2024 Family Mini Session schedule + Booking info!

24 January 2024

Session booking is officially live!!  Click HERE to access the booking site and reserve your date!

Another great new year is ahead, and I'm so excited to get to work with you all coming up as the weather warms up!!  It’s time to get a head start on booking your family and senior photos for the year!  Just head over to my booking website HERE to see what is currently available (all dates will be visible February 1st at 9:00 am), and to complete the process!  A $50 retainer fee is due upon booking to reserve your spot, and the remaining balance will be due one week prior to your session.  Once I receive your booking, I will reach out to you personally within 24 hours to confirm, and discuss any other details needed for planning your session.

Family mini sessions: The price is $350 plus tax, which includes a 30-minute session at one of the dates and locations specified below!  This comes with a complimentary download of your unedited proofing gallery, as well as 20 fully edited images of your choice.  If you decide to choose additional edits, they are $10 per image.  Some dates and locations are subject to travel or permit fees.  I will indicate below if that applies to your session date.  Please add this on when you are checking out for your session.  For 2024, I will be holding the majority of the mini sessions on Monday and Tuesday evenings only. 

Seniors:  These will be held on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, or you may reach out to me if you need another date/time that will work better for you!  These sessions are $300 plus tax and come with all the proofs, and 20 edited images of your choice.  We can use 1-2 locations, and you can bring a couple outfit changes.  If you and a friend want to do your sessions together, you may take $50 off each of your sessions with the discount FRIEND50, when each of you individually checks out.  Please let me know if you want to do this, and I will add a second time slot on the same date for your friend to book from.

Full family sessions and extended families:  You may choose from any of my open dates on Fridays or Saturdays.  Or if you need a morning or other custom date, just send me an email at melaniericephotography@gmail.com and I will see how I can help!  

Of course, dates are subject to adjustment, if needed, if we run into unfavorable weather.  We will handle those on a case-by-case basis.  I do my best to predict the optimal times for spring blossoms, summer wildflowers, and fall foliage, but of course we are at the mercy of Mother Nature!  We can absolutely adjust bookings or locations, when needed, to get the most ideal conditions.  Typically, the spring blossoms range from about mid-April to mid-May, the summer wildflowers range from end of July-early August, and the fall colors start in the mountains in late September and remain in the valleys until early November.  At the end of November, we may have snow in the mountains.

Family mini session openings are limited to 2 families per evening.  If we have full sun that day, the earlier family may end up with brighter sun in their photos (but I am very used to this, and I am totally comfortable shooting in full sun!).  If you have an earlier spot and would like a few more shots after the sun sets and the second family is done, you are more than welcome to wait around and we can do a few more!

I will be in my home state, Colorado, July 8-11.  Please scroll to the bottom of this post, and you will see my availability for Colorado!  All of these will be offered as mini sessions.  I need to fill at least 6 spots to make the trip.  Locations can be flexible for the Colorado trip, if you have somewhere else in mind that you would like to go.  Just email me and we can see what we can do to make it work!

I look forward to working with you and all of your wonderful families this year!!  Thank you so much, as always, for your support of my business and my little family!  It brings me so much joy to be able to do what I love!  Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions about the process, locations, or anything else I can help with!!

Be sure to check out my family session prep guide HERE for more tips, outfit ideas, and other ways to optimize your session experience!

