Fall Mini Sessions in York & Lancaster, PA: Everything You Need to Know
Fall is hands down one of my favorite times of year for family photos. The colors, the cooler weather, the kids being able to run around without everyone melting — it just works. And every year, my fall mini sessions are some of my favorite sessions to photograph.
This year I’m offering fall mini sessions in York, PA and Lancaster, PA at four different locations, giving families several dates and settings to choose from.
If you’re looking for something with a little more time and flexibility, you can also learn more about my full family photography sessions.
So, what exactly is a fall mini session?
Fall minis are a shorter version of a full family session. Mine are 15 minutes, which I know sounds VERY short when you first hear it. Especially if you have kids and you’re already imagining how long it can take just to get everyone looking in roughly the same direction.
But 15 minutes is actually plenty of time.
I keep things moving, we don’t spend ten minutes trying to create one perfectly posed photograph, and I don’t expect your kids to stand there smiling at me the entire time. We’ll get the everyone-looking-at-the-camera photos, of course, but we’ll also let the kids move, play, run, cuddle and just be themselves.
Some of my favorite images usually happen somewhere in between.
Are 15 minutes really enough for family photos?
YES.
This is probably the biggest concern parents have about mini sessions, and I completely understand why. Fifteen minutes doesn’t sound like much time on paper.
But kids don’t necessarily do better because we give them more time. Sometimes it’s exactly the opposite.
With a mini session, we get started, keep things moving and we’re finished before most kids have had enough of me. There isn’t a ton of waiting around or pressure for them to behave perfectly.
And please don’t spend your session worrying because your toddler wants to run away, your five-year-old suddenly forgot how to smile like a normal human being, or somebody decides they’re absolutely DONE three minutes in.
I’ve been doing this a long time. We work with it.
Sometimes running away from Mom and Dad gives us the perfect opportunity to have them run back. Sometimes the kid who refuses to stand still gives me my favorite photo of the entire session.
Your kids don’t have to perform for me.
What happens during a fall mini session?
We’ll start with the photos I know you’re going to want — usually the whole family together — and then we’ll move through different combinations depending on your family.
That might mean the kids together, each child individually, Mom with the kids, Dad with the kids, Mom and Dad together, and lots of interaction in between.
I’m not trying to cram 47 poses into 15 minutes. I’d much rather give you a collection that actually feels like your family.
We’ll walk. We’ll play. We’ll snuggle. I’ll give you direction when you need it, and I’ll also photograph what happens naturally in between.
What should we wear for fall family photos?
Please don’t feel like everyone has to match.
Actually, I’d rather you didn’t.
Instead, think about coordinating. Pick a few colors that work well together and build everyone’s outfits around them. Earth tones, creams, denim, rust, olive, camel, muted blues and deeper neutrals photograph beautifully in the fall.
Texture is also your friend. Knits, layers, dresses, sweaters, boots and different fabrics add interest without making everyone look overly coordinated.
The biggest thing? Wear something that feels like you and that you can comfortably move around in. If you’re uncomfortable in your outfit, you’re going to spend the entire session thinking about your outfit.
And yes, I am always happy to help if you’re stuck between options before your session.
Where are the 2026 fall mini sessions?
I have four fall mini locations this year — two in York County and two in Lancaster County — with each location giving us something a little different.
Fall Sessions at York Township Park
Saturday, October 17, 2026
3:30–4:30 PM
York Township Park gives us plenty of open space, beautiful trees and a simple natural setting that keeps the focus right where I want it — on your family.
Fall Sessions at Long’s Park
Sunday, October 18, 2026
3:30–4:30 PM
Long’s Park is one of my favorite Lancaster options because we have so much variety to work with. Between the mature trees, open areas, walking paths and water, there are plenty of beautiful little spots tucked throughout the park.
Fall Sessions at Lititz Springs Park
Saturday, October 24, 2026
3:30–4:30 PM
Lititz Springs Park has so much character packed into one location. Between the water, stone bridge, pathways, mature trees and gorgeous fall color, it gives us tons of variety without needing to wander all over the place during a short session.
Fall Minis at John Rudy Park
Sunday, October 25, 2026
3:30–4:30 PM
John Rudy Park is a great option for York families with plenty of open space, trees and natural areas to work with. It gives us room for those classic family portraits while also having plenty of space for kids to move around and be kids.
What if my kids don’t cooperate?
First, define cooperate. 😂
If you mean, “Will my children stand perfectly still, look directly at Kara and smile naturally on command for 15 straight minutes?”
Probably not.
And thank goodness, because that would be weird.
I absolutely want that beautiful family portrait where everyone is looking at me. But I also want your little one’s actual laugh. I want the way your child reaches for you. I want them running toward you while you’re waiting with your arms open. I want the little things that actually feel like this stage of your family.
So please don’t spend your entire session saying, “Smile! Look at her! Stop! Stand still!”
Let me worry about that part.
Who are fall minis best for?
Fall minis are great for families who want updated photos without needing a full session, families who take photos every year, families who need Christmas card photos, couples, parents with younger children who do better with shorter sessions, or anyone who just wants a smaller collection of updated photographs.
If you’re looking for a slower experience with more time, multiple locations, lots of variety or a much larger final gallery, that’s when I’d recommend booking a full family session instead.
Neither one is better — they’re just meant for different things.
A little reminder before you book
Mini sessions run back-to-back, which means your scheduled time is your scheduled time. With a full session, we have a little more wiggle room. With minis, I can’t extend one family’s session without taking time away from the family scheduled after them.
Give yourself more time than you think you’ll need to get everyone dressed, loaded into the car, find the location and get settled.
Future you will be very grateful.
Ready for your fall family photos?
Fall in Pennsylvania doesn’t stick around nearly long enough, and these October dates give us that beautiful little window when everything finally starts looking like FALL. (IF the beautiful colors hang on a bit longer I will most likely schedule another day for minis)
If you’ve been putting off updating your family photos, come hang out with me for 15 minutes. You don’t need perfectly behaved children. You don’t need to know what to do with your hands. And you definitely don’t need to practice everyone’s smiles before you arrive.
Just bring your people.
I’ll take it from there.
York Township Park — October 17
[BOOK YORK TOWNSHIP PARK]
Long’s Park — October 18
[BOOK LONG’S PARK]
Lititz Springs Park — October 24
[BOOK LITITZ SPRINGS PARK]
John Rudy Park — October 25
[BOOK JOHN RUDY PARK]
August 28, 2026
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