The Heart Behind My Family Photo Mini Sessions | Minneapolis Family Photographer

I haven’t advertised family photo sessions in a few years and in fact I took them off my website My focus has been on senior photography (which I still absolutely adore), but this year brought a shift — one that’s rooted in some deeply personal moments.

Photo taken by brother's wedding photographer in Nashville in March 2024. I had no idea at the time how much I would cherish this family photo.

To get a little vulnerable for a hot second . . . Two months ago, my dad passed away. In the days that followed, our family did what so many do — we gathered photos. We pulled out old albums and boxes and sorted through decades of memories. Some were faded, some were lose prints, some shared forgotten. memories … but each one brought him back to us, even just for a moment. It reminded me just how much photographs matter. They are more than just images — they are anchors to our people, our stories, and our hearts.

At the same time, my middle child graduated and will soon be headed off to college. Cue another round of photo searching for her graduation party and senior poster — another reminder that time doesn’t slow down. In fact, this was the second year in a row (my oldest graduated high school in 2024) I was digging through our images including our own professional family photos. Again, time moves fast, and our families grow and change in what feels like the blink of an eye.

I tried once to do our own family photos and never again (lol). This family photo was taken by fellow photographer and friend Nealy Lanzen.

All of this has made me realize: it’s time to bring back family mini sessions.

Fall is such a gorgeous time for family photos in Minnesota.

One of the reasons I love family mini-sessions is that they’re quick, efficient, and honestly — super doable for busy families. I get it — not everyone is excited about a full-hour session with outfit changes and multiple locations (especially dads!). But a 20-minute session? That feels manageable. It’s just enough time to capture genuine smiles, sweet connections, and a few frame-worthy images — without overwhelming anyone. It’s a simple way to walk away with updated photos you’ll treasure.

This fall, I’ll be offering limited spots for family mini sessions in September and October. These short and sweet photo sessions are perfect for capturing your family just as you are right now — whether you’ve never had professional photos taken or it’s been years since the last time.

As a Rosemount family photographer (well, greater Minneapolis family photographer), I know how busy life can feel, and I know it’s tempting to wait until “the right time.” But I’m here to tell you: this is the right time. Your family today — with its chaos, laughter, and love — is already beautiful and worth capturing in professional family photos.

About to be senior parents, schedule your family photos before they graduate . . . the summer after graduation is so busy.

I’ve also started organizing my own family photos (finally!) after years of some of the older ones living in boxes. Trust me, there are plenty hanging around my house too. I found some beautiful albums online, and I’ll be sharing those soon. Because I believe your images should be more than files on a phone — they should live on your walls, in your hands, and in your life.

Stay tuned — I’ll be announcing the exact dates for my fall family mini sessions very soon, and I’ll be sharing tips on what to wear and how to prepare. But for now, I just wanted to let you in on the why. These photos aren’t about perfection — they’re about presence. And after the year I’ve had, I can tell you from the heart: that’s what really matters.

If you want me to send you an email with all of the information before it's released officially online, send an email to tracy@tracycaffreyphotography.com with the subjectline "2025 Family Minis".