Valentine’s Day Mini Sessions in Montevideo, Minnesota | Southwest Minnesota Family Photographer

Chantelle and her family came into the studio for my Valentine’s Day mini sessions in Montevideo, Minnesota, and we did what I love most — mixed fun seasonal photos with timeless studio portraits.

We started on the Valentine’s themed backdrop. Bright, festive, and simple enough to still keep the focus on the family. They brought the sweetest little red chair that’s been in the family — I believe it was Grandma’s — and we used it for some photos of their little guy. Those are the moments I love. When families bring something meaningful instead of just showing up. It adds history to a photo. That chair wasn’t just a prop. It meant something.

We kept the themed setup pretty clean — a balloon garland tied to my backdrop stand and a couple disco balls for the girls. Now, funny enough, the little guy didn’t really mess with the balloons while we were on that backdrop… but once we moved to the gray background, he kept crawling toward them like, “Wait, I changed my mind.” Toddlers run the show. Always.

Then we moved to the solid gray paper backdrop for the classic portraits. This is where I switch gears into timeless mode. Clean, heirloom-style family images that will still look good decades from now. I used my two-light setup here to create that soft halo glow behind them — just enough separation to pull them off the background without overpowering the image. I love that look. It’s simple, but it elevates everything.

And because the gray backdrop is clean and neutral, that’s where we added the playful extras — red Valentine wings, bow and arrow, colorful balloons, and yes… confetti. The gray allowed those pops of color to actually stand out instead of getting lost in a busy set.

Now let’s talk about shy kids for a second.

The girls were very shy. And I mean really shy. I don’t force big smiles. I don’t believe in fake. So I do what I always do — I get a little goofy, give them space, and let them warm up in their own time. Sometimes the sweetest expressions aren’t loud laughter. Sometimes they’re soft, subtle, and completely true to who they are.

By the end of their Valentine’s Day mini session in Western Minnesota, we had over 100 images. From a mini. That’s the benefit of working with a Montevideo, Minnesota photographer who knows how to pivot, adapt, and keep things moving — even when toddlers are crawling toward balloon garlands and shy girls are judging my dance moves.

If you’re looking for a Southwest Minnesota family photographer offering themed minis and timeless studio portraits, keep watching for the next round. I love giving families both options — something seasonal and something classic — in one short session.

Chantelle, thank you for trusting Novel Images with your crew. I hope that red chair photo becomes one of those “remember when” images someday.

