You're not alone! It's a common question we get asked when prospective clients are looking to have their family photos taken, so let's get into it!
What's a Mini-Session?
A mini-session is a relatively short portrait session, between 20 minutes and 30 minutes. They're best for families who:
- lean towards traditional portrait-style photos (i.e. posed groupings, smiling directly at the camera, etc.)
- take family photos often and are just looking to refresh their photos
- have children that are photo-friendly and not camera shy
- like the short sessions - get in and get out!
- are on a tighter budget
Mini-sessions are usually offered on a seasonal basis (Spring, Summer, Fall) and sometimes are theme-based (i.e. Mom & Me, Beach Mini-sessions, Fall Mini-sessions, etc). The biggest reason mini-sessions are friendlier on the pocketbook is because they are offered on pre-determined dates, times, and locations, and are often grouped back-to-back with other clients. There are days where we'll be shooting 8 mini-sessions in one day!
What's a Full-Session?
A full-session is a longer portrait session (1 hour+). They're best for families who:
- want both posed, traditional photos and candid moments
- like getting to choose the location of their session
- need more time, especially with younger children who aren't as camera-ready
One advantage of a full-session is that clients are able to do multi-generational sessions - grandparents, grandkids, siblings and their families, etc. They also give families the option to have a more "lifestyle" type session; the additional time lends to a more relaxed time and thus produces more natural photos, especially in a familiar environment like their home.
So what's the best one for me?
It really comes down to what your needs are and budget! If after reading this blog post and you're still not sure, feel free to contact us for a consult and we can help!