2024 Calendar (see what is currently available and book your session HERE):

March 18 and 19:  Downtown Provo – 5:30 and 6:00 pm
March 25 and 25:  Star Mill in American Fork – 5:30 and 6:00 pm
April 9, 15, and 16:  Utah State Capitol cherry blossoms ($25 travel fee) – 6:00 and 6:30 pm
April 22 and 23:  Kaysville orchard blossoms ($25 travel fee) – 6:00 and 6:30 pm
April 29 and 30:  Santaquin orchard blossoms – 6:00 and 6:30 pm
May 6 and 7:  Utah State Hospital orchard blossoms – 6:00 and 6:30 pm
May 13 and 14:  Big Springs in Provo Canyon – 6:15 and 6:45 pm
May 20 and 21:  Utah County yellow mountain wildflowers – 6:30 and 7:00 pm
May 27 and 28:  Alpine poppies – 6:30 and 7:00 pm
June 3 and 4:  Alpine poppies – 6:30 and 7:00 pm
June 11:  Bonneville Salt Flats ($100 travel fee) – 7:15 and 7:45 pm
June 24 and 25:  Tibble Fork Reservoir – 6:30 pm, and Utah Lake – 8:00 pm
July 1 and 2:  Tibble Fork Reservoir – 6:30 pm, and Utah Lake – 8:00 pm
July 8-11:  Denver, Colorado sessions (dates are listed at the bottom of this post)
July 14 (Sunday):  Young Living Lavender Farm ($25 permit fee) – 8:00 and 8:30 pm
July 15 and 16:  Albion Basin wildflowers ($25 travel fee) – 7:00 and 7:45 pm
July 23:  Albion Basin wildflowers ($25 travel fee) – 7:00 and 7:45 pm
July 29 and 30:  Albion Basin wildflowers ($25 travel fee) – 6:45 and 7:30 pm
August 5 and 6:  Albion Basin wildflowers ($25 travel fee) – 6:45 and 7:30 pm
August 12 and 13:  Jordan Pines campground ($25 travel fee) – 5:45 and 6:15 pm
August 19 and 20:  Big Spring Hollow – 6:30 and 7:00 pm
August 26 and 27:  Tibble Fork Reservoir – 6:00 pm, and Utah Lake – 7:30 pm
September 3:  Bonneville Salt Flats ($100 travel fee) – 6:00 and 6:30 pm
September 9 and 10:  Tibble Fork Reservoir – 5:30 pm, and Utah Lake – 7:00 pm
September 16 and 17:  Big Spring Hollow – 5:15 and 5:45 pm
September 23 and 24:  Buffalo Peak (includes a 15-minute drive on a bumpy dirt road) – 5:45 and 6:15 pm
September 30 and October 1:  Guardsman Pass ($25 travel fee) – 4:45 and 5:15 pm
October 7 and 8:  Jordan Pines campground ($25 travel fee) – 4:15 and 4:45 pm
October 14 and 15:  Nebo Loop – 4:00 and 4:30 pm
October 22:  Bonneville Salt Flats ($100 travel fee) – 4:45 and 5:15 pm
October 28 and 29:  Spanish Fork River trail – 4:30 and 5:00 pm
November 4 and 5:  Spanish Fork River trail – 3:00 and 3:30 pm
November 11 and 12:  Big Spring Hollow – 3:00 and 3:30 pm
November 18 and 19:  Great Saltair ($25 travel fee) – 3:15 and 3:45 pm
November 25 and 26:  Jordan Pines campground ($25 travel fee) – 2:45 and 3:15 pm
December 2 and 3:  Christmas tree farm, location TBD – 3:00 and 3:30 pm

Denver, Colorado family mini sessions in July:
July 8 (PM):  Elk Meadow Park – 6:00 and 6:30 pm
July 9 (AM):  Hildebrand Ranch Park – 6:30 am
July 9 (PM):  Standley Lake – 7:00 and 7:30 pm
July 10 (AM):  Hildebrand Ranch Park – 6:30 am
July 10 (PM):  Chautauqua Park – 6:15 pm, and Lost Gulch Overlook – 7:15 pm
July 11 (AM):  Van Bibber Park – 7:00 am














Now booking for FALL! + New booking process

17 August 2023

Hello friends!  Thank you so much for your ongoing support of my photography business!  It means so much to me to be able to capture these memories for you!  I wanted to share a few big announcements:

  • All bookings and availability will now be handled via my booking site HERE!  I am so excited about this process, and feel that it will help streamline the process and help you schedule sessions that are more customized to the locations you want!
  • Fall booking is officially LIVE, and my availability is listed on the booking site until Thanksgiving!  I will announce periodically when I am ready to open up new dates into the next year.  But as of right now, the books are open for the fall!  For your reference, it is usually pretty green in the mountains until late September.  Fall colors peak the end of September and first two weeks of October in the mountains.  If you know if you would like reds (maples) or yellows (aspens), or see any specific location I have posted before, please feel free to list this in your booking info!  End of October and early November we can usually find the remaining fall colors (oranges and golds) in the valley, but typically none in the mountains.  The forest look at some of my favorite mountain locations looks timeless year-round though!
  • I will be in the Denver, Colorado area September 8-11, so if you would like to see what I have available in Denver that weekend, please see this blog post HERE!
Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support of my family and my photography business!  It has been so wonderful to see my returning clients, and meet so many wonderful new families this year!







Denver, Colorado 2023 Sessions

28 July 2023

Hello friends!  I’m heading to Colorado in September, and I would love to capture your family!  The following below is a list of location options for various dates, but everything is flexible, if there is somewhere else you would like to go.  These are just potential options, but I am always open to going somewhere new!  These sessions will be $350 plus tax, and include a complete download of all of your unedited proofs, and 20 polished edits of your choice.  Crossed out times are booked.  Let me know if you have any questions, and just shoot me a message if you want to go ahead with booking a date!  My email is melaniericephotography@gmail.com, or you may call or text me at 801-865-7089.  Looking forward to working with you!!

