When should I book a glitter mini session?

By Kris Ann Valdez

Add a little sparkle to your portfolio with a glitter mini session. Get the most shimmer and shine from the experience with these tips and tricks from our photographers.

Photographers often use these mini sessions to drum up business in the slow months when outdoor shooting isn’t possible. But since the main point of these sessions is to toss, play, and frolic in glitter—they can be done any time of year. For example, Melissa Jenkins of June Bug Photography plans to use a dark green backdrop for her fall glitter mini sessions to give them a wintry feel.

Images by: Chelsie Maurer Photography

What should I charge?

The photographers we spoke with approached their sessions differently. One photographer says she charges a base fee of $89 for a twenty-minute session and allows her clients to select one final image. Most of her proofing galleries have 15-25 images and most clients purchase at least seven additional images at $55 each.

Another photographer said she charges $150 for the session fee. Then clients create their own “digital collection” from a proofing gallery. The full collection is $990, 15 images for $690, or 5 images for $390.

What backdrops and props work best?

To make the glitter stand out, choose a seamless paper backdrop. Detroit-based photographer Chelsie Maurer of Chelsie Maurer Photography recommends an 86” seamless paper in the color pecan, which can be purchased on Amazon (linked below). Other color choices include white, chestnut, olive, or beige.

For props, keep things minimal so it doesn’t detract from the glitter. Confetti/glitter-filled balloons or glitter star wands are nice touches, but not necessary. Some parents might bring in a large, numbered balloon to celebrate a child’s upcoming birthday too.

Image by: JUNE BUG PHOTOGRAPHY (MELISSA JENKINS)

What kind of glitter do you prefer?

When it comes to glitter selection, our photographers offer expert advice.

Choose a chunkier glitter large enough to clean up and safe enough not to get into little eyes.
Consider purchasing overlays on Etsy. Chelsie says they “add so much to the final image without people knowing it’s even an overlay.
Another idea is working with mylar confetti (linked below). Melissa likes it because it’s larger, catches the light, swirls in the air and takes longer to fall to the ground. Plus, she doesn’t have to worry about it getting into eyes. All bonuses!
Mylar flakes are another great option (linked below).
Change the glitter color up! Sara Hunt of Sara Hunt Photography says she opts for different colors than the traditional gold glitter because it keeps things fun, unique, and fresh. Many parents are excited to have their children photographed in her newest glitter colors, making for repeat customers.

What are the best posing prompts for this mini session?

Be prepared to get messy! Chelsea says her little clients love when she says, “Throw the glitter up so high it gets stuck on the ceiling!” This way, their arms are thrown up high, they’re looking up, and their smiles are wide!

Other prompts include:

Twirl in a circle and throw the glitter
Make glitter snow angels
Blow the glitter towards me
Act silly and make a BIG MESS!
Add parents into the mix and have them sprinkle glitter over their child

Images by: Chelsie Maurer Photography

Outfit ideas for subjects?

If you’re going with gold glitter, shades of ivory, gold, or white complement the color scheme. Anything with tulle is highly recommended too, especially for twirling photos.

Sara owns a large collection of boutique style dresses in various colors/sizes. Shorter dresses are easier to pose children in, she says, especially for floor poses. If her clients want to select their own outfits, Sara recommends them to various vendors to rent/purchase. She also keeps a collection of crowns and headpieces to wear, but shoes are not needed—those barefoot poses are too sweet and classic to miss!

What’s the biggest challenge of this shoot?

Clean up! Glitter gets EVERYWHERE! It sticks to the feet and hands, making it difficult to remove.

Sara says she only offers this shoot for children four-years-old and up. Younger children tend to dislike walking or standing in the glitter due to the texture and are more difficult to direct—they want to throw the glitter everywhere and often get it in their eyes/mouth. For younger children, she uses glitter overlays instead and very little actual glitter.

Image by: June Bug Photography

How do I get the best shot?

Chelsie offers great technical advice. With her Godox AD 400, double diffused, she sets her camera settings to ISO 100, F 2.5, 1/500, and gets body and close-up portraits for a good variety.

Melissa also offers helpful technical advice. She lits her images from the side and has her subjects stand at the very back edge of her PLM (parabolic light modifier). This way, the light catches the glitter as it falls, and makes it stand out from the unlit backdrop. Feather light hits the backdrop, but the glitter’s tossed in front of her subject, so it’s in direct light, and her subject’s in soft feathered light.

She also recommends overshooting, holding the shutter down to capture all the fun expressions and glitter falling! Don’t forget to try some overhead shots too.