Your Fun Film Photography Mini Session

Film

May 3, 2024

As a Milwaukee photographer, I’ve had the chance to do all kinds of work. Wedding photography, pregnancy sessions, engagements, and family photos all bring me a lot of joy. Photography mini sessions are unique in that we pack a fun, grounded experience into a short amount of time. One of the best parts? It’s all on film! This blog post explains what you can expect at a photography mini session along with some of the milestones you might want to preserve. 

A family of three poses for a Milwaukee photographer during a photography mini session.

Your Film Photography Mini Session: What to Expect

You want to know what to expect going into a mini session as much as you would with a full photography experience. Here’s the rundown, including what’s unique about doing this with film photography.

A man and woman hold a child's hand during a mini session on film photography.

The Feeling

In my experience, people end up loving photography mini sessions. It might seem like you have to pack a lot into a short amount of time, but my approach is more about getting you to connect with your people. You get to be playful and fun. Film portrays that energy perfectly. You get high-quality images that give you instant nostalgia. 

A man and woman pose for a film photography mini session.
A man and woman kneel beside a dog and smile for a Milwaukee photographer.

All of the images in this blog post are film photography. If you want to explore even more film-forward sessions, check out these blog posts:

A child lays in a field of wildflowers smiling at a Milwaukee family photographer.
A family poses for a Milwaukee family photographer in a field.

The Timing

I schedule photography mini sessions to be short and sweet. Typically, they take twenty minutes or less. That might not sound like a lot of time to settle into the experience, but I encourage people to embrace the moment and the people they’re with. My clients come away excited about the images we’ve created before I even get them developed. 

A man carries a child on his shoulders beside his wife in a Milwaukee park.
A couple sits under a tree with a child during a photography mini session.

Another positive aspect of having such a short time frame is that it can be much easier to wrangle young kids. I’m all for those candid photos! If you know you want some more posed portraits, though, it’s easier to get kids to do that in a short burst.

A baby sits on his parents' laps and smiles at a Milwaukee family photographer.
A man and woman hold a baby in a Milwaukee park.

The Medium

Every photographer approaches photography mini sessions a little differently. I design mine around my favorite medium, 35mm film. Film photography is amazing – intentional, tangible, real. 

An engaged couple holds hands in a field.
A man twirls a woman in a field in a film photo.

Film is also a very different experience than digital photography in some ways.  My mini sessions include one roll of 35mm film. That’s 36 exposures. Instead of non-stop clicking, I consider what’s the best way to capture your story in each frame. 

A man and woman hold hands in a field with wildflowers behind them.
A woman jumps on a man's back and kisses his cheek in a film photography mini session.

After our mini session, I send the film to be scanned. Then I deliver them to you via a digital gallery. Usually, I deliver between 25 and 35 photos. The exact number depends on the conditions of the moment. Film isn’t completely predictable, but that’s part of its magic.

A woman poses with her baby in front of a tree with orange and green leaves.
A couple walks through a Milwaukee park with their baby during a photography mini session.

The Setting

A photography mini session could take place just about anywhere. In the past, I’ve done them in parks around the Milwaukee area. I especially love holding mini sessions in studios. Studio allows so much control over the environment. No matter how terrible the weather, we can create a gently lit, calm environment for your love to shine. Here’s an example of a creative studio maternity session to give you a sense of what’s possible in the studio.

A baby sits between his parents looking at a Milwaukee film photographer.

Mini Session-worthy Milestones

There are so many reasons to treat yourself to a film photography mini session. You don’t really need a reason to document your joy with a timeless aesthetic. Part of the draw of a mini session is that it costs significantly less than a full photography session while giving you the same heirloom-quality images.

A baby reaches for wildflowers in a Milwaukee park.
A baby in her mother's arms looks at a Milwaukee film photographer.

If you’re looking for an excuse to book a session, though, here are some moments you can commemorate:

  • An engagement
  • Pregnancy 
  • Friendship
  • A birthday 
  • Anniversary 
A man and woman take turns carrying their baby through a Milwaukee park.
A baby lays on a blanket during a family photography session in Milwaukee.

You can always use one of your favorite images for a holiday card, pregnancy announcement, or gift, too. The point is to preserve this unique time in your life even if you aren’t able to commit to a full portrait session. You can hold onto this moment forever. It’s even more heartwarming on film. 

A woman carries a baby on her hip in a photography mini session.
A man tosses a baby in the air as a woman looks over his shoulder.

Are you interested in a photography mini session? I’m a Milwaukee photographer specializing in film. Let’s create photos you can feel. Reach out to me!

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