Santiago Oaks Regional Park is a location that’s worth it for family photos. Fall is my favorite season. Although we don’t get the pretty leaves in SoCal, it gets slightly cold enough so that I can bust out my cardigan, thin sweaters, and you know it… my boots (that would absolutely not survive anywhere else). The real reason I love fall is because it’s mini session and family session season.

You’re like: I’ve heard this a million times and seen it more online. WTF ARE MINI SESSIONS?

Simply put: mini sessions are bite-size photo sessions designed to deliver photos to you in a short amount of time. They’re good for updating your annual family photos, headshots, maternity, and pretty much anything you’re okay doing for 30 minutes in front of the camera.

For mini sessions, I predetermine the location, but I always pick a location based on follower response on my Instagram. Folks overwhelmingly picked a nature background so I delivered and it still ends up being a collaboration. Scroll to the end for the details of this Fall’s mini sessions (I’m so stinking excited).

Magdalena reached out to me with an amazing family session idea centered around the powerful womxn in her life. Celebrating a powerful matriarchy is definitely my idea of an afternoon well spent.

We worked together to select a location and decided on the beautiful Santiago Oak Canyon Regional Park (it’s also a nice hiking trail, btw) and it was an afternoon of laughter, fun, and a good workout too!

Social justice is my jam and this session gave me teary eyes, goosebumps, and love all at once.

Fall 2020 mini sessions here at Xiaopan Xue Photography are now open and I already have 8 wonderful clients booked. This year we’ll be taking photos at the beautiful Irvine Regional Park (in Orange). Here at Xiaopan Xue Photography, we welcome all people and all families, however you choose to define that.