—

Novel Images Photography

Serving Montevideo, Western Minnesota & Southwest Minnesota

A group sits together on a bench against a backdrop of pink and white balloons for a festive photo session.
A group sits together against a festive pink and red balloon backdrop for Valentine's Day photos.
Group photo against pink and red balloon backdrop with XOXO letters for Valentine's Day celebration.
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Family members seated together on hardwood floor with Valentine's Day themed balloon arch backdrop in pink and red.
Close-up shot of group sitting together against Valentine's Day balloon decorations.
Family portrait with pink and red Valentine's Day balloon decorations against white brick wall backdrop.
Two siblings holding baby against pink wall with XOXO balloon letters and heart decorations.
Valentine's day photo session with red and pink heart balloons and decorations against a white brick wall background.
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Small child in white shirt and jeans stands next to red rocking chair with Valentine's Day balloon decor.
Close-up view of feet and legs standing on wooden floor with pink and red Valentine's decorations in background.
Small child in white shirt and jeans sits in red chair with Valentine's Day decorations in background.
Baby in white shirt and jeans sits in red chair against Valentine's Day balloon backdrop.
Baby in white shirt and jeans standing against Valentine's backdrop with red heart balloons and white decorations.
Baby sitting in red chair with Valentine's Day balloon decorations and heart shapes in background.
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A toddler stands on hardwood floor against Valentine's Day decor with red XOXO balloons and heart decorations.
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Small child stands against Valentine's Day backdrop with red heart balloons and white decorations.
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Toddler stands on wooden floor with red heart balloons and decorations in background.
Smiling toddler sitting on wooden floor with festive Valentine's Day balloon display behind.
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Valentine's themed photoshoot with red balloon hearts and white brick wall backdrop.
Valentine's day photo setup with red heart balloons and white brick wall backdrop.
Young person posing against pink wall with XOXO balloon letters and Valentine's Day decorations.
Romantic Valentine's Day photo setup with heart-shaped foil balloons and pink decorative elements.
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Valentine's themed photoshoot setup with red heart balloons and romantic pink and white decorations.
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Valentine's day photo shoot setup with pink heart balloons and white brick wall background.
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Valentine's Day photo session with red heart balloons and white brick wall background.
Family wearing white shirts pose together with festive red heart decorations and balloons.
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Festive Valentine's backdrop with red heart balloons and white balloons against brick wall.
Two people in white t-shirts stand against a brick wall decorated with red XO balloons and heart decorations for Valentine's Day.
Festive pink and white balloon decorations create a romantic backdrop with XO letters against a brick wall.
Red and pink balloon decorations with heart shapes against white brick wall for Valentine's day.
Baby in white onesie playing on cozy cream bedding with natural light streaming through window.
Baby in white outfit sitting on cozy cream bedding with scattered red hearts.
Baby playing with vintage wooden toys on white knit blanket with heart decorations.
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Baby crawling on cream colored blanket with heart decorations in background.
Family portrait session against grey backdrop with matching white shirts and blue jeans.
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Family group photo session in black and white with matching white shirts and jeans.
Family portrait session against dark gray backdrop with coordinated white shirts and jeans.
Candid black and white portrait of family group in matching outfits.
Studio portrait of family members in matching white shirts and jeans against dark grey background.
Group photo session with people in white shirts and jeans against dark background.
Casual family photo with coordinated outfits showing playful poses in studio setting.
Black and white studio portrait of family members in matching casual outfits.
A family wearing matching white shirts and jeans poses together in a series of candid interaction shots.
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Casual family portrait session with everyone wearing coordinated white tops and jeans.
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Group of friends in matching white shirts and jeans share candid laughter against dark background.
Candid black and white family photo showing tender interaction between loved ones.
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Intimate black and white family portrait capturing natural moments of connection.
Family portrait session against dark grey backdrop in coordinated casual outfits.
Black and white portrait of family group posing together in casual attire.
Family group poses together in matching white shirts against dark studio background.
Black and white lifestyle family photography showing emotional connection and love.
Casual family portrait with everyone wearing white tops and jeans against grey studio background.
Studio photography session with vintage suitcase prop and grey backdrop.
Studio photography session with vintage suitcase prop against grey background.
A child sits on a vintage suitcase with wheels while someone helps adjust their hat against a gray backdrop.
Artistic black and white photo series showing dynamic poses against dark background.
Moody studio portrait with dramatic lighting and wooden prop box.
Studio portrait setup with dramatic lighting and dark background.
Small child wearing a yellow hat sits atop vintage brown leather suitcase in studio setting.
Black and white studio portraits with antique luggage props.
Toddler in yellow hat and denim sits on antique brown suitcase against gray backdrop.
A series of black and white photos showing tender family moments against a dark background.
Small child in white shirt sits on vintage brown suitcase with yellow hat.
Black and white portrait of small child sitting on antique luggage with hat.
Baby in white onesie sitting against dark background in professional studio portraits.
Close-up studio portrait of baby in white shirt against grey background looking down.
Close-up portrait of baby in white shirt against grey backdrop.
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Small child in white shirt covers ears with hands against grey background.
Black and white portrait of small child in white shirt covering ears with hands.
Baby sitting on wooden surface in studio with grey background.
Black and white studio portrait of baby in white onesie.
Valentine's themed photo with red heart balloon and vintage suitcase props.
Valentine's themed photo session with red XOXO balloon letters.
Two young people holding red LOVE balloon letters against grey background.
Red heart balloon decorations against dark studio background for Valentine's themed shoot.
Children posing with red heart decorations in coordinated white and denim outfits.
Valentine's themed photo with red heart props and coordinated casual outfits.
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Two young people in white t-shirts blowing pink glitter from their hands against gray background.
Young siblings in white shirts making silly faces and poses during a studio photoshoot.
Two people in white t-shirts and jeans blow pink glitter from their hands against a gray backdrop.
Pink and red confetti falls around people during festive photo shoot.
Pink and white confetti falls around two people in white shirts against a gray background.
Two young people in matching outfits laughing with pink glitter on their faces.
Valentine's themed portrait with heart sunglasses and pink confetti on dark floor.
Baby in white shirt and jeans sits among scattered pink and white heart confetti on grey background.
Pink and red heart confetti scattered on floor during intimate family photoshoot.
Mother and baby sit together on floor surrounded by pink and white heart confetti in studio setting.
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Baby in white button-down shirt and jeans sits among scattered pink confetti.
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Baby crawling and playing with scattered red rose petals on grey studio floor.
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Two young people in jeans and t-shirts pose with large red heart balloon with XO text.
Baby lounging on white bedding with natural window light and soft decor.