Mini Photography Sessions Versus Regular Sessions. Which One’s Right for You?

I’m a big believer in booking a regular length photography session rather than a mini session but there are some great pros to mini sessions.

Time

This is the most obvious difference. Mini sessions are very short sessions which are booked back-to-back. Usually they are around 15 minutes which is significantly less than a regular length session. This can be great for busy families that have packed schedules, if you want to test out the photographer before committing to a regular session, you want photos for your holiday card, or your family isn’t enthusiastic about taking photos.

On the flip side….if you’re worried that your kids won’t cooperate, I suggest booking a regular length session. More time allows your photographer to capture great photos even if they’re running away. It also lets you move around the location more which helps kids focus on the environment rather than the photo taking and even allows time to recover from tears and melt downs.

Location

Mini session locations and time slots are chosen by the photographer and the background is typically the same for all the photos. Regular sessions are tailored to you so you choose your ideal location. Hate sand? No problem! You can pick a park or city location. Plus, with time and movement you will get a variety of backgrounds in your gallery to increase the odds that you’ll end up having some you want to frame!

Style of Photos

Are you more interested in standard portraits where everyone is looking at the camera and smiling? If so, then mini sessions are a good bet. Due to time restrictions, most of the photos you will get will be standard groupings and typical portraits. With more time in a regular session, you will get more candid and creative shots in addition to standard portraits. There is time for your photographer to think about creativity and a variety light to play with. It’s amazing how much the light can change within a hour. You can have clouds change to sun, the gold light of sunset to transform to the blue light of twilight.

Customization

Minis sessions are straightforward which can be great for people that want to schedule a basic package but regular sessions allow for your own customization. You can choose your location, time, and date based on your family’s needs. There’s more flexibility for changing locations at the last minute if fog has rolled in or it’s raining. Plus, you really get to connect with your photographer and they can have the time to capture your family story in a unique and creative way.