THE JOURNAL
There’s never a bad time to book a photography session.
Whether you’re celebrating your upcoming graduation with senior portraits or you want to capture this fleeting moment in time with updated family photos, you’ll be grateful you made time for a photo session.
However, the bigger question is how much time you need to capture those memories. As you consider whether you want to book a mini portrait session or a full portrait session, you’ll also want to define your photography needs, goals, and budget.
To find what session type is best for you, I’ve put together a quick comparison so you can find your best fit.
When to book a mini portrait session
Mini sessions are typically offered by photographers who want to give their clients the option of taking portraits in a shortened session. These portraits are usually captured at predetermined locations with different time slots you can sign up for. These sessions occur back-to-back, so I’m able to serve multiple clients in one day!
Mini sessions are best for:
- Quick, specific needs: Mini sessions are perfect for seasonal photos—such as holiday cards, professional headshots, and birthdays—or for high school seniors who only need a handful of great images for the yearbook.
- Budget-conscious clients: Due to the shortened time and the predetermined location, I’m able to offer a lower-cost option for professional photos.
- Short attention spans: This means it can be ideal for children or pets who may struggle with long sessions. You know your kids and pets best!
- Minimal variety: If you need a handful of great, updated images, this option will be your best bet.
What to expect from mini portrait sessions:
- Time: 20 minutes.
- Limited customization: Pre-determined location, poses, and setup (all chosen by me!).
- Fewer photos: Typically 30 edited images are included in the final gallery.
- Seasonal availability: Often tied to specific dates or themes— such as a Mother’s Day session, holiday photo session, or sessions scheduled during peak Fall colors.
- Convenience: Faster turnaround and lower time commitment.
Examples of recent Mini Sessions
When to book a full portrait session
Full portrait sessions are popular for a reason—they put your vision at the forefront! Instead of meeting me at a location of my choosing, you’ll have the freedom to select your location, setup, and more. You can even choose to take photos in your home, one of my favorite types of photo sessions.
No matter what kind of portrait session you’re looking for, we can make it happen. From full-length senior photos and family sessions to personal brand photoshoots and anniversary portraits, we’ll have plenty of time to capture the photos you’ve been dreaming of.
Full portrait sessions are best for:
- Personalized experiences: These are ideal for senior portraits, engagements, maternity shoots, or family photos with multiple setups. Full sessions are fantastic for storytelling concepts or allotting plenty of time for young kids to take snack breaks.
- Diverse settings: If you want more variety in locations, outfits, or themes, this is your go-to style of session. With full sessions, I’ll collaborate with you to choose which locations match your vision.
- Larger groups: Full sessions allow ample time to coordinate poses and groupings.
- More images: On average, I deliver 80+ fully edited images in your final gallery, giving you a more robust variety to choose from.
What to expect from full portrait sessions:
- Time: 1-2 hours depending on the session type.
- Customizable options: Locations, outfits, and styling tailored to your preferences. Once booked, I send out an entire session preparation guide for us to collaborate leading up to your session.
- Flexibility: There’s more time to relax and capture candid moments. This can be great for kids who are intimidated by the camera or need more time to warm up to new people.
Examples from recent Full Portrait Sessions
How to decide which photography session is best
First, there’s no wrong option when it comes to capturing photos! But if you’re still having trouble narrowing it down, here are a few questions you can ask yourself:
1. What’s the purpose of these photographs? If you need a quick update, go for a mini session. If it’s a special moment or something that requires detailed planning, choose a full session.
2. What’s your budget? Mini sessions are cost-effective, while full sessions provide more value through customization.
3. How much time do you have? Short on time? Mini sessions are a quick solution. Full sessions offer more flexibility for capturing the perfect shot.
And if you need my feedback on which session is best for you, we can talk more about it when you schedule a free call!
