My annual Christmas mini sessions in Lansing are all wrapped up for the year and I wanted to take some time in the next few weeks to share more than just a few sneak peeks. Since many of my clients are using these for their Christmas cards, I limit my online sharing to sneak peeks… but the blog gets the full highlight reel!

When Xav and I met Matt and Kara almost a decade ago, we met them as potential clients looking for wedding photographers. As we got to know them throughout the wedding planning process, we quickly became fast friends (Matt and Kara wedding photo). Throughout the years and multiple cross-country moves, we have followed their adventures and eagerly looked forward to any time we get to spend with them. This year, their Michigan visit lined up with mini sessions and I was elated when they booked the first spot of the day on the morning of November 29th!

It is always a rush to get into the Lansing studio with all of my gear and props and get set up before the first clients arrive, but Xav helped me get it all done in record time and then Matt and Kara brought me a hot decaf coffee to start my day! (Decaf always feels like such a treat since “what’s the point of coffee if not for caffeine?” But ever since going caffeine free in 2024, decaf has felt like a fun splurge.)

Whenever I meet kids for the first time at a mini session, I wonder how long it will take them to warm up to me and if they will be smiley by the end of the session. All Matt and Kara’s kids needed were some snuggles and they were as happy as can be! It was such a joy to capture some of the sweet giggles, soft cuddles and holiday memories for our dear friends and we even got to meet up with them after the mini session day was over for a hometown dinner in Williamston!