please moisturize their face, arms, and hands the morning of the session and come free of crumbs and boogies. Please remove temporary tattoos.
3. Hair: Keep their hair as natural/simple as possible without accessories unless it’s a cultural or religious hairstyle.
4. Nails: Please remove chipped nail polish.
Is practicing expressions helpful?
In a nutshell, nope it’s not! It’s best to let the session unfold naturally and spontaneously. Preparation can actually make a kiddo less willing to participate. This is pressure-free and low key so it’ll be a fun time!
Are you able to edit out scratches, etc?
I try to keep kids looking natural, but as a parent myself I also recognize that kids get so many owies! I’ll remove small scratches and scabs that aren’t permanent, but swelling and discolorations are tricky to edit out naturally so I don’t remove bruises. If you have any questions, just send over a snapshot and we can talk.
What should I do during the photoshoot?
Usually kids do best with their parents nearby but not behind the camera so that I can capture their attention and focus, so I have a comfy sitting area for you to hang out nearby where you can watch. For younger kids, it can be a team effort! This said, I’m very flexible for whatever feels best to you, and the best results come from quick, low pressure sessions.
Will you photograph siblings together?
If you book back-to-back sessions for siblings, we can leave a few minutes and try to get them together at the end. However, I can’t guarantee group participation - sometimes it’s magic and sometimes it doesn’t work out.
Do you photograph families?
Personality Minis are focused on solo kid/teen portraits. I do offer occasional family sessions which can be booked separately.
Do you photograph pets?
Nope, sorry. I know pets are a big part of the family but animals aren’t allowed in the studio.
Do you offer photos in color?
Nope, Personality Minis are black and white only.
Can I purchase additional image files and prints?
Yes, additional files are $50/each or $300 for the whole gallery. For prints, I can put you in touch with my trusted lab and you can submit files yourself, or for a fee, I can have prints made and drop shipped to you.
