The differences between a Mini session and a Full session
There are many different session types out there, so you may be wondering which is the best one for you. I’ll list some of the differences for you below, including pro’s and con’s.
Mini Sessions
Mini sessions have become extremely popular over the last few years, and it’s easy to see why. They typically come with a lower cost and sometimes even a theme; at the very least, they include a pre-planned location, so all the planning is taken care of for you. I’ve offered Tree Farm, Fall colours, and Motherhood flower farm mini’s, for example. They’re great for those who just want a few new photos as opposed to a full gallery of images. Sessions usually range from 10-20 minutes, with the typical session scheduled for 15 minutes. Fifteen minutes isn’t very long, but when you’re only receiving 10-15 images, it’s plenty of time! You’ll see below that many aspects of mini session’s can be both pro’s and con’s, depending on your circumstances and what you value in a photography session.
Pro’s
lower cost
short time commitment
the planning is done for you, you just need to get yourself and any other family members dressed, ready, and to the location on time
can be great for kids with short attention spans
Con’s
less time to get comfortable in front of the camera
for shyer children, 15 minutes may not be enough time for them to want to participate
you receive a limited number of images
less flexibility; you don’t pick the location or date
Full photography sessions
Full sessions, on the other hand, leave you with a lot more flexibility and input, images, and time with the photographer. For example, my full sessions last up to an hour long, and my clients can choose the location (ex. their home or a nearby trail they frequent), time and date together with me. My clients receive 50+ images for a lifestyle session and have lots of time to warm up to the camera and get comfortable.
Many people choose to do a full session for certain milestones in their lives (maternity, newborn, engagements, etc.) but it doesn’t need to be reserved for milestones; full sessions can also be a great opportunity to simply document you and your loved one(s) as you are right now, no special occasion necessary. A full session negates a lot of the “con’s” of a mini session, with the only real downside being that a full session costs more than a mini session. It is a longer time commitment from clients, but most consider that a good thing!
These two session types will likely be suitable to many people at different points over the years. One year it might make sense to do a mini session or two, and the next year it feels more appropriate to do a full session. If you’re interested in chatting more with me about your options, reach out to me here. You can also keep an eye on my upcoming mini sessions here. Either way, you’re going to receive some beautiful keepsake images that you’ll treasure for years to come!
