FORMERLY KNOWN AS COMMUNITY PICTURE DAY, CHILDHOOD MINI-SESSIONS ARE A QUICK, EASY, AND FUN WAY TO CAPTURE YOUR KIDDO JUST THE WAY THEY ARE AT THIS POINT IN TIME

LET’S HAVE SOME FUN!

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2024

Sligo Creek North Neighborhood Park
TAKOMA PARK, MD

*** MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED ON 11/4/24 ***

FAQs

WHAT IS A CHILDHOOD MINI SESSION?

Childhood Mini Sessions (formerly called Community School Picture Day) are an opportunity for children to have their annual portraits taken. We started offering these fun little sessions during the pandemic when schools were virtual so that kiddos wouldn’t have to miss out on this annual tradition. They have become wildly popular (even after schools reopened), and they are a whole lot of fun.

The sessions are quick, affordable and playful…. we’ll laugh, share jokes, play, dance, get silly, and embrace the innocence of childhood.

I take pride in providing an experience where the kids can relax and be themselves, and always try to include a “traditional” portrait with your kiddo looking at the camera.

Using natural light in the outdoor environment, I will create vibrant, playful images of your child that capture them exactly how they are at this moment in time. The results are genuine expressions and timeless portraits.

This is a great option for kids who may have missed their school picture day, or if you want a fresh alternative to the traditional, boring school photos. Scroll down for all the deets…this page is your go-to spot for information on how to prepare, and how to access your galleries once they are ready.

who is invited to participate?

Children ages 12 months - 16 years are invited to participate in Childood Mini Sessions. If you are interested in learning more about newborn sessions or high school senior portraits please contact me.

WHAT IS THE COST AND WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE?

A $35 session fee per child is due at the time of booking to reserve your spot on our calendar. This fee includes a 5-minute session, private online proofing gallery, and our time and artistic direction before, during, and after your session. Because of this, it is non-refundable. Prints and digital photos are not included in this fee and are purchased after your online gallery is delivered.

A la carte prints start at $10. Click here to view our price list.

For families with more than one child, please make sure to book one slot for each child. I will photograph them individually and together.

WHAT SHOULD MY CHILD WEAR?

One of the most fun parts of preparing for a mini session is picking the outfits!

This is an opportunity for kids to really express who they are. Look for clothing that fits your child’s style that is clean, nice, and comfortable. If your daughter hates dresses, don't put her in a dress. If your son can't stand wearing button-down shirts, don't put him in one. If your kid is sporty, let them wear something sporty. If your kiddos are like mine - highly opinionated about all things fashion - try offering 2-3 (parent-approved) options to choose from.

A few things to keep in mind when selecting outfits:

• Children will be photographed outdoors against a natural backdrop.

• Make sure your child’s clothing fits them well - not too baggy or too restricting.

• Solid colors work really well, and most shots are waist-up.

• Stay away from graphics and fluorescent or neon colors. Bright colors will reflect on your child’s face in their pictures.

• Coordinated layers are recommended. We photograph students outdoors and the weather can be unpredictable.

• Don't forget about accessories - necklaces, headbands, etc. can add a pop of color too!

• You may want to bring an extra top or sweater in your backpack, just in case snack time or art activities get a little crazy.

Looking for more wardrobe support? Learn more about our complimentary online styling service.

ARE SIBLINGS INVITED?

Yes! We love capturing the magic between siblings. Book your children in back-to-back slots and I will photograph them individually and together. Each child will receive their own individual album, and the sibling-together images will be delivered in a separate album.

CAN PARENTS JUMP IN FOR A QUICK PHOTO?

While we aren’t able to accommodate parents during school picture day, we can set up another time for a lifestyle family session. Click here to learn more.

Can we bring our pet?

Pets require a bit more time than we have available during Childhood Mini sessions, so we ask that you keep them at home this time. We would love to find another time for a lifestyle family session with your fur baby. Click here to learn more.

What if it rains?

I always keep a close eye on the weather leading up to my photoshoots and will make a Go/No-Go decision about 12-24 hours ahead of time. I have a canopy that I will set up to keep everyone dry in the case of drizzle/light rain. If it looks REALLY bad, then I will select a new date, notify all registered parents, and transfer all appointments to the new date.  

HOW do I place my ORDER?

Within 3-4 weeks of your session, you will receive the link to your proofing gallery via email. Each child’s album will include 2-5 images presented in both color and black and white. You get to choose and purchase the images you love most.

The gallery will be live for 7 days. You will be able to order prints, digital files, gallery wrap canvas, and other products directly from the proofing gallery. The ordering process is simple and secure.

CAN I TAKE A SCREENSHOT OF THE IMAGES?

No, you can't. I know it is super tempting, but this is really important to me as an artist and a business owner. All of the images are copyrighted so taking screenshots is not allowed. By participating in picture day, you agree that you will not take screenshots of the images and will refrain from posting to social media until after images are purchased. Thank you for understanding.

WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY ORDER?

Digital orders will be delivered via email within 1-2 business days. You will receive a link to download and save the images, along with a print release.

Physical products will be shipped directly to your doorstep within 5-10 business days depending on the shipping speed you select.

PROCESSING TIMES

Processing is the time it takes for your order to be sent to the lab and your products to be printed. Prints will be processed within 1-2 business days. Canvas orders take 2-3 business days to process. After they are processed, your products will be shipped to you

SHIPPING TIMES

Economy Shipping: 5-10 days in transit
Standard Shipping: 2-5 days in transit
Expedited Shipping: 1 business day in transit  

DO YOU OFFER RE-TOUCHING SERVICES?

Yes, we do! Please make sure to add this service to your cart and include a note during check-out with your specific requests. We will do our best and will reach out if we have any questions.

Retouching requests take 5-10 business days to process, depending on the extent of the retouching needed and our editor’s capacity. For digital images, the un-retouched versions will be available for download within 1-2 business days. You will receive a follow-up email as soon as the retouched images are ready.

WILL MY CHILD’S IMAGES BE USED FOR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES?

Glimmer Images educates future clients on the style of its work by sharing past client photos in an online portfolio, business social media pages, educational materials, advertisements, promotional materials, and preparation materials. However, we respect every client’s and model's privacy, and Glimmer Images will not use any images from your school picture day without express written consent from the parents of each child being photographed.  

Each parent will complete our Model Release Agreement during booking. This is how you will indicate your wishes and preferences for how the images may or may not be used. If you do not complete this form, we will assume they do not grant permission and we will not use any images for promotional purposes.