Childhood is magical and it goes by in a blink… and holy moly, it’s also so dang busy! Getting portraits taken shouldn’t be a hassle, but it can feel like just one more thing to stress about.

Personality Minis are a relaxed and simple way to get gorgeous portraits of your kids so that you can get back to the much more important business of snuggling and having kitchen dance parties! I make it easy so that you can avoid the hassle and get images you’ll love forever. I also offer adult portraits and more, all with the same ease. Everything you need to know is below.

So, why trust me to photograph your kids instead of someone else? I’m an exclamation point of a human being, and I absolutely love making portraits! I’ve been a photographer for almost 25 years, shooting celebs and global campaigns for some of the most recognizable brands in the world, often under the most intense, high-pressure conditions. I’ve literally seen it all. Trust me, nothing fazes me, I’m a cool cucumber. Big clients ask for me because I’m known for my innate ability to get immediately right into the moment and draw things out of my subjects that other shooters simply can’t. Plus, I’m really fast, so shoots are both speedy and painless. But it’s not only skills and technique. It’s just who I am at my core: connection is what drives me. I love humans and make it easy to be in front of the camera, I’m silly, I’m immune to embarrassment and I can get literally anyone to relax and get comfy in minutes. I make deeply personal, modern and timeless photos because portraiture is truly my great love and it’s also my life’s work.


ALL THE DETAILS!

  • WHAT’S INCLUDED IN A SESSION?
    Personality Mini sessions are for kids and teens under 18 (babies must be able to sit up on their own) and are photographed against a clean white backdrop at my Mill Valley Studio. Sessions are 30 minutes, allowing time to arrive, get settled, and ask any last-minute questions. Kids are photographed for 10-15 minutes (or less if they nail it!), keeping things spontaneous, quick, and low-pressure. You’ll receive a prep guide with wardrobe tips the day prior to the shoot, and you can also read preparation advice below.

    Sessions include 3 high-resolution black-and-white digital files, selected and retouched by me, sized for large-format printing, framing and sharing. Files are delivered in 4–6 weeks, often sooner. You’ll also receive a curated gallery of additional images available for purchase. I keep kids looking natural in my portraits but I’ll remove small scratches and scabs that aren’t permanent. Swelling and bruises don’t lend themselves to natural editing, so if your kid gets an injury prior to the session, just send over a snapshot and we can chat.

    Once you leave the studio, everything else is taken care of and all you have to do is relax!

    WILL YOU PHOTOGRAPH SIBLINGS TOGETHER?
    Yes, if you book back-to-back Personality Mini sessions for siblings, we can leave a few minutes at the end to photograph them together. That said, I can’t guarantee group participation - often it’s wonderful but sometimes it doesn’t work out.

    CAN I GET A PARENT + KIDDO PHOTO?
    Similarly to siblings, if you book a Personality Mini plus an adult portrait session, I can leave a few minutes for parent + kiddo shots. If you don’t need an adult portrait but just want a few images of you and your kiddo together, you can add that on, please see more details under Investment below. Kindly note, family sessions are booked separately, please see below for more information.

    WHAT CAN I USE THE PHOTOS FOR?
    Anything and everything for your personal use! Share them with family and friends, use them for holiday cards, print and frame them, or enjoy them on digital frames and slideshows. Please note, Personality Minis are for personal non-commercial/non-professional use only, so if you want your child photographed for a professional need (such as modeling or acting headshots) please inquire.

    DO YOU PHOTOGRAPH ADULTS, FAMILIES, OR PETS?
    Yes! While Personality Minis are just for kids and teens, I love photographing adults and offer professional portraits for business or social needs, custom headshots for aspiring actors and models, kids modeling/acting headshots, and a limited number of on-location and studio family sessions each year. Please inquire for details. Also, while I know pets are part of the family, due to allergies, animals aren’t allowed in the studio.

  • HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
    Personality Mini sessions are $650 per child and take place in my downtown Mill Valley studio. Each child requires a separate booking and a $325 non-refundable booking fee is required to reserve your session. You can add an adult + kiddo option (think parent or grandparent!) onto any shoot for $150 per adult. Each adult option includes an additional final retouched file. The remaining balance is due upon arrival prior to the session starting. Booking fees are non-transferable except in extenuating circumstances. If you need to reschedule your session, please give me at least one week notice so that I have a chance to fill the spot.

    SAVINGS!
    Siblings: Book siblings together (or combine an adult headshot with a Personality Mini) and get 10% off same day back-to-back shoots.
    Portrait Parties: Get a couple of families together for a portrait party: book 5 or more kids for same day back-to-back sessions and get 20% off each session.
    Return Clients & Referrals: I love photographing kids as they grow up! Get a 10% discount if you book another session within 12 months of your last session. If you refer a new client who books a session within 3 months, you’ll get an added 15% off your next session booked within the same calendar year. Discounts do not combine with the exception of referrals.

    CAN I PURCHASE ADDITIONAL FILES OR PRINTS?
    Yes absolutely, most people do! Additional retouched images are $100/file or $400 for 5 files. If you want prints, I can put you in touch with my trusted local lab where you can submit files yourself, or for a fee, I can have prints made for you.

  • “Oh my gooodnesssss, I’m obsessed 🥹🥹🥹 This is exactly what I wanted! Seriously thank you!!”

    "Love these so much, Lisa! Thank you for capturing him so beautifully. You're amazingly talented! These photos are seriously my favorite ever! ❤️"

    “I am obsessed with the photos Lisa. You are so talented. I appreciate these so much. Thank you ❤️”

    "Lisa, These are incredible. The depth and the character and everything. Love them so much. Thanks for bringing both of their personalities to life. What a gift."

    "I feel like you captured his soul."

    “We adore these. Thank you for sharing your talents with us! Can’t wait to hang them on our walls!"

    “Lisa took photos of my son (who is super shy and actually hates having his picture taken), and captured him SO perfectly! She’s the best, and I will treasure these forever!”

    “Photos of the kids are so lovely. Can’t thank you enough ❤️”

    “There is a thoughtfulness that goes into every aspect of the planning and execution of Lisa’s shoot—the clothing guidelines, the length of the session, the role of the parent, the interactions she has with the kids as she shoots. The results are magical and such a gift: not just beautiful photos capturing my kids’ personalities, but an unselfconscious interest and pleasure my boys now show in being found through the lens in this way. They actually ask me to take photos like they’re not looking and want to know when they can return to the studio! Thank you truly and deeply, Lisa. Your work is astounding.”

    “They are beautiful!!! Thank you so much! 🩷🩷🩷”

  • WHAT TO WEAR
    Choose a simple solid-color shirt with no logos, no characters and no words on it. Avoid patterns, graphics or anything overly adorned. The kid is the focus, not the clothing.

    FACE AND SKIN
    Please clean and moisturize their face, arms and hands. Remove temporary tattoos. With little ones, try to wipe/moisturize prior to arriving so the session can be stress-free. Fragrance allergy: please do your best to not use/wear or bring anything perfumed or scented into the studio, thank you!

    HAIR AND NAILS
    Keep hair as natural and simple as possible without accessories unless it’s a cultural or religious hairstyle. Please remove chipped nail polish.

    WHAT SHOULD I DO DURING THE PHOTOSHOOT?
    I have a comfy sitting area where you can hang out during the shoot because kids typically do best with their parents nearby but not behind the camera.

    Please note, due to allergies, animals aren’t allowed in the studio.

  • I’m a mama of two hilarious small humans, a Mill Valley native, and a serious cactus collector and poetry lover. I’m also a NICU baby cuddler (yep it’s a real thing) for sick teensy humans because I want to make the world less lonely. Professionally speaking, I’ve been an advertising and editorial photographer / director for almost 25 years. I’ve shot everything from global campaigns and celebrities to newborns and plenty in between. Emotional, tender-hearted, soulful portraits are what clients know me for and request most. My life (and work) is about delight and joy; I am so lucky that I get to spend my time turning ordinary moments into magic.