Mini VS Full Photography Session

Kids feeding chickens

So many photographers offer mini sessions, especially in the spring or fall. Mini sessions offer a way to get some updated photos of your family without committing to a full on photography session just dedicated to you. But how do you know if a mini session vs full photography session is right for your family? I am going to break down some of the differences between sessions so you can decide for yourself.

Location Decision

With a mini session, the photographer chooses the location. This takes away the pressure of choosing a location that will be perfect for your family photos. Mini sessions are perfect for people who don’t love making decisions. On the other hand, if you have a meaningful place in mind for your photos then a full session would be the one to choose. Full sessions offer the opportunity to discuss locations and make decisions with your photographer. This is perfect for people who love to be a part of the process!

Price Of Mini Sessions Vs Full Sessions

Mini sessions are less expensive. They don’t cost as much as a full session because they are shorter (hence the name mini session). They also don’t offer the level of customization that a full session has. Depending on your budget, this will probably be a deciding factor for most people. If you are looking for the least expensive option make sure you keep an eye out for mini sessions in your area!

Length Of Sessions

This seems like the most obvious difference between a mini session and full photography session, but there is a lot more to consider when deciding which is best for you. The age of the people who will be participating in the session is a big deciding factor on which session to choose. If you have older kids who just want to get in and out, then a mini session is the perfect answer. Also if you know your kids will willingly listen to prompts then a mini session would be perfect. BUT, if your kids are younger then a longer session gives them more time to get comfortable around the camera.

Number Of Photos

Mini sessions offer less photo options just because of how short the sessions are. This is perfect if you just want a few photos to hang up in your house, or if you are looking for photos for a specific purpose (ie Christmas cards or Easter photos.) Most of the time photographers offer somewhere around 5 photos included with the session with the option to upgrade to the full gallery. On the other hand, full sessions offer so many more options. You have time for outfit changes, location changes, more time to walk around the location you choose, and since you are paying more you get more photos included in your package.

My Mini Sessions

I hope this has helped you decide between a mini vs full photography session! If you are reading this at the time of me posting it, then I am running some mini sessions in April! You can also always check with me to see when is the next time I am offering mini sessions. Feel free to click this link to find out more about them!

CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE YOUR MINI SESSION WITH ME

If I am not running mini sessions (or if mini sessions aren’t right for your family) then you can read more about my full sessions here.

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT MY FULL SESSIONS

Richmond Va Photographer
Midlothian VA Photographer
Richmond Va Photographer Mini Session
Powhatan Va Photographer

Feel free to email me if you have any other questions!

Powhatan Photographer
  1. Gloria Thomas says:

    I’m am looking for a photographer to take family group pictures
    Particularly of my grandchildren with me. They will all be here for Christmas. Will you be available on Christmas Eve for a full session ?

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