September 8:  6:00 and 6:45 pm:  Three Sisters Park
September 9:  7:30 am:  Hildebrand Ranch Park
September 10:  7:15 am:  Doudy Draw Trailhead
September 10:  5:30 pm:  Mount Falcon Park
September 10:  6:15 pm:  Meyer Ranch Park
September 11:  7:00 am:  Three Sisters Park

Other alternate options:  Flatirons Vista Trailhead, Kenosha Pass, Elk Meadow Park, Van Bibber Park, or anything else you can think of!







Summer 2023 Utah Mini Sessions

20 May 2023

Hello friends!!  It's that time again... I'm getting ready to book my SUMMER dates!  I'm so excited to get back up into our beautiful mountains!!  Family mini sessions are $350 plus sales tax, and that comes with 20 high resolution polished edited digital images of your choice.  You will also be able to download your entire proofing gallery in high resolution (100+ images).  All travel and location fees included, unless otherwise specified.

Please note that due to the record breaking snowfall we have had this year, locations like Albion Basin may not be as expected or in peak wildflower bloom around when it usually is.  I will watch these locations closely, and we can modify dates as needed!

Please see my current family session guide HERE for the booking policies/process, ideas of what to wear, and lots of other helpful info!

Grab your session date today by sending me a message!  Feel free to reach out by email or text at melaniericephotography@gmail.com or 801-865-7089 with any questions.  Thank you for your interest!

2023 Utah Summer Family Mini Sessions

**dates will be crossed out when booked -- current as of 8/17/23.  Dates/locations are adjusted occasionally as needed. Please refer to this list for the most current availability.**

June 12:  Big Springs Park (Provo Canyon) - 6:45 and 7:15 pm
June 13:  Jolley's Ranch (Hobble Creek Canyon) - 6:30 and 7:00 pm
June 15:  Tibble Fork Reservoir (American Fork Canyon) - 6:30 pm
June 15:  Utah Lake - 8:00 pm
June 19:  Snowbasin (Ogden canyon) - possible wildflowers - 6:30 and 7:00 pm
June 21:  Big Springs Park (Provo Canyon) - 7:00 and 7:30 pm
June 28:  Stewart Falls Trailhead - 6:15 pm
June 28:  Utah Lake - 8:15 pm
June 29:  McPolin Barn in Park City - 6:30 and 7:00 pm
July 1:  Stewart Falls Trailhead - 6:15 pm
July 1:  Utah Lake - 8:15 pm
July 3:  Tibble Fork Reservoir (American Fork Canyon) - 6:30 pm
July 3:  Utah Lake - 8:15 pm
July 17:  Bonneville Salt Flats (add $75 for travel) - 7:30 and 8:00 pm
July 19:  Lavender farm in Mona - 8:00 and 8:30 pm
July 21:  Big Springs Park (Provo Canyon) - 6:15 and 6:45 pm
July 25:  Albion Basin wildflowers - 7:00 and 7:45 pm
July 29:  Tibble Fork Reservoir in American Fork Canyon - 6:30 pm
July 29:  Utah Lake - 7:45 pm
August 2:  Stewart Falls Trailhead - 5:45 pm
August 2:  Utah Lake - 7:30 pm
August 3:  Albion Basin wildflowers - 6:45 and 7:30 pm
August 4:  Albion Basin wildflowers - 6:45 and 7:30 pm
August 5:  Albion Basin wildflowers - 6:45 and 7:30 pm
August 7:  Albion Basin wildflowers - 6:45 and 7:30 pm
August 9:  Albion Basin wildflowers - 6:45 and 7:30 pm
August 11:  Albion Basin wildflowers - 6:45 and 7:30 pm
August 12:  Bonneville Salt Flats (add $75 for travel) - 7:00 and 7:30 pm
August 14:  Albion Basin wildflowers - 6:30 and 7:15 pm
August 15:  Albion Basin wildflowers - 6:30 and 7:15 pm
August 16:  Albion Basin wildflowers - 6:30 and 7:15 pm
August 18:  Albion Basin wildflowers - 6:30 and 7:15 pm

All dates beyond August 18 are now going to be listed on my booking website HERE, in which you can choose your own date and location!




Spring 2023 Mini Sessions

17 March 2023

Hi friends!!  It's that time of year again!  Time to think about your spring photos. The warmer days and blossoms are right around the corner!

