So you’re thinking about booking a family session, but you’re not sure how much time in front of the camera you actually want or need? Great! I recommend starting with a mini session. They’re fun, easy, and an affordable way to get a feel for being in front of the camera with your crew.
But what exactly is a mini session? And how do you know if it’s the right fit for your family?
Let’s break it down:
What Is a Mini Session?
Mini sessions are exactly what they sound like: a shorter version of a photography session.
These short sessions may be held inside or out, depending on the season. Some photographers will create a themed backdrop or creative setting (especially for the holidays). Personally, I typically let mother nature be the backdrop, but might have a few special props for the kids to play with, hold, or to add a little je ne sais quoi to your photos.
While a full session can be up to 2 hours, most mini sessions last about 15–30 minutes and are offered on a specific date at a location chosen by your photographer. Because they are booked as back-to-back sessions in one place, timelines have to be pretty strict to accommodate session slots. So, plan for an early arrival so you can jump right in when your time is up.
Some of the biggest benefits of a mini session are the low cost and quick turnaround time. While traditional sessions can range from $500-$1,000 with a gallery of 100+ images in a 4-6 week timeframe, mini sessions are in the $150-$250 ballpark and result in a small gallery of 10-20 images delivered in a week or two.
I typically offer mini sessions twice a year – in June and in October.
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Who Are Mini Sessions For?
Mini sessions can be a great fit for:
- Families working within a specific budget
- Parents with young children who may not have the attention span for a longer session
- Couples wanting a few nice photos together
- Dog owners wanting photos with their furry family members
- Celebrating milestones
- Returning clients who already have a full session gallery they love
- Couples or families looking for seasonal photos
Minis are perfect for updating your family photos, celebrating a season of life, or simply spending time together while creating beautiful memories. If you’re mostly looking for a few updated family photos and don’t need a fully customized experience, a mini session may be exactly what you’re looking for.
Why You Might Want a Full Session Instead
Mini sessions are wonderful, but they aren’t the right fit for everyone. And to be honest, they don’t always get you what you’re truly looking for.
A full session may be a better choice if:
- You want photos at home or a specific location
- Your child needs extra time to warm up
- You’re planning photos for a larger family gathering
- You want a slower, more personalized experience
- You want a larger gallery with more variety
With a mini session, we’re usually working within a very specific time window, so there is naturally less flexibility. Full sessions allow more time to explore, play, and settle into the experience. They’re often ideal for newborn sessions, extended-family gatherings, or families who want a gallery that tells a deeper, more meaningful story.
Interested in hearing more about what a full session looks like? Reach out!
How to Prepare for a Mini Session
Keep it simple! Choose outfits ahead of time, arrive a few minutes early, and if you’re bringing the family, try not to stress too much about whether your kids will cooperate. Sometimes the most beautiful images are hidden within the chaos. Let them lead the session and you won’t feel like you’re fighting to “get the shot.”
Depending on the location and how far it is from home, you may want to turn the outing into a bigger adventure. Pair it with a local hike or walk, dinner with the family, or treating your sweetie to a maple creemee!
Mini sessions move quickly. I recommend getting in the mindset of connection over perfection. Hold hands, walk arm in arm, play games and explore the location as you would without a photographer around. Do this, and your photos will reflect all the reasons you booked the session in the first place.
What to Expect During Your Mini Session
Even though mini sessions are short, we’ll still capture a variety of images.
I’ll guide you through the session and help with posing, prompts, and getting everyone settled. The goal is to make the experience feel easy and relaxed while making the most of our time together.
As I mentioned above, it’s all about connection over perfection. Of course we’ll get a few photos of everyone smiling and looking at the camera. But the more you can forget about the camera and simply interact with each other, the better.
We’ll walk, we’ll run, we’ll dance. We’ll snuggle up and play games. Movement is key as it helps you relax and creates a more dynamic image. So come ready to have some fun (and wear comfortable shoes).
How Often Should You Book Mini Sessions?
Many families book a mini session every year or every other year. Some families alternate between mini sessions and full sessions. Maybe you book a full session every few years and use mini sessions in between to document how much your kids have changed.
There isn’t a right answer. It’s really about finding a rhythm that works for your family and your budget.
So, Are Mini Sessions Worth It?
Honestly, mini sessions are SUCH a steal! If you know you want professional family photos more regularly, but a full session doesn’t make sense every year, a mini session is where it’s at.
Mini sessions and full sessions simply serve different purposes. If you’re looking for a quick, affordable way to update your family photos, a mini session can be a wonderful option. If you want a more personalized experience with extra time and flexibility, here’s your nudge to consider a full session.
At the end of the day, the best session is the one that actually gets booked. Your kids are growing whether you’re documenting it or not, and a mini session can be a simple way to make sure you have a few photos to remember this season.
Why You Might Want a Full Session Instead
Mini sessions are wonderful, but they aren’t the right fit for everyone. And to be honest, they don’t always get you what you’re truly looking for.
A full session may be a better choice if:
- You want photos at home or a specific location
- Your child needs extra time to warm up
- You’re planning photos for a larger family gathering
- You want a slower, more personalized experience
- You want a larger gallery with more variety
With a mini session, we’re working against the clock, so there is naturally less flexibility. Full sessions allow more time to explore, play, and settle into the experience. They’re often ideal for newborn sessions, extended family gatherings, or families who want a gallery that tells a deeper, meaningful story.
Interested in hearing more about what a full session looks like? Reach out!
How to Prepare for a Mini Session
Keep it simple! Choose outfits ahead of time, arrive a few minutes early, and try not to stress too much about whether your kids will cooperate.
Mini sessions move quickly, which is actually one reason they work so well for younger children. Before they have a chance to get bored, we’re usually done.
What to Expect During Your Mini Session
Even though mini sessions are short, we’ll still capture a variety of images.
I’ll guide you through the session and help with posing, prompts, and getting everyone settled. The goal is to make the experience feel easy and relaxed while making the most of our time together.
How Often Should You Book Mini Sessions?
Many families book a mini session every year or every other year. Some families alternate between mini sessions and full sessions. Maybe they book a full session every few years and use mini sessions in between to document how much their kids have changed.
There isn’t a right answer. It’s really about finding a rhythm that works for your family and your budget.
So, Are Mini Sessions Worth It?
Honestly, mini sessions are SUCH a steal! If you know you want professional family photos more regularly, but a full session doesn’t make sense every year, a mini session is where it’s at.
Mini sessions and full sessions simply serve different purposes. If you’re looking for a quick, affordable way to update your family photos, a mini session can be a wonderful option. If you want a more personalized experience with extra time and flexibility, here’s your nudge to consider a full session.
At the end of the day, the best session is the one that actually gets booked. Your kids are growing whether you’re documenting it or not, and a mini session can be a simple way to make sure you have a few photos to remember this season by.
