Mini Session vs. Full Session. What should you choose?
Why should you book a full session over a mini session or vice versa?
First of all, what is a mini session? Mini sessions are known to be “short and sweet” and perfect for families who regularly have their photos taken. Mini sessions are typically between 15-20 minutes. By the nature of mini sessions, typically, my schedule is booked with back to back sessions, therefore, unfortunately, I have to stick to a pretty tight schedule.
If everyone in your family is used to getting photos done, your kiddos do not take a lot of time to warm up to a new person, you only want a couple of poses at one location and everyone is comfortable with posing, then a mini session may be perfect for you!
Mini sessions tend to lean towards more posed portraits versus candid because we don’t have as much time to get a variety of both posed and candid, but I do try my best to fit in as much as I can during our time together!
Mini sessions are only offered at specific times of the year and the location is chosen by me.
Many clients opt to book several mini sessions throughout the year because they are quick and capture their ever changing family throughout the year! Mini sessions are used by clients to get that quick updated photo for a special occasions or holidays like a Christmas photo for their Christmas card!
On the flip side, my most popular sessions are my family sessions, clients love full sessions for many reasons. One reason being that you don’t have to stress about a time if your kiddos need extra time to warm up. Full sessions are at a minimum of 45 minutes and I will work with my clients until we have gotten the photos desired!
During full sessions, we have time to do a variety of poses both sitting, standing, posed and candid.
Do you have a location that you love? Great! I am happy to meet you there! Do you just want a pretty backdrop and don’t have a preference of location? That is great too, I will recommend locations with past client examples to you so you can choose the location that best fits what you are looking for!
Full sessions allow me time to choose a few different locations at the same site!
During a full session there is time to truly capture your family’s personality— you can bring anything to your session that may help your family be more comfortable in front of the camera! Do you want to have a tea party? picnic? dance party? end your session with popsicles? The possibilities are endless during full sessions!
Regardless of the session that you choose to best fit your families needs, always reach out to me if there is something in particular that you want to discuss! Do you have a spouse that can’t stand photos? That’s okay, I am used to it— I’ve got you! Do you have a kiddo that is neurodivergent and you want to discuss a few things that may help them during our session? Let’s chat about it so we can make your families experience awesome!
I will never recommend a session that is not a good fit for your family and I will always give honest feedback to you on which session in which I think your family will thrive!
