This guide will help you understand what type of session will suit you best: mini session vs. full session and what to expect.
Brianna Phelps Photography offers full sessions year round, and a limited number of mini sessions twice a year. Every year I get questions about the difference between the two.
The primary difference is the length of the shoot and the number of images you will receive. How do you know which one is right for your family? Keep reading to learn how to choose between a mini session and a full session for family photography. If you want a succinct version of the sessions I offer year around check out my session info page.
Differences between a mini session v. full session
1. Length of Session
The first most obvious difference the length of the shoot. My mini sessions are between 15-20 minutes in duration. This is usually plenty of time if you have recently had photos taken, and are just looking for a few updates. In comparison, full sessions are about 1 hour. These sessions, while they sound really long, allow more wiggle room for young children to have breaks, warm up and break the ice, and certainly more time to get creative with your images.
2. Variety of Images
Mini sessions have fewer options to choose from because there are less photos. Because we work in 15-20 minutes, my goal is to capture 3-4 family photos with one where everyone is looking at me smiling. I capture the siblings together, the parents together, mom with kids and dad with kids. Essentially I create a timestamp of your family in the current season.
In contrast, you will see a much greater variety in a full photo session, where the sky is the limit with creativity and collaboration based on the following things: location, mood, personalities, energy levels, age range, and surprises that pop up. This is why I personally love my memory maker family sessions so much because they are customized for your family and your family dynamics. No two sessions are the same and it is a true representation of your family life at that moment.
3. Location
Mini sessions are taken at the pre-determined location for that particular season chosen by me. With full sessions, families get to choose where the session will take place. Again, I love in-home memory maker sessions as that is where I believe kids are most relaxed and themselves. How important is the location for you? Would you like to have flexibility in being able to choose a special location for your family session?
4. Price
The last main difference between mini sessions and full sessions is the price. Since mini session are much shorter, they are less expensive. You will also expect to see a much smaller viewing gallery (20-30 images). As expected, full sessions are more expensive, due to the customized experience, and the number of photos taken. My typical full session and memory maker galleries have about 70-80 images.
5. Digital Archiving
Along with a digital viewing gallery, a full session comes with a thumbdrive and print release mailed to you after our session date. This ensures that you have an additional form of your images being backed up. It also is good for digitally archiving your images in a safe way and is convenient for printing.
Mini Session vs. Full session
Mini Session Pros & Cons
Mini Session Pros
- More affordable
- If someone in your family doesn’t love having photos taken a 15-20 minutes session might be more palatable than a 1 hour session.
- Perfect for a busy schedule since they are quick!
Mini Session Cons
- You don’t get to choose the location.
- Mini sessions aren’t for multigenerational sessions–there simply isn’t enough time!
- Time is limited, so if your child isn’t happy….I don’t have much time to turn things around.
- Your gallery is not as diverse as a full session.
- No thumbdrive mailed for safekeeping
Full Session Pros & Cons
Full Session Pros
- You have creative control of your session
- Your gallery is full of diverse images: structured family portraits, fun movement shots, in between candid shots, various family member combinations, close ups and far away images.
- More time is forgiving for children, because I have time to turn a bad attitude around.
- Most people even adults look more comfortable after warming up a bit in front of the camera.
- You will receive a thumbdrive mailed to you after your session for safekeeping.
Full Session Cons
- They cost more
- Some family members dread family shoots especially long ones.
When to Book a Mini Session
- If your family consists of adults and older children. Families that have adults and older children will take direction well and have an easier time taking photographs quickly. Older children are able to transition from one shot to the next.
- If you want a few updated pictures. If the last time you took family photos was from six months ago or less, you probably don’t need much variety. You will likely only need a few posed photographs to update the pictures in a selection of frames, and therefore won’t need much time to get the shot.
- If you are limited on time or availability. Mini sessions last no more than 20 minutes. If you need photographs that are simple and straightforward, then you shouldn’t need any more time. Minis are especially popular amongst adults whose children have moved out, and may live far apart. Mini sessions are an efficient way to get updated portraits while everyone is in town.
- If you have a smaller budget. Minis come at a lower price because they are predetermined time slots with limited options. Meaning you will have little to no input outside of what you wear. So you should either like the location, or be willing to compromise to accommodate your budgetary restrictions.
When to Book a Full Session
- If your family includes young children. Unlike adults, children can be difficult to round up and to make sit or stand still. A full session will give young children the time they need to get warm up and get comfortable. It also allows children to have plenty of time for transitions, little breaks, and maybe even some play for precious candid shots!
- If you want options. A full session means that the photographer will have more time which means I can get candid shots between posing, or take the time to test out any of your specific requests. In the end, you will have more images to choose from for print. This is the best choice for a family who has yet to have family photos, or has not had their photos updated in several years.
- If you want to choose the location. If you want to choose your own location and props then a full session will suit your needs better. You will have much more freedom to dictate and customize the session to achieve your vision.
- If you want more control over the session. If you want to have a say on the posing, creative ideas, or even have an outfit change. Than a full session would be fore you!
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