If you're torn between a full portrait session and a simple session, you're not alone. "Which one is better for my family?" We get this question a lot! The answer will be different for each family and may even change from year to year as your kids grow and their needs and attention spans shift.

Lucky for you, we’re here to break it all down! Here’s a rundown of the differences between FULL sessions and SIMPLE sessions, along with some advantages of each. This way, you can decide which one fits your family’s preferences and needs.

all family sessions are immediate family members only — click me for extended family sessions
**All outdoor sessions are shot about an hour before sunset.** As moms to young children, we understand that outdoor sessions may not always work out for you in that time bracket - alternatively we can do day time sessions at our studio (located in New Lenox, IL).

Full Session Advantages

More Time Equals More Fun

More time means a more relaxed session. If you have particularly rambunctious kiddos or, on the opposite end, particularly shy kiddos who need time to warm up to new people and places, the longer session format will be your best friend. We’ll have time to explore the location, play games, get the wiggles out, and coax those genuine smiles.

A Diverse Gallery

If you love capturing all those little in-between moments, a full session is what you’re looking for. We have time to get the standard “look-here-and-smile!” shots that everyone loves for their holiday cards, while also having time to get creative and artistic with your images. You will also be able to walk around your portrait location, so we can move to several different backdrops for a much more diverse final gallery.

More Images to Cherish

A full gallery is a minimum of 60+ images. More options to choose from, and you know you are getting every single good image I took that day.

Your Choice of Location and Time

Maybe there’s a spot that's incredibly special to your family, or a location that you think is absolutely gorgeous and have been dying to get pictures taken in. You get to choose where your session takes place! You can choose from my curated list of Favorite Locations or suggest a place that’s best for you. Full sessions also have the option of taking place at golden hour, which takes advantage of the most beautiful golden light of the whole day!

Simple Session Advantages

Price Point

A full photo session is a big investment. This lower price point is a more manageable option for families who love to get updated images every year but don’t necessarily need to have “the works” every single time.

Short & Sweet

You know your kiddos best, and some little rugrats can truly ONLY hang for 20 minutes and then they are past the point of no return. I TOTALLY understand! If you know your kid is a total ham right out of the gate, mini sessions may be your best bet. (As a warning that goes along with this one, mini sessions are scheduled in a tight block and typically book completely up, so we have much less wiggle room when it comes to lateness, cooperation, etc.)

Just Need a Few Photos

Simple sessions include 15 images. After all, sometimes you don’t need a full gallery of 100 images to sift through.

Option to Upgrade

When you receive your proof gallery from your simple session, you will see more than 15 images. I know that you will have different favorite images than I do, and I don’t want to be the one deciding which are your top 15 images. I would much rather give you a selection of the very best images from your gallery and put you in the driver’s seat to decide your favorites. If you can’t narrow down your session to your Top 15, you have the option to upgrade your gallery to download all of the images shown in your proof gallery for an additional $100.

No matter which session you choose, we are going to make some beautiful images of your family and you’ll leave with a treasured collection of memories. We are so excited to see all of your beautiful faces this season and cannot wait to work with you!