A Little Sanctuary Magic: Paige & Nova at Mint Room Studios

The Sanctuary room at Mint Room Studios is just as peaceful as it sounds - soft, dreamy light pouring in, tall neutral walls, and plenty of space for stories to unfold. And that’s exactly what happened when I photographed Paige and her daughter Nova (age 6) in this space.

As soon as we arrived, Nova pulled out her notebook and started sketching the studio. No prompting, no rushing. Just a quiet moment of observation. Instead of asking her to wrap it up quickly, we let her take her time. That simple pause set the tone for the whole session - letting things happen naturally.

Once she was ready, we eased into a “dance party” prompt - something Nova absolutely loves. But before any twirling began, she climbed into her mom’s arms and just nestled in quietly. No direction, just a soft, unspoken moment between them. I captured it exactly as it was.

And then the big dance moves started! There was spinning, laughter, and the kind of unfiltered joy that only comes from dancing like nobody's watching. We had Benson Boone playing - Nova’s newest music obsession.

Next, we played a little game: Paige bear-hugged Nova from behind while Nova tried her best to wiggle free. The giggles were unstoppable and completely contagious.

We took a couple of “smiling at the camera” photos - just twice, actually. When working with kids, especially littles like Nova, I like to keep things flexible and fun. Short attention spans are normal, and the real magic often happens in the in-between moments.

The rest of the session was all about capturing those candid, unscripted pockets of connection between mother and daughter. No forced smiles. Just the two of them, being themselves, in a beautiful space.

This session was such a reminder that sometimes the best photos come from simply letting life unfold.

Want to book your own family session? I’d love to candidly capture your family.