Minis are $350 plus tax for an immediate family, or $300 plus tax for a senior/individual. Pricing includes a 30-45 minute session, booked back to back with one other client.  Your session includes 20 edited high resolution digital images of your choice, as well as the complimentary download of ALL of your proofing gallery images in high resolution.  If you desire a full session (longer session length, and only your family per evening) you may always do so, and I can give you a list of dates I am available.

Please email me or call/text me for inquiries!  My email is melaniericephotography@gmail.com, and my cell number is 801-865-7089.  I'm excited for all of my upcoming spring sessions!

Please see my current family session guide HERE for the booking policies/process, ideas of what to wear, and lots of other helpful info!

I will begin booking for the summer (mid-June until end of August) during May.  Keep an eye out for announcements regarding summer booking!

Spring 2023 Family Mini Session Dates:

**booked dates will be crossed out - current as of 6/2/23**

**Please note that blossom dates are subject to change based on weather and blossom availability at the various orchard locations.  I will watch the locations closely and update these dates as indicated, but the dates I have listed below are my best estimate based on past years.  Also please note that locations are flexible if the whole date is still available... please feel free to reach out to me, and we can adjust accordingly if you are the first client to book that date!

April 17:  Utah State Capitol blossoms - 6:00 and 6:30 pm
April 18:  Fruit Heights, Utah orchard blossoms - 6:00 and 6:30 pm
April 23:  Legends in Springville (seniors only) - 6:00 and 6:30 pm
April 24:  Santaquin, Utah orchard blossoms - 6:00 and 6:30 pm
April 28:  Downtown Provo - 6:00 pm
April 28:  Utah Lake - 7:30 pm
April 30:  Utah County blossoms (location TBD) - 6:00 and 6:30 pm
May 1:  Utah State Hospital orchard blossoms - 6:00 and 6:30 pm
May 5:  Utah State Hospital orchard blossoms - 6:00 and 6:30 pm
May 9:  Utah State Hospital orchard blossoms - 6:00 and 6:30 pm
May 17:  Big Springs (Provo canyon) - 6:15 and 6:45 pm
May 22:  Jolley's Ranch - 6:15 and 6:45 pm
May 26:  Big Springs (Provo canyon) - 6:15 and 6:45 pm
May 31:  Tibble Fork Reservoir - 6:30 pm
May 31:  Utah Lake - 8:00 pm
June 5:  Snowbasin mountains/possible wildflowers - 6:00 and 6:30 pm
June 6:  Tibble Fork Reservoir - 6:30 pm
June 6:  Utah Lake - 8:00 pm








Fall 2022 Family Mini Sessions - Northern Utah, St George, and Colorado

06 September 2022

Fall is around the corner!!  I am so excited to start booking my Utah and Colorado fall dates for family mini sessions. Please note that I am also offering one St. George date this year, in addition to my usual Northern Utah dates!  Family mini sessions are $350 + tax (except for the two snow/winter dates, detailed below), and include a 30-45 minute session at one of the dates and locations listed below.  Mini sessions include 20 high resolution digital images of your choice, and the option to add on more edited images, if desired, at $10 per image.  All sessions also include a complimentary high resolution download of your proofing gallery!  I over-shoot, and over-deliver!  You will have tons of extra images to have as a fun keepsake of your session. 

**dates will be crossed out when booked — current as of 10/25/22**

Utah Fall Dates:
September 20:   Jordan Pines Campground (Big Cottonwood Canyon) - 5:00 and 5:45 pm
September 22:  Snowbasin (Ogden canyon) - 4:45 and 5:30 pm
September 26:  Tibble Fork Reservoir (American Fork canyon) - 4:45 pm
September 26:  Alpine Loop (American Fork canyon) - 5:45 pm
September 27:  Big Springs Park (Provo canyon) - 5:00 and 5:30 pm
September 30:  Snow Canyon (St. George) - 5:15 and 6:00 pm (added permit fee required)
October 1:  Pioneer Park (St. George) - 6:00 and 6:30 pm
October 7:  Payson Canyon (upper Nebo loop) - 4:15 and 5:00 pm
October 10 (AM):  Jolley's Ranch (Springville canyon) - 8:45 am
October 10:  Payson Canyon (lower Nebo loop) - 3:45 and 4:30 pm
October 19:  Payson Canyon - 3:45 and 4:30 pm
October 20:  Tibble Fork Reservoir - 4:30 pm
October 20:  Highland Glen Park - 5:30 pm
October 25:  Payson Canyon - 3:45 and 4:30 pm
October 26:  Spanish Fork river trail - 4:30 and 5:00 pm
October 28:  Highland Glen Park - 5:00 and 5:30 pm
November 3:  Wheeler Farm - 4:00 and 4:45 pm
November 4:  Downtown Provo - 3:30 pm
November 4:  Utah Lake - 5:15 pm
November 8:  Spanish Fork Canyon - 3:45 and 4:30 pm
November 11:  Wheeler Farm - 3:00 and 3:45 pm
November 14:  Antelope Island - 4:00 and 4:30 pm
November 18:  Spanish Fork Canyon - 2:30 and 3:15 pm

