Mini Photo Session vs Full Photo Session

/ Marie Bohn Photography/

Mini Sessions have been on the rise for years now, but I still get clients that are unfamiliar with the difference between a full session and an mini session so I decided to put together a little post discussing just that.

Mini Sessions

Let’s start with a mini session: I think the name says it all, or at least basic concept of it. However, there’s more to a mini session than just a shorter session. Here are a few bullet points.

  • Significantly shorter than a full session: You will see a variety of mini session lengths depending on the session and photographer. You might see them anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 minutes. It’s important you ask the photographer you’ve booked with how long the session is expected to last.

  • Themed: Mini sessions typically have a theme: Easter, Mommy & Me, Spring, Christmas, etc., so you will have to be accepting of the setup the photographer has created for their mini session; there’s no special requests for certain backdrop or props, this is where the photographer gets to have creative freedom. Below I have added a few images from minis that I’ve hosted. I’m not huge fan of props, so my theme is typically found in the location (accept in the studio), but you’ll see that we did Tree Farm, Christmas, and Halloween Costume Mini Sessions.

  • Location, date, and times chosen by photographer: These sessions are held on a date at a specific location that are both chosen by the photographer. Additionally, you have to share your session date with multiple other families, and when I say “share” I don’t mean that you will be taking turns getting your photos done with other families but you will be expected to perform for the allotted time until a new family shows up for their time-slot.

  • Lower Price Point + less images: These sessions are typically at a lower price point due all of the things I discussed above, but, also, because I am giving you fewer images than I would with a full image. With a limited time frame, it’s hard to offer a larger amount of images simply because you don’t have the time to create a larger gallery.

Mini sessions are really great for updating portraits of your children + family, and you can save money doing a mini session vs a full custom photo session, but there’s also some pros to booking a full, private family session. Read on to learn more about a full session with your Batavia, N.Y. Photographer.

Full Session

Now let’s talk about a full session. These sessions are much more customizable to the needs of you and your family, so read below and decide what style is best for you.

  • Choose a date that works for you: When you book a full session you can pick a date/time that works best for your family’s busy schedule. I know that during the summer our family schedule is far more limited than the winter months, so being able to pick a date that is free on our calendar vs. waiting for a mini session would be much more convenient for us.

  • Pick your own location style: I’ve had requests to photograph families on their own property, friend’s property, specific parks, and just a certain location look, so it’s nice to have that flexibility when styling your custom session. Plus, you get a unique look that other families might not have in their images.

  • Longer session: Full sessions (for me) are around 60-90 minutes long, and I schedule them as close to sunset as I can for optimal light. Giving this amount of time helps with children who may be a little shy or nervous, and it let’s me get a little more creative with poses and allowing extra time for play.

  • Pre-session prep: With all of my custom sessions I give my clients much more attention when it comes to planning. These are custom sessions and I have to ask a lot of questions so that I can create a unique experience for you and document your family as they are. This also helps me pick the right location based on your requests and bring props that go with the style you’re looking to achieve.

  • Wardrobe styling: Picking out clothing that all goes well together without matching can often feel like a daunting task. It’s hard enough picking out clothing that suits you the best, imagine having to do it for every member of your family AND have it all look good together AND photograph well; it’s hard! This is where I come in and offer a helping hand. Some photographers have wardrobes they allow their clients to wear, but I’m not quite there yet, so the best I can do is offer my expertise over text, email, or social media. It’s one of my favorite parts of the process, but it’s not one that I extend to my mini session clients. Not because I don’t want to, but because there’s just not enough time to do that for all the bookings for that specific mini session.

  • More images: Because we have more time to create more images, I can give my clients more images with their full session.

  • You get the photographers undivided attention; no interruptions from waiting families: That’s it! I have nothing more for this bullet point.