London Ontario Photographer | Choosing the Perfect Mini Session

So you’ve decided to book a mini—a twenty-minute session with a gallery of beautifully edited photos from which to choose your 10-15 photos (depending on the package). There are many reasons to opt for a mini session. Perhaps you have young children (or a partner) who can only handle a shorter session, or you only require a handful of fresh photos. Or maybe you want to have more than one session per year, and prefer shorter sessions in different locations.

Now the question is: Which mini session is perfect for you? Raw Footage Photographer offers a variety of seasonal mini sessions, each with their own charm and appeal. You might pick a mini session based on the setting (Maybe you’re more of a beach person than a woods person? Or maybe you need a location that doesn’t require much travel, or perhaps there are accessibility concerns to consider?), or you might pick a mini session based on the timing (Do you have a special milestone coming up in a specific month? A favourite season? A kiddo who doesn’t love the cold?), or maybe your children have an early bedtime, and a fall session—with its earlier time slots—works best for you.

If you’re ready to book, check the booking page to see what’s currently open. To be the first to know about future mini session booking dates (and to have priority to snag your preferred time slot), make sure you’re on the advance notice list, either by emailing me at sophie@rawfootagephotos.com or by filling out the contact form, with the subject line: “Advance Notice List".

Scroll through the images below for a brief description of each mini session offered.

Minis Offered in London, Ontario and surrounding area: Pine Forest Minis, Spring Studio Minis, Spring Bloom Minis, Beach Minis, Flower Farm Minis, Fall Woods Minis, Tree Farm Minis

London Ontario Family Photographer | Lifestyle Grandparent Session

This grandparent lifestyle session was such a joy to document. From decorating cupcakes (and eating copious amounts of sprinkles!) to reading books together, gardening in the back yard, a forest walk and—my favourite—playing the piano together. Grandma and Grandpa were so delighted to be spending time with their granddaughters, and the photos capture their candid joy. Here are a few favourites!

Cinematic Lifestyle Session - Downtown London Ontario Cafe + Arcade Family Photos

Introducing: RFP Cinematic Lifestyle Sessions

Cinematic, because the photos feel like paused frames from a cherished family home video. These longer sessions focus on activities and interactions and are documented with more of a fly-on-the-wall approach than a typical family portrait session. They also last longer, because you’re actually doing whatever activities you’ve chosen–I’m just along for the ride. Have a fun idea? Indoor, outdoor, any season—I’d love to hear it!

We’ll also dedicate a window of time to capturing a handful of lightly posed family photos, so you’ve got those as well (scroll to the last few photos to see what I mean).

For this session, I documented this adorable family as they strolled around the market, enjoyed hot chocolate and treats, and had a blast at the arcade. We also snuck in a few classic family photos in that creamy downtown golden hour light.

If you’re thinking, “my kiddo can barely handle a mini session”—don’t worry. These are not “stand here, look-and-smile” sessions that a child needs to “behave” for. With cinematic lifestyle sessions, you’re in the moment, in movement. These sessions allow for feelings, for getting bored, getting hungry, for changing the plan as needed. There’s no earning a special treat after the photos, because getting the treat is part of it.

Telling stories through images is more than just an overused photographer tagline for me. It’s always been the thing that drives me creatively, the meaning behind my business name. I want you to look at these images and think: “There we are. That’s totally us.”

Port Stanley Ontario Family Beach Session

Every year, I have the absolute privilege and pleasure of taking family photos at the beach for my dear friend and fellow photographer extraordinaire, Cynthia. Port Stanley is a meaningful spot for their family, and one of my favourite places to shoot—especially as the sun starts going down. These photos are from last year’s session, and I can’t wait to do it all again later this year!

Baby E | Niagara-on-the-Lake Newborn Lifestyle Session

It was so special to travel to Niagara-on-the-Lake for Baby E’s newborn lifestyle session. From engagement photos to wedding photos, and now to capturing the addition of their second child, I’ve loved documenting this beautiful family over the years.

London Ontario Family Photography - Westminster Ponds Extended Family Session

I loved spending time with this fun-loving extended family for their woodsy session in the Westminster Ponds conservation area back in 2019. My favourite with these sessions is always documenting cousins playing and grandparents loving on their grandchildren. Lucky me, each of these individual families has since gone on to book family and newborn sessions, and I’ve had the joy of staying in touch and continuing to document their growing families.

London Ontario Family Photographer | 2020 Summer Woods Mini Sessions

Booking for this year’s Summer Woods Minis opens up to the advance notice list today, so I decided to reminisce about last year’s sessions! I am so excited to finally start shooting again soon. Here are a few favourites!

London Ontario Family Photographer | Spring Family & Newborn Session

I loved photographing this beautiful family under the Magnolia tree with their newest addition. The session was equal parts running and playing with baby’s big sisters and cozy newborn snuggles among the blossoms. Here are some favourites!

London Ontario Family Photographer | 2020 Beach Minis

I’m reminiscing about last year’s Port Stanley Beach Minis on this rainy Monday! Beach minis are perfect for capturing fun, playful, candid photos either as a family or a couple. There’s just something about the beach that invites you to splash in the waves, dig your toes in as you walk along the shoreline and cuddle up on washed up beach logs. This year’s beach minis will tentatively be held on June 12th, August 11th and September 11th. To get first dibs on booking, email sophie@rawfootagephotos.com, subject line “Advance Notice Minis”, to get on the advance notice email list! The booking email for the first round of beach minis in June goes out TONIGHT. Here are some favourites from last year!

London Ontario Family Photographer | Backyard Winter Family Session

I had such a fun time with this family for their backyard family session. Winter sessions, backyard sessions and older child family sessions can all present certain challenges (the cold, limited space/lighting/background options, less options in terms of cuddling, playing, picking little ones up, etc.), and this session checked all of those boxes. And yet, this family session was so full of joy, laughter, playfulness and genuine cuddles, making my job easy and so much fun. Here are some favourites!