Winter / Possible snow sessions ($200 plus tax, 15 minute session, 10 images of your choice):
November 27:  Jordan Pines Campground (Big Cottonwood Canyon) - 1:00, 1:20, and 1:40 pm
November 28:  Jordan Pines Campground (Big Cottonwood Canyon) - 1:00, 1:20, and 1:40 pm

Colorado Fall Dates:
If a date is full and you would like a mid-morning or mid-afternoon session with potentially higher/brighter sunlight, please reach out and I may be able to accommodate!  There are plenty of locations with great shade that would still work well.  Morning sessions to not need to start that early if you are ok with a little more full sun.

October 3:  Mount Falcon Park - 4:30 pm
October 3:  Meyer Ranch Park - 5:30 pm
October 4:  Standley Lake - 6:50 am
October 4:  Kenosha Pass - 4:00 and 4:45 pm
October 5:  Doudy Draw Trailhead - 7:30 am
October 5:  Standley Lake - 5:00 and 5:45 pm
October 6:  Meyer Ranch Park - 6:50 am




Summer 2022 Mini Sessions in Utah and Colorado

27 April 2022

Hello friends!!  It's that time again... I'm getting ready to book my SUMMER dates!  I'm so excited to get back up into our beautiful mountains!!  These will be my dates for both Utah and Colorado.  Family mini sessions are $350 plus sales tax, and that comes with 20 high resolution polished edited digital images of your choice.  You will also be able to download your entire proofing gallery in high resolution (100+ images).  All travel and location fees included, unless otherwise specified.

Grab your session date today by sending me a message!  Feel free to reach out by email or text at melaniericephotography@gmail.com or 801-865-7089 with any questions.  Thank you for your interest!

2022 Utah Summer Family Mini Sessions

**dates will be crossed out when booked -- current as of 7/16/22**

June 6:  Alpine Loop in American Fork canyon - 6:45 and 7:30 pm
June 8:  Snowbasin mountains in Ogden canyon (wildflowers) - 6:30 and 7:00 pm
June 15:  Big Springs Park in Provo Canyon - 7:00 and 7:30 pm
June 20:  Snowbasin mountains in Ogden canyon (wildflowers) - 6:30 and 7:00 pm
June 21:  Big Springs Park in Provo Canyon - 7:00 and 7:30 pm
June 23:  Theater in the Pines campground - 6:00 pm
June 23:  Utah Lake - 8:00 pm
June 28:  McPolin Barn in Park City - 6:30 and 7:00 pm
July 6:  Lavender farm in Mona - 8:00 and 8:30 pm
July 10:  Tibble Fork Reservoir in American Fork Canyon - 6:30 pm
July 10: Utah Lake - 8:30 pm
July 11:  Lavender farm in Mona - 8:00 and 8:30 pm
July 13:  Albion Basin wildflowers - 7:00 and 7:30 pm 
July 15:  Albion Basin wildflowers - 7:00 and 7:30 pm 
July 18:  Albion Basin wildflowers - 7:00 and 7:30 pm
July 20:  Albion Basin wildflowers - 7:00 and 7:30 pm
July 22:  Albion Basin wildflowers - 7:00 and 7:30 pm
July 25:  Albion Basin wildflowers - 7:00 and 7:30 pm
July 27:  Tibble Fork Reservoir in American Fork Canyon - 5:45 pm
July 27:  Utah Lake - 7:45 pm
August 2:  Big Springs park in Provo Canyon - 6:15 and 6:45 pm
August 8:  Theater in the Pines campground - 5:45 pm
August 8:  Utah Lake - 7:30 pm
August 10:  Jordan Pines in Big Cottonwood canyon - 5:45 and 6:15 pm
August 15:  Bonneville Salt Flats (add $75 for travel) - 6:30 and 7:00 pm
August 17:  Tibble Fork Reservoir in American Fork Canyon - 5:30 pm
August 17: Utah Lake - 7:30 pm
August 23:  McPolin Barn in Park City - 6:00 and 6:30 pm
August 25:  Jordan Pines in Big Cottonwood Canyon - 5:30 and 6:00 pm

2022 Colorado Mini Sessions
** Post edited... the Colorado sessions have been moved to October 3-6. Details to come!