Which one is Right for your Family?
I'm often asked about the differences in Full Sessions and Minis. You might be surprised to learn that it's not all about price! There are many options to weigh when deciding what is the perfect fit for your family.
Time
At its simplest, Mini Sessions are, well, mini. This means shorter session times. While Full Sessions tend to be about an hour in length, Minis are often about 15-20 minutes. This can be great if you have little ones with shorter attentions spans and high energy! If you are still in the toddler stage, family sessions are still work! You're running after little legs, playing games, tickling, and always moving. And sometimes they don't want to play along. So short and sweet can be great. You may also like this session if you have teens that would rather be doing anything than taking photos with their parents. *insert eyeroll* These sessions are fast and furious!
However, if you have kiddos that are timid and take a while to warm up (no matter their age) Full Sessions are for you! We have so much more time for me to earn their trust. We start slow and I really get to know you and your family. We have time to really document your connections and relationships. And after so many years of photographing families, I have a slew of games that we play throughout your session to keep kids engaged and get those genuine smiles.
Gallery Size
Another big difference in these sessions is the amount of photos you can expect to receive. Whether your photographer is all inclusive (higher session fees and includes all the photos) or allows you to upgrade your gallery (lower session fee and set amount of digitals with the option to purchase more if you wish) your gallery will be smaller with a Mini Session and larger with a Full Session.
My Mini galleries tend include about 5-10 photos of your choice with the option to purchase the gallery of about 30-40 photos. If you choose a Full Session with me, you can expect 20 photos to be included with the option to purchase the full gallery of about 80-100 photos.
Pricing
Okay, I know I said it's not all about price, but that is part of it. Minis are going to cost less than full sessions. This is partly because of the shorter session time and smaller gallery size we've already talked about. But also, photographers are able to charge less for Mini Sessions because the clients come in back to back. It helps offset the cost of the location, editing, and time and allows the photographer to give their clients a bit of a break! Win win!
Location
After booking a Full Session with me, YOU get to choose the location. My clients sometimes have a place in mind that fits their vision and if not, I work with them to find the perfect location. Mini Session locations are chosen by the photographer.
Your Why
The last difference is all about your vision and needs. I actually see many of my clients for both Full and Mini Sessions each year. Full sessions are all about documenting your family. Taking the time to tell your story. But Minis can be useful to update your photos (maybe you have a new baby or that wiggly tooth finally fell out) or just to get something special for your Holiday card.
Whether I see you for a Full Session or a Mini or BOTH, honestly there's no greater joy for me that to see and visit with my families. I love every opportunity I'm given to see you so we can connect, chat and I can give you a great big hug!
