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Short, focused portrait sessions perfect for seasonal updates, holiday cards, and milestone moments. Professional mini session photography across Hampton Roads at a fraction of the full session price. 5.0 from 36 reviews · serving Hampton Roads since 2010.
What Are Mini Sessions?
If you have been wanting updated portraits but feel like a full session is more than you need right now, mini sessions are exactly what you are looking for. I created these seasonal photography events specifically for clients who want professional, beautifully edited images without the time commitment or investment of a full session.
A mini session is a 15–30 minute focused photography session held on a pre-selected date at a curated location. Because I schedule multiple clients on the same day at the same location, I can offer these sessions at a significantly lower price point — typically $199 to $350 — while still delivering the same fine art editing quality and artistic direction that Motiontography is known for.
Mini sessions are not rushed versions of a full session. They are intentionally designed to be efficient. I scout the location in advance, plan the best backdrops and lighting angles for the time of day, and come prepared with a clear vision so that every minute of your session produces gallery-worthy results.
Seasonal Calendar
Each one designed to take advantage of the best seasonal backdrops and themes Hampton Roads has to offer.
Romantic couples portraits, Galentine's sessions, and tasteful boudoir-light sessions that make the perfect Valentine's Day gift. Intimate, mood-driven sessions with soft lighting and warm tones. Studio sessions available with curated Valentine's backdrops and styling.
Spring in Hampton Roads is breathtaking — cherry blossoms, dogwoods, azaleas, and lush green landscapes. Easter-themed sessions, Mother's Day portraits, and fresh spring florals. Favorite locations include Norfolk Botanical Garden, Virginia Beach oceanfront, Suffolk parks, and tree-lined paths throughout the Seven Cities.
Golden hour beach sessions at Virginia Beach and Sandbridge, patriotic Fourth of July themed portraits, and back-to-school sessions. Scheduled during the magic hour before sunset when the light is warm, directional, and stunning on the water.
Consistently my most requested events. Autumn foliage creates rich backdrops of amber, crimson, and gold. Pumpkin patch sessions, Halloween portraits, and Thanksgiving family photos. Top locations: Great Bridge Battlefield in Chesapeake, Windsor Castle Park, Suffolk's downtown historic district. These book within hours of being announced.
Christmas tree portraits, holiday card sessions, and New Year's celebrations — studio-based mini sessions with curated holiday backdrops, twinkling lights, and festive props in our Suffolk studio. The single fastest-selling events I host each year. Join the VIP list for first access.
What's Included
Not a watered-down version of a full session. Here is what you can expect:
A focused, efficient session with professional direction. I plan every angle and backdrop in advance so we maximize every minute together. No waiting around, no wasted time.
Each mini session uses one curated location or studio backdrop selected specifically for the season. I scout and test every setup before event day so the lighting and composition are dialed in perfectly.
Your gallery includes 10–15 professionally edited digital images with Motiontography's signature fine art editing style — full color grading, retouching, and artistic enhancements on every single image.
Images are delivered through a private online gallery where you can download, share, and order prints. A full print release is included so you can make prints and products from any lab you choose.
A Taste of the Work
Tap any image to view full size.
Who They're For
Short sessions are a lifesaver when you have toddlers with limited patience. Get in, capture the magic, and get out before anyone has a meltdown. Twenty minutes is the sweet spot for genuine smiles.
Anniversary updates, dating milestones, or just because — couples mini sessions are a relaxed, low-pressure way to get professional portraits together without the formality of an engagement session.
High school seniors, college graduates, and anyone celebrating an academic milestone. A quick, affordable option for cap-and-gown portraits or casual senior photos.
Need an updated headshot for LinkedIn, your website, or social media? Headshot mini sessions are a fast, budget-friendly way to refresh your professional image without booking a full branding session.
Maternity bump check-ins, baby shower portraits, and seasonal pregnancy photos. A maternity mini session is a great complement to a full maternity session.
The number one reason clients book mini sessions — gorgeous holiday card photos done quickly and affordably. No more stressing over the annual family photo when a professional handles it in under 30 minutes.
Which Is Right for You?
Still not sure? Call me at 757-759-8454 and I will help you figure out which option is the best fit. There is no wrong answer.
Where We Shoot
I rotate locations throughout the year to keep things fresh and take advantage of seasonal conditions.
Our home base. Downtown Suffolk's historic streetscapes, local parks, and our private studio at 109 Abbey Rd offer versatile backdrops year-round. Studio sessions are especially popular for holiday and Valentine's mini sessions.
The oceanfront boardwalk, Sandbridge beach, and First Landing State Park provide iconic coastal backdrops for summer and golden-hour sessions. Nothing beats a sunset beach portrait on the Virginia Beach shoreline.
Norfolk Botanical Garden is a perennial favorite for spring sessions with blooming gardens and tree-lined pathways. The Ghent neighborhood and Waterside District also offer urban charm for portrait variety.
Great Bridge Battlefield Park provides stunning fall foliage with open meadows and wooded trails. Chesapeake City Park and the rural farmland surrounding the area offer a quiet, pastoral backdrop.
The Mariners' Museum Park in Newport News offers beautiful lakeside settings with Spanish moss-draped trees. Fort Monroe in Hampton provides a unique combination of waterfront views and historic architecture.
Colonial Williamsburg's timeless architecture and brick-lined streets offer a stately backdrop unlike anywhere else in the region. Olde Towne Portsmouth provides charming waterfront and historic district scenery for intimate sessions.
Don't Miss Out
Here is the truth about mini sessions: they sell out fast. I typically have between 8 and 15 time slots per event, and once they are gone, they are gone until the next seasonal event. The clients who book first are almost always the ones on my VIP notification list.
When a new mini session event is scheduled, my VIP list gets first access to time slots — usually 24–48 hours before the event is announced publicly on social media. This head start makes a real difference, especially for fall and holiday sessions.
Getting on the list is easy. Follow me on Instagram at @motiontography for real-time announcements, or call 757-759-8454 to get added to the VIP notification list directly.
Prefer a Full Experience?
Good to Know
Mini Sessions
Quick, playful sessions for kids and milestones. Reserve with a $100 retainer.
Spots Fill Fast
One of the easiest ways to get professional, fine art portraits without a major time or financial commitment. Whether you need family photos, holiday cards, a fresh headshot, or a seasonal keepsake — do not wait until it is too late.
