A breezy, beautiful way to update your family portraits
Each spring in Maple Lawn, something quiet and breathtaking unfolds. The trees, once bare, swell with soft pink blooms—petals layered like tissue and held just above eye level, inviting children to reach up, parents to draw in close, and families to linger in a space that feels both familiar and fleeting.
This year, our cherry blossom mini sessions aligned perfectly with the peak Kwanzan bloom. Over two afternoons in April, I photographed a mix of young families and expectant mothers in short, sweet sessions designed for ease. Just 15 minutes long, each session offered enough time for warm snuggles, giggles in the grass, and portraits that center mom—often the one behind the camera in daily life.
Why Mini Sessions Work for Real Life (Especially With Toddlers)
Fifteen minutes may not sound like much—but for toddlers, it’s the perfect sweet spot. Just enough time to warm up, smile at the camera, hug mom, and bolt off into the grass again. No bribes. No pressure. Just a little window of focused connection.
One family brought their toddler and almost eight-month-old baby for their first-ever sibling portraits. The toddler ran, jumped, and nearly tackled his brother in a burst of unfiltered enthusiasm—one of those chaotic, wonderful moments that only exists when we let kids be fully themselves. Their mother told me afterward how meaningful it was to have photos of her boys together at last.
That’s the beauty of minis: we get exactly what we need, and nothing feels forced.
A Beautiful Option for Expecting Moms
These mini sessions also offered a gentle space for maternity portraits. Two of the women who joined me were in their third trimester—one of them just a week and a half from her due date. She hadn’t planned a full maternity session but was able to step into this one at just the right time. We delivered her images just days before her baby arrived.
That kind of timing feels rare. And that’s what makes minis such a lovely option—they give space to show up as you are, right now.
Designed With Families in Mind
As with all seasonal minis, I offered a curated mood board ahead of time to help guide wardrobe choices—encouraging soft neutrals and textures that would complement the trees without distracting from the people beneath them. The setting, a green lawn framed by flowering branches, was intentionally chosen to feel clean and simple, with light filtering gently through the blossoms.
There’s no need for props. Just connection, movement, and the quiet beauty of a season in bloom.
A Simple Way to Stay in the Frame
Spring minis are more than a seasonal tradition—they’re a way to make sure you’re not always the one taking the picture. For many of my families, these short sessions have become the rhythm of their year. A quick, joyful way to stay present in the frame, to mark growth, and to create images that reflect what this season of life really feels like.
If you’re thinking about joining a future mini, I hope this post shows just how easy—and meaningful—they can be.
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