SUCH big news!!

Ohmygosh, ohmygosh, ohmygosh, This post is going to be long and loaded with info and long...but very very exciting.  For me, at least. I am announcing a new Humbletakes undertaking. Here's the idea: Mini-mini sessions Here is the story: I am always trying to figure out a way to provide my clients with the best solutions and products possible. I was brainstorming a way to offer easy, affordable, and stress-free photo sessions for small families, busy small business owners, high school seniors, and pretty much everyone else. I was chatting with my husband and my sister and my brother-in-law and several other people who have kids....as well as budgets. We came up with, what I think is, an absolutely brilliant idea.  I have always offered mini sessions. Short, but full, family sessions. These sessions are economical but are still quite an investment. Especially if you want amazing updated pictures of your kiddos more often than once a year. Here is the plan: mini-mini sessions, or MMS (for short and for the coolness factor of using an acronym...also because try saying, or typing, mini-mini sessions five times fast...it's exhausting and I am all about not doing things that are exhausting)! This is how it works, I will be setting up different dates (usually Saturdays) and different locations throughout New Orleans. You will be able to choose between the backdrop I will have set up or the natural surroundings where ever we are. You show up and we have a blast for a little while and then you're done. About a week later, I will email you a link to your "proofing gallery" from which you will get your choice of 7, 12, or 20 (session time dependent) high resolution images. I will email these images directly to you! Any additional digital prints you would like will be $10/image. I am hoping to have at least one MMS day once a month...except maybe in the freezey months. Shooting in sub-degree temperatures just doesn't sound fun to me. Let's just get hot chocolate instead, yeah? The schedule will be based on demand and weather. If I get tons of inquires and can't fit all of you amazing peeps into one Saturday then I will plan another!!  Here is your investment:  The time slots will be in either 20 or 35 minute increments and there are 3 packages to choose from. The first package includes a 20 minute session (best for 1-3 kids) and 7 digital prints for $145. The second package is a 35 minute session (best for 3-6 kids) that includes 12 digital prints for $185. The third package is a 35 minute session that includes 20 digital prints for $200.  Remember: additional digital prints can be purchased for $10/piece! Here are the perks: These sessions will be quick, easy, affordable, and you will have amazing professional photos of your adorable babies (see the bottom of this post). If you need updated pictures for grandparents, holiday cards, or just cuz your kiddos are growing up so darn fast then this is the set up for you. Sidenote: I am speaking mostly to families, but this is also a great option for fast and cost effective headshots for your business cards, website, and/or social media! Also for engagements and senior photos! Here is the disclaimer: I will have to run a tight ship on MMS day so everyone will have to be on board. Unfortunately, this means that if you're running late, your clock starts ticking when your time slot starts. There will be a 5 minute buffer on either side of your shooting time to prep kids (wipe faces, fix bows, etc) and for me to do any re-setup that is necessary. Because these sessions are time sensitive, and only one day a month, we want the session block to be as efficient as possible. What this means is once you schedule and pay for your time slot (which is done in advance) there are no refunds for missed or late session times (barring inclement weather). Also, if your munchin, who is normally a happy bouncing doll that never, under regular circumstances, screams with the fury of a thousand suns, is having a tantrum devil fit, then that's what we have to work with. I will do my absolute best to work my photographer magic and hopefully we will be able to pull him out of the dark abyss of anger...but I can not guarantee that your pictures will not reflect exactly what the mood was during the session. With all of that being said, I think these sessions will be absolutely amazing! They will solve the conundrum of wanting beautiful professional pictures but not wanting to spend a portion of your child's college fund. They will be fun and fast. Two things I really like!  Ok, so if you're all like, "Oh yeah, this is perfect! I love this idea. Melissa, you are so brilliant and beautiful and wonderful and I wish I could be just like you! Sign me up NOW!" then all you have to do is get on the email subscription list (sign up just right over there...just there, on the right side bar...yep, right there! You will get up to date info on up and coming MMS days so you can be sure you won't miss out!). If you're all like, "Nay, my kids are crazy and I just don't think it is physically possible to get great pictures of them in 20 minutes." Then I have a little treat for you. Below, you will find the results of a MMS. An actual MMS. Time restraints and all. These four crazies done in LESS THAN 20 minutes....by "less than" I mean we did it in, like, 17 minutes! But still...mind. Blown. Now I realize that these kids are a bit older and didn't require much coaxing for smiles. However, they are still kids; short attention spans and forced smiles and all. The proof is in the pudding. Together, you and me, as a team....we can do this. Tips for your session:  * ARRIVE EARLY! I would argue that this is the most effective way to ensure your session will go as smoothly as possible. Rushed kids are not, usually, happy kids. * Make sure your kiddos are fed and caught up on sleep.  Don't schedule during nap time. I get pretty cranky, wild-eyed, and screamy when I am tired and/or hungry. I don't blame little ones for acting the same way under these circumstances. * Have snacks, hairspray, wipes, sippy's, etc. at the ready. *Schedule your session time according to reality. If you have 5 kids under 5 it's a much better idea to schedule a 35 minute session rather than attempt to defy the laws of the universe and cram them all into 20 minutes. On the other hand...if you have 5 kids all older than 8, the odds of a 20 minute session being successful are much higher...still pushing it, but much higher. Remember that the schedule is tight and I can't push back someone else's session because you were praying for a 20 minute miracle. *Relax, even if your kids are not cooperative that day, you will get some "true to reality" pictures that you can cherish forever......and use as blackmail when they're in high school. Oh, the power you have! You guys, I can't wait to get this up and running. I am thrilled to take on this new adventure and this new, for me, method of providing my amazing clients with some additional options to meet their photographic needs. If you have absolutely any questions about the sessions, scheduling, prints, pricing, anything...please email me at melissa@humbletakes.com.  I love you guys!  Shoot ya Later :)  Ok, so let's check this out! This is my true blue and official MMS! I had these kiddos for 20 minutes but didn't even need it!  AND, you guys, these aren't even aaallll of the pictures. I'm telling you, these sessions are quick and, with the right "encouragement", (tickling, mostly...very effective for real smiles) a blast!  Enjoy, you lovelies. Hopefully I will see you very soon at an upcoming MMS!!