I have a goal this fall which is really audacious. The most audacious goal I’ve ever had. I will be photographing 1000 mini sessions this fall. It sounds like a seriously large number, but I’ve done the math and it’s working. I started with a goal of 600, but then dream Sam thought I could do 1000 so here I go.

Each session lasts 10 minutes, which means I can do 6 sessions per hour. Originally I had it at 4 sessions per hour because it was 10 minutes with a 5 minute buffer. But after having done 2 rounds I’ve decided to remove the buffer. When the next family gets here I don’t tell them “oh I’m done but you have to wait” that’s silly! I ask everyone to arrive 5 minutes early and then I photograph the seessions back to back.

On beach locations I don’t like to shoot more than 2.5 hours before the sunset. So on beach days that means I can photograph 15 families. I am also experimenting with this schedule on beach days:

9:00 – 11:00 12 sessions

11:00 – 1:00 lunch break

1:00 – 3:30 15 afternoon sessions

3:30 – 5:30 long afternoon break to eat and go to new location

5:30 – 8:00 15 beach sessions

That’s a total of 42 sessions.

But on park days where I’m choosing a location with big trees and lots of shade I can shoot for even longer. I figure I’ve photographed hundreds of weddings which is between 8-10 hours, so I can absolutely work a day that long. I’ve found that most families actually prefer photographing in the morning to the evening. Which I’m guessing is because of nap time and bed time schedules! So here’s what we’re doing:

9-12 18 morning sessions

12-2 a long lunch break

2-4:30 15 afternoon sessions

4:30-5:00  afternoon break

5:00-7:30 15 evening sessions

That is 48 sessions on a long day.

So lets say 40 for easy math and in case people cancel – that’s 25 days of sessions. There are 20 weekend days between now and the end of November to photograph these. Plus allllll the week days where I can make up sessions to get to my number – even just one hour of mini sessions in the evenings is an additional 6 sessions. So I might leave beach sessions for just weekday evenings, which also gives me a little pick me up because I love going to the beach.

Tonight I already started my goal and photographed 7 sessions! Only 993 left to reach my goal!

Here’s a photo from my beach mini sessions:

Today’s Affirmations:

1. I can’t change how other people behave, but I can model good behavior.
2. I’m focused on my own success.
3. The less I respond to negative people, the more peaceful my life is.
4. I edit my life and its contents.
5. I get to choose who my friends are.
6. Today I let go of something negative in my life. This creates space for positivity in my life.
7. Each positive thought erases a negative one.
8. Other people don’t control my emotions. I do.