People enjoying a beautiful mountainous landscape with misty peaks and evergreen trees during golden hour lighting.

Seattle and South Sound

Mini Session Photographer


Casual fall family portrait on rocky beach shore with autumn trees and coastline in background.

West Seattle + the Pacific Northwest


Seasonal Mini Sessions

A gentle moment shared between parent and child wearing matching floral patterned clothes in soft sunlight.

Seattle's #1


Mini Photo Sessions

Mini Family Photography
Two people embrace on a garden path surrounded by autumn foliage with golden and red leaves in the background.

Because life is full—and beautiful—even in the rush.

If you're a busy parent, you already know the struggle: you want updated family photos, but between work schedules, school, naps, and the mountain of “just one more thing”s... it never feels like the right time. Full-length sessions can feel overwhelming to plan, and sometimes, your kids have a 15-minute window of cooperation—if you're lucky.

That’s where Seasonal Mini Sessions come in.


What is a Mini Session?

A mini session is a short, pre-scheduled photo shoot—usually 15 to 20 minutes—in a carefully chosen location, during the most magical light of the season. It's designed to be low-stress, efficient, and still filled with meaningful, frame-worthy moments.

You show up. I handle the rest.

They’re perfect for:


  • Busy families who want updated portraits without the time commitment
  • Capturing your kids as they are right now
  • Holiday cards, wall galleries, or gifting to grandparents
  • A fun seasonal tradition that doesn’t take over your calendar


The Pros + Cons of a Mini Session

Pros

✅ Short + sweet – ideal for little attention spans

✅ Lower price point than full sessions

✅ Beautiful, pre-scouted seasonal locations

✅ Great way to get annual family updates

✅ Fast-paced and fun—no time to overthink or stress


Cons

🚫 Limited time means less room for flexibility or outfit changes

🚫 Not ideal for large groups or extended families

🚫 Minimal customization (the location, date, and setup are chosen in advance)

🚫 Not the best choice if you want a full storytelling or documentary-style session

A family sits together on a large driftwood log at the beach with evergreen trees and rocky shores in the background.

Real Moments, Just a Little Quicker.

A couple shares an intimate moment together while sitting on a wall surrounded by red flowers and greenery.
A family sits together on wooden porch steps decorated with holiday lights during winter.

Seasonal Mini Session Lineup

Each season brings its own kind of magic. These are the tried-and-true mini session offerings I return to every year, with occasional pop-ups added based on weather and demand.


Spring

🌷 Motherhood Minis – At Home or In the Wild

Gentle, connection-focused sessions celebrating the beauty and chaos of motherhood—snuggles on your couch or wildflowers underfoot.


Summer

🌹 Rose Garden Minis – Bloom-filled portraits in peak color

🫐 Blueberry Adventure Minis – Candid morning moments in the berry patch

🌻 Sunflower Minis – Joyful sessions among the blooms


Fall

🍂 Lincoln Park Minis – Coastal trails + fall leaves = perfection

🌿 SSCC Arboretum Minis – A hidden gem with rich autumn color

🌊 Seahurst Beach Minis – Earthy textures and crisp light

🏡 Fall at Home Minis – Real-life moments in your cozy space

🎄 Tree Farm Minis – A festive favorite with holiday vibes


Winter

Holidays at Home Minis – Snuggling in PJs, decorating cookies, reading by the tree, lighting candles, spinning dreidels or whatever your families holiday traditions might be—let’s bottle up that warm holiday feeling in real life.

Are Mini Sessions Right for You?

If you want a quick, simple, beautiful way to mark the season, a mini session might be just what your full calendar needs.

But if you're dreaming of a longer, more relaxed session with more flexibility, let's chat about a full Real Life Family Session instead.


Either way, your family's story matters—and it deserves to be remembered.

A group of people standing together outdoors wearing winter clothing including knit hats and jackets.

Mini Sessions Investment

Each session includes:

10 high-resolution digital images to choose from a gallery of 60+

20 minutes at the mini session location

Session planning questionnaire and/or phone call

Location and activity advice

Styling advice (if desired)

Access to the online print shop directly from your gallery


$325


Mother and baby relaxing together on grassy hillside wearing casual clothes and cozy blanket in natural outdoor setting.
Close up view of hands decorating a gingerbread house with white icing during festive holiday baking.

Want first dibs on mini sessions (before they sell out)?


Seasonal minis tend to go fast—and once they’re full, that’s it until next year.


Join the Sound Roots Photography newsletter to get early access to booking dates, sneak peeks at upcoming locations, and exclusive updates delivered straight to your inbox.


📬 No spam, just real-life moments and first-in-line perks.


Group wearing black and plaid clothing stands casually together outdoors against white wall on overcast day.
Testimonial

Ali has become my go to brand and family photographer, we've used her three different times now! We are always so in love with our photos, and she's great with my very energetic, very defiant toddler


Stephanie
West Seattle
A family poses together outdoors in autumn with vibrant red maple leaves and trees in the background.
Testimonial

We love working with Ali! We’ve done so many sessions with her that I’ve lost count, and she always gets great shots of our two little kiddos that perfectly capture their personalities.


Andrea
Ravenna
Three people lying together on grass in a relaxed pose during a sunny summer day.
Testimonial

Ali was incredible to work with!! Not only was she already familiar with the park we shot at so she had suggestions of where to have us pose, but she had creative ideas on getting my family engaged with each other so we looked natural!! I am in love with our family photos and even my husband who hates getting his picture taken was very comfortable and enjoyed the process. She kept it quick and simple so our little one wasn't getting bored and now we have incredible photos to cherish. I look forward to working with her again!


Korbi
Seattle
A person in a polka dot sweater holds a baby wearing a pink knit sweater while looking out a window.
Testimonial

Ali is an incredible photographer, extremely nice and her website and communications are very easy to maneuver. Would highly recommend her to any families looking for family photos!


Mia
West Seattle
Two siblings wearing matching winter holiday themed pajamas with Christmas trees and holiday patterns lay on the floor together.
Testimonial

Ali at Sound Roots Photography was absolutely amazing! She made our family feel so comfortable and captured beautiful, authentic moments in the comfort of our own home for our Christmas cards. The photos turned out incredible, and her turnaround time was super fast. We couldn’t be happier with the experience and will definitely be using her services again in the future!


Tina
Issaquah

What to Expect

1. Book Your Session

Choose your date and time—need ideas or a pep talk? Just reach out through the contact form. A 50% deposit confirms your spot!

2. Get Prepped

You'll get a quick questionnaire, session prep guide, and style tips straight to your inbox. Everything you need to feel ready.

3. Session Day

Time to relax and enjoy! I’ll guide you every step of the way while you soak up time with your people in front of the camera.

4. Gallery + Final Delivery

Your proof gallery lands in 2–3 weeks—grab a coffee or a glass of wine and soak it all in. Choose your favorites, finalize your order, and I’ll send over your final edited images. Print orders take 2–4 weeks to arrive.

 

FAQ

 

Will my images be on social media?

I love sharing the images I create. Sharing helps my small business a TON. And if for any reason, your family would rather opt out, please let me know and your wish is my command!

Do you travel outside of West Seattle?

Yes! Mini Sessions are often outside of West Seattle, so stay tuned and sign up for the newsletter!

When do you release mini session availability?

Typically mini sessions are announced and the availability calendar opens 3-4 months in advance.

Learn More on the Blog

"It’s not how long you spend, it’s how deeply you feel." — Anonymous