FAQ: WHY AREN’T THERE MORE
Outdoor Mini Sessions?
People are often surprised at how quickly my summer mini sessions sell out and assume I must be swamped with work. But the truth is, I am only able to offer a small number of time slots at each location.
Outdoor Mini Sessions: I typically cap each event at just four dancers.
Lighting: I aim to shoot in the best natural light, which means early mornings or early evenings. With HRM’s population boom, many popular locations are only workable in the early morning (7–9 AM) to avoid crowds.
Summer Heat: Outdoor heat and humidity can be intense, and most locations don’t have shade or washrooms (staying hydrated becomes tricky). After some close calls with heat stroke, I decided to limit how many dancers I take on for outdoor events.
Scheduling: Summer only offers about nine viable weekends (which families prefer), and a few of those are reserved for travel or larger group sessions with organisations. Each event needs a date and rain date, meaning a full weekend needs to be held on the calendar for just a few dancers.
Cancellations: Outdoor minis are entirely weather-dependent, and when a session gets rained out, it’s more than just a scheduling hassle — it’s a real financial hit. Since most of my work happens between June and August, I’m working with a very short window to earn a modest seasonal income. It’s a challenge to make those few months stretch far enough to sustain my business the rest of the year. Shifting toward larger indoor session days helps keep things more predictable, with fewer cancellations and a steadier rhythm to my season.
Indoor Sessions: These are quickly becoming the heart of my work. With no weather worries, full control over lighting and creativity, and a safer environment for dancers, indoor sessions are ideal. I am able to photograph more dancers overall, and the photos are incredibly versatile — perfect for portfolios, auditions, applications, promotion, social media, and more. It’s also where dance photography is trending!

