Is a Mini Sessions the Right Choice for You?
✨ Fall Mini Sessions Are Almost Here! ✨
My annual fall mini sessions sell out every year, and I am thrilled to be offering them again this season! I don’t want you to miss the chance to join in, but I also want you to know exactly what to expect so you can decide if a mini session—or a full session—is the best fit for your family.
My Mini Sessions include:
15 minutes of fun! These sessions are scheduled back-to-back at the same location on the same day, which means they move faster than a full session.
Family portraits first. We’ll start with your whole family together, then capture smaller groupings as time allows—kids only, mom with kids, dad with kids, or just the two of you.
These do lend themselves to be more posed than candid, since the session is short it really focuses on classic portraits.
A once-a-year opportunity to book a session to update your family photos at a special rate.
Mini sessions are a fun, fast-paced, once-a-year opportunity at a special rate. They’re perfect for updated portraits and holiday cards, but if your family has more complex needs, a full session will give you the best experience and results. Below are a few things to consider about your own family dynamics and personal photography needs when deciding between a full or mini session.
Mini sessions are designed for 6 people or less.
If your family includes more than 6 members (or if you’d like extended family involved), I would recommend a full session where I have the time and space to beautifully capture every combination.
Pets are family too!
I never turn down a family that wants to include their dog in the family photos. I love getting portraits of them all by themselves as well as with the family. There are just a few things to keep in mind when including a dog.
My main focus of a mini session is always the people, and with the limited time of a mini it can sometimes be a distraction to add a furry friend into the mix, especially if they aren’t obidient. Knowing your dog really will dictate whether or not you feel they will cooperate within the 15 minutes.
New places make for many distractions so bringing a squeaky toy or a treat comes in handy. If your dog is primarily an indoor dog then you might want to consider a full session where I have more time to get their attention.
Either way, children tend to be much more relaxed and at ease during a session with the family dog which can help bring out natural smiles!
More than one little one?
If you have twins, multiple toddlers, or little ones who aren’t walking just yet, you might find a full session is the most comfortable fit since it allows us more time, flexibility, and breaks as needed.
That said, mini sessions can absolutely still work—I just want you to feel prepared! During a mini, you’ll likely be holding your babies the whole time since sessions are fast-paced and booked back-to-back. Either way, we’ll capture sweet, genuine moments you’ll treasure.
What is your personal photography preference?
Mini sessions are a wonderful way to update your family portraits—perfect for Christmas cards, getting sweet sibling shots, parents with individual kids, and a few individual portraits of each child. You can expect a gallery of approximately 15-20 finished images that give you a beautiful snapshot of this season in your family’s life.
That said, minis are a pared-down experience. If you have a long wish list of poses or very specific combinations in mind, a full session will be the better fit so I have the extra time to make those happen.
Since mini sessions are scheduled back-to-back, I begin with the full family portrait and then move into smaller groupings as time allows. This ensures you’ll walk away with the most important shots. During a full session, I still maintain that focus but also have more time to play and relax into the session so that I capture those in-between moments that make your family photos genuine and memorable.
