Lessons, Laughter, and Golden Light
Last September I decided to do something I had never done before: host my first set of fall themed mini sessions. I’ve photographed for years, but until then I had always stuck to full length sessions. Mini sessions felt like a new challenge with shorter time slots, back-to-back shoots, and the pressure to deliver a full experience in just 20 minutes or less.
I picked a location just outside of Garrison that I knew would give me versatility in a short timeframe. On one side there was a peaceful pond with calm, reflective water. On the other, a stretch of gravel road framed by tree lines that were just starting to turn those perfect shades of gold and orange. Add in the crisp September air and it was everything I could have hoped for.
Because lighting is everything, I planned each session for the last two hours before sunset, my favorite window of the day. Golden hour is truly magical. The way it wraps around people, softens every edge, and makes colors richer… it’s my love language as a photographer. For these minis it meant we were shooting in that soft glow for almost the entire evening, which gave every gallery that warm, timeless feel I chase in my work.
One of the best parts of hosting minis is the variety. I went from photographing toddlers with giggles that barely paused for the camera, to couples leaning into quiet, romantic moments, to families walking hand in hand along the road. Each group brought their own energy, and my job was to capture it authentically while keeping us on pace. Mini sessions move quickly, so you have to trust your instincts, read the light instantly, and keep people comfortable without losing the magic in the rush.
Then came one of my favorite curveballs of the day. A family showed up with white sheets and sunglasses and asked, “Can we do a ghost shoot?” I was instantly in. We found a patch of golden light breaking through the trees, and suddenly my autumn mini session turned into a perfectly spooky, hilarious set of portraits that I still adore to this day.
That’s the beauty of sessions like this. You can plan all you want, but the real magic often comes from those spontaneous, unplanned ideas.
Looking back now, it’s wild to see how much I’ve grown since that day. My editing has refined, my posing has become more natural, and my confidence in adapting to the moment is so much stronger. I think every photographer should constantly be evolving, learning, and stepping into situations that challenge their skill set, and mini sessions do exactly that.
They’ve also taught me how valuable these days are for connection. In just one afternoon I met so many new families and couples who may not have booked a full session but who now have photos they love, and in some cases, have since come back for more shoots. It’s a way to grow my portfolio, meet amazing people, and stretch my creativity all at once.
This year I’ll be doing Fall Minis again in both Bismarck and Garrison, and I can’t wait. Maybe we’ll do cozy couple’s portraits, maybe we’ll dance in the leaves, and maybe… just maybe… we’ll bring the ghost sheets back.
If last year taught me anything, it’s that there’s no such thing as “just” a mini session. Every single one is its own little story, and I can’t wait to tell the next batch of them through my lens.
