Mini sessions aren’t just quick, low-cost shoots—they can be a powerful way to build consistent income and keep your photography business thriving year after year. When structured intentionally, mini session photography connects you with new clients, creates predictable revenue streams, and keeps you top-of-mind for families who may book you again and again.

In this post we share our Winner and Featured Artists for the August MOVEMENT Photo Challenge at The Framed Focus!

52 Clicks | Week 34 | Symmetry

We rounded out our final week in our advanced composition month in our Project 52 with the theme symmetry. I love how the use of symmetry in photography immediately creates a strong composition, the sense of balance resulting in aesthetically pleasing images. The p52 participants ran away with this assignment and created some truly beautiful photographs. I'm particularly impressed with their ability to find symmetry in unique places and objects, creating such interesting and creative images.

xo,

Angie Mahlke

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Although best known for her documentary photography, Emma Challinor has found a passion for creating double and multiple exposure portraits. What began as a creative experiment in a weekly photo challenge soon grew into a unique way of blending storytelling, symbolism, and artistry. In this blog, Emma shares how she builds meaningful concepts, captures base portraits, layers images, and edits with intention—offering practical tips for photographers who want to explore the magic of multiple exposure portraits.

52 Clicks | Week 33 | Patterns & Repetition

The next advanced composition technique we focused on in our Project 52 was patterns and repetitions. Using patterns and repeating items (objects, colors, shapes, etc) is a great tool that can be used dramatically or subtly to create an interesting composition.

As I was scrolling through the images for the week, I was struck with how many past theme elements the p52 participants are incorporating in their work - from light and textures to other compositional techniques. Everyone is growing and flourishing and developing their own personal voice and style. It's a fun thing to witness

xo,

Angie Mahlke

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Photographer Christine McRoberts blends humor, creativity, and retro charm in her monthly “Portrait Retro Brand” project. From Oreos to roller skates, she uses nostalgic props, playful styling, and vibrant edits to capture the joy of simpler times. In this guide, she shares tips on choosing settings, styling shoots, getting in the frame, and editing for a vintage feel—showing how to fuse modern photography tools with timeless inspiration.

52 Weeks | Week 32 | Diagonals

As we continued on with advanced composition in our Project 52, we focused on using diagonal lines in our images. Diagonals can be used for a variety of reasons: to guide the eye, to create tension, to tell a story in a more engaging way, to create depth, etc. The p52 participants clearly got the assignment and they once again proved to be an inspiring group of artists.

xo,

Angie Mahlke

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Want to improve your photos without buying new gear? Learn how to harness natural light—indoors and outdoors—with these practical tips that work for any skill level.

Colour is one of the most powerful tools in photography. Colour can evoke emotions, tell stories, and transform an ordinary scene into something extraordinary. In our Chase the Rainbow project we explore the beauty of a different colour each month. Whether that’s finding the colour in nature, around the house or setting up a scene with colourful props and clothing.

“Let the soft blush of pink color remind us to be gentle with ourselves and others.” - Unknown

This month our colour was soft pink. Soft pink is a light, pastel shade of pink that symbolises innocence, tenderness and sweetness.

Enjoy looking through all the different images we have created with soft pink. 

52 Clicks | Week 31 | Rule of Space

For the month of August, our Project 52 will be focusing our attention on advanced composition techniques. The first one was rule of space, which seemed to be a new term to most of us as we struggled to differentiate between that and negative space. In case this is new to you as well, the rule of space is where you leave visual space in the direction the subject is moving/looking/facing or, even, the direction they just left, depending on your intentions. The visual space does not need to be empty, though, where negative space is more about emphasizing something by isolating it with unfilled space.

As always, the p52 participants embraced this theme and impressed me with what they came up with. Here's your weekly dose of inspiration.

xo,

Angie Mahlke

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Skip the awkward school photo this year. Capture real smiles and real moments with this DIY School Photo + First Day of School Video Guide—just $19.

52 Clicks | Week 30 | Artificial Light

The last thing we tackled in our Fun with Light theme was artificial light. The Project 52 participants went all out in their creativity, the variety of light sources they used and the stories they told through their imagery. Using artificial light can be technically tricky and challenging, but it can also give you creative licenses to break rules and think outside of the box. I think you'll be inspired by this collection of images.

xo,

Angie Mahlke

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In this post we share our Winner and Featured Artists for the July FACELESS Photo Challenge at The Framed Focus!

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by massive posing guides and endless shot lists? This post will show you why fewer, well-chosen photography prompts can transform your sessions. Learn how to create variety with a handful of intentional prompts and how Pocket Prompts and the Session Workflow Guide can help you capture authentic, connected images without the stress.

52 Clicks | Week 29 | Shadow Play

Last week in our Project 52 we focused on having fun with shadows. I love how shadows can take on many roles within an image. They can be the focal point, the main subject. Or they can take on a more supporting role, adding depth and mystery. The p52 participants understood the assignment, and it was so inspiring seeing all their images.

xo,

Angie Mahlke

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GoPros aren’t just for thrill-seekers and action videos. In this blog, I’m sharing how I use my GoPro for fun, everyday photography—from underwater vacation shots to candid family moments. With tips on gear, settings, and creative shooting angles, this is your guide to getting more out of the tiny camera that does it all.

52 Clicks | Week 28 | Reflections

Last week in our Project 52 was all about reflections. Reflections can be such a fun way to tell a story, introduce layers and framing, and just experiment with creativity. The p52 participants used a variety of reflective surfaces in their images and it was interesting to see what everyone came up with.

xo,

Angie Mahlke

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Want sharper, cleaner images in Photoshop without overdoing it? The High Pass filter is a quick and easy way to boost detail and clarity. In this blog, I’ll walk you through how the High Pass filter works, when to use it, and exactly how to apply it for subtle, professional-looking sharpening.

Colour is one of the most powerful tools in photography. Colour can evoke emotions, tell stories, and transform an ordinary scene into something extraordinary. In our Chase the Rainbow project we explore the beauty of a different colour each month. Whether that’s finding the colour in nature, around the house or setting up a scene with colourful props and clothing.

"Yellow is the color which is closest to light. We associate the rays of the sun and the stars with it. It is the radiance of the spirit." - Ueli Seiler-Hugova

This month our colour was yellow. Yellow is such a bright and happy colour. It’s the colour of the sunshine, daffodils, sunflowers and bees. It makes us feel energised, positive and hopeful.

Enjoy looking through all the different images we have created with yellow! 

52 Clicks | Week 27 | Silhouette

Our Project 52 continued our fun with light month with silhouettes last week. A question came up regarding light sources for creating silhouettes with the thought that they can only be achieved with a pretty sunrise or sunset. That's completely false, of course, because all you need is light of any kind behind your subject. You can achieve silhouettes at any time of day with any light; you just have to expose for the light and your subject will naturally become underexposed to create the silhouette for you.

The p52 participants proved this point with their variety of light sources taken during all hours of the day. Scroll through their images and see for yourself!

xo,

Angie Mahlke

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