2026 Fall Mini Sessions in Southern California: Dates, Locations + What’s Still Open

Fall mini sessions with Lauren Dixon Photography run from September 19 through November 1, 2026, at ten locations across Orange County, Ventura County, Los Angeles County, San Diego County and Santa Barbara. Each session is $425 and includes 20 fully edited images.

Locations that I will be covering this year:

San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, Pasadena, Malibu and Santa Barbara

Every year around this time I look at my calendar and realize how fast it went. School started out of nowhere, they’re growing out of their shoes and clothes yet again and were now feeling the slight chill in the air that signals fall is right around the corner.

Fall mini sessions exist for exactly that feeling. Twenty minutes, in a place that already looks beautiful in September/October/November light, to catch your family the way they are right now in the most organic way before everyone changes again.

As a Southern California family photographer based in Ventura County, I take fall minis out to ten locations across five counties each fall, from the Orange County coast down to Carlsbad and Escondido and up through Ventura, Agoura Hills, Pasadena and Montecito. Most families can find a date close to home, and some families even drive to the location they love.

Where are the 2026 fall mini sessions?

Here is the full list:

Orange County
September 19, Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park, 30952 Oso Pkwy, Trabuco Canyon
September 20, Goff Island Beach, 30801 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach

Ventura County
October 4, Marina Park Beach, 2950 Pierpont Blvd, Ventura
October 9, Cheeseboro Canyon, 5792 Chesebro Rd, Agoura Hills

San Diego County
October 16, Batiquitos Lagoon, 7349 Gabbiano Ln, Carlsbad
October 17 and 18, St Malo Beach, 2458 Ocean St, Carlsbad
October 17 and 18, Lake Hodges, 20102 Lake Drive, Escondido

Los Angeles County
November 1, La Casita del Arroyo, 177 S Arroyo Blvd, Pasadena

Already fully booked
October 3, Leo Carrillo State Beach, Malibu
October 11, Butterfly Beach, Montecito

If you were hoping for Butterfly Beach or Leo Carrillo, I am sorry, and I understand. Those two go first every year. Get on my email list and you will hear about 2027 dates before anyone else does or any last minute openings I may have.

Which dates are still open?

Eight of the ten fall dates still have openings as of today, plus the December 5 Santa sessions. The San Diego weekend on October 17 and 18 has two locations running, so that weekend has the most room. September 19 and 20 in Orange County are the soonest, which means they are also the last chance to have images back well before holiday cards go out.

The most popular time slots tend to go first on every date, that golden sunset hour or earlier in the day when kiddos are fresh from a good night of sleep.

How much is a fall mini session?

$425 for a 20 minute session with 20 fully edited images, full print release, and your online gallery.

All wrapped into one price- no sitting fee on top, no per-image pricing, no package to decode.

What can you actually do in 20 minutes?

More than you would think, I’ve done this many many times before and I absolutely love working with the kiddos and getting them to smile, have fun and help create these adorable memories.

We start with a few of the traditional ones so you have your holiday card shot or some beautiful gifts for the grandparents. Then we will focus on candid shots. Walking, snuggling, chasing, whatever your kids are actually going to do. Some of my favorite frames from last fall happened in the last three minutes when everyone had forgotten I was there or became super comfortable and just had fun.

A mini is short, but it does not have to feel rushed. That is my job and I feel confident you will be so happy with that amount of time for photos.

Will this work if my kids will not sit still?

Yes. This is genuinely my favorite kind of session.

Your children do not need to sit perfectly still or smile at the camera the whole time. I would honestly rather they did not. I will guide you so you are not standing there wondering what to do with your hands, and then I will give your family room to just be a family.

And bring the bribe. Ice cream after, candy in the car, whatever works. I bring treats too!

What should we wear?

Soft, earthy and neutral works beautifully against fall light in Southern California. Cream, oatmeal, beige, sage, warm brown, muted green, rust, soft denim, terracotta. Textures like knits, linen, denim and corduroy add a lot.

Nobody needs to match. Cohesive is the goal, not matching. And because we are in Southern California, please do not put your family in heavy sweaters if it is 84 degrees out. Layers you can add and remove are your friend.

I wrote a full outfit guide with real combinations here: What to Wear for Family Photos

When do I need to book for holiday cards?

Sooner than most people think, and this is the part that catches families out every year.

Your gallery arrives within two weeks. After that you still need to design the card, order it, and wait for it to ship. If you are sending cards this year, an October date gives you comfortable room. Essentially, the sooner the better but I have organized my sessions on dates that I will be able to deliver photos in time regardless.

What about the Santa session?

There is one, December 5 at Cheeseboro Canyon in Agoura Hills, and I am so excited for them. Same 20 minute format, with Santa. It books separately and it is on the same scheduler.

Questions I get every year

Can grandparents or extended family join?

For a 20 minute mini, I would keep it to your immediate family so we are not spending the whole session organizing people. If you want everyone, a full family session is the better fit and I would love to talk about it.

What if it rains?

Southern California in October usually cooperates. If it genuinely does not, I will move you to another date on the schedule at no cost. Weather is not something you should be paying for.

Can we bring the dog?

Ask me when you book and I will tell you honestly whether that location allows it. Some of these are parks with rules I do not get to change hehe.

Do you do these anywhere else?

These ten are the fall lineup. If you are outside all five counties and you want photos this fall, reach out anyway and let’s talk about a full session or some workaround if possible.

Can I book more than one?

People do, usually a fall mini plus the Santa session. You can also book two for more time if you would really like that or additional coverage at a different part of the area we are photographing at.

Ready to book your fall mini session?

Eight fall dates still have openings and two are already gone, so if you know you want updated family photos this year, this is your sign!

Have a look at the dates and grab the one closest to you. I would love to photograph your family this fall and hold onto this little season of your lives, exactly as it is right now.

Let’s connect below!

See the dates and book your session

Book here!

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