Let’s talk mini sessions vs. full sessions. Now that late summer is here, I am getting so excited about our upcoming fall mini sessions! Mini session events are always such a fun time, but one of the most common questions we get as a North Alabama family photographer is:

“What is the difference between mini and full sessions?”

That question is then typically followed by

“Okay, so how do I decide which one is right for my family?”

When you’re trying to make that decision, there are many factors you should consider. Let’s go over them:

1. Duration

Our full-length sessions typically last between one and two hours, which gives us the flexibility to tailor our service to each individual client’s needs. We can take breaks, if needed, which is helpful for some families with young kids.

Other families are better suited to the fast-paced nature of mini sessions–shooting quickly and efficiently before the kiddos even have a chance to melt down. Minis are scheduled in short, back-to-back intervals; ours usually last between 5-10 minutes with a short break between sessions.

2. Customization and Flexibility

When you book a full portrait session, you’ll be able to have as much input as you want in the planning process: date, location, theme, and more. If you book with a luxury, full-service photographer, you’ll be able to have an even more customized experience.

All of our portraiture clients receive a full planning meeting, access to our client wardrobe, resources to prepare for their session, and an optional ordering appointment where we guide them through the process of preserving their photographs through heirloom artwork. (More about our experience here.)

Mini sessions, on the other hand, are fully pre-planned by the photographer, from date and time to location to theme. This makes mini sessions a great choice for busy families who don’t want to make lots of decisions, but perhaps not a great fit for someone who already has a vision for their dream session.

Mini sessions also usually have limited spots available and strict cancellation policies, making flexibility more limited.

3. Price

The price of mini sessions is significantly lower than that of full sessions, but a common misconception is that mini sessions are basically just discounted full sessions. The price difference comes not from a discount, but from the fact that they are totally different products.

Compared to mini sessions, full sessions provide a much more personalized, in depth experience, as well as a much larger selection of photos in the final gallery. It’s important to keep that difference in mind when setting your expectations for whichever session type you choose.

4. Theme

While not always the case, mini sessions are often themed (Mother’s day, Christmas, etc). Even when they don’t have a theme, the availability of minis is often seasonal.

Many photographers only hold mini sessions once or twice per year, so if that’s what you’re looking for, we recommend keeping an eye on your favorite photographer’s Instagram for announcements!

With those differences in mind, consider what specifically you are looking for in a photoshoot.

Is there a special location that you want to feature in your photos? A full session is probably a better fit for you. Do you want to simply get a shoot on your calendar without the need to plan anything? A mini session will be great.

Choosing between mini sessions vs full sessions… As you consider the pros and cons of each session type for your family’s needs, here are some additional questions to ask yourself:

1. What is your goal for the session?

• A subtle perk of mini sessions is that they offer the chance to “sample” working with a specific photographer before committing to a full session.
  
  Many clients prefer to work with the same photographer year after year rather than researching and meeting someone new for each milestone. Deciding on that photographer can initially feel a little intimidating, but a mini session can be a great way to determine whether you’ll be a good fit longterm.
  

• Mini sessions result in a much smaller gallery of final images than full sessions, which limits how you can display your photos.
  
  If you are looking for an heirloom album or a full gallery wall of your photographs, you’ll likely need to book a full session. If, however, you just want an updated profile picture, a photo for your holiday cards, or a statement matted and framed piece, a mini session will be perfect.
  
  
  

2. How many people do you want to be in your photos?

Because of the short time frame of mini sessions, they are often limited to 5 or 6 people in each group. If you would like to take photos with a whole group of friends or your extended family, you’ll likely need to either book a full session. Alternatively, you can ask your photographer about booking multiple mini session time slots back to back.

3. Are you bringing any pets?

Many families want to include pets in their annual family portraits, and most photographers are happy to accommodate that! However, some locations don’t allow pets. For full sessions, you can work with your photographer to select the perfect pet-friendly location. Since mini sessions are pre-planned, a pet-free venue will mean you need to wait for the next event or leave the furry friends at home.

4. How long will your kids last?

For families with littles, one of the most important factors to consider is how quickly your kids can warm up to the camera and how long the kids can handle having their photo taken. Sometimes, a full session is more than kiddos (and, let’s be honest, some husbands!) can handle, so a mini session might be a better fit. But for some families, children (and even adults!) will need time to warm up, so a full session would be better fit. As you decide, think about whether your family would do better working at a slower pace, taking breaks as needed, or getting through a session as quickly as possible.

TO CONCLUDE: Both mini sessions and full sessions offer their own benefits for different clients. If you want a simple, pre-planned session at a lower price point, a mini session is a great choice. If you prefer a fully custom, high-touch experience with more flexibility and a larger final gallery, a full session will be the better investment.

If you’re in the North Alabama area and interested in a mini session this fall, check out this collaboration between The Bunny Hive and Fauna & Film! These curated mini sessions will be hosted at Monte Sano State Park on October 16th. We also created a style guide to help you plan wardrobe for your fall session!

When in doubt, think about your ultimate goals for your photos. If you’re still not sure which is right for you, feel free to reach out—we’d love to help you choose the perfect option for your family’s needs. Or, if you’re planning for a seasonal photo session, check out our Spring Style Guide or Fall Style Guide!

Fauna & Film is a Huntsville family photographer specializing in nostalgic film photography and home movies for busy couples and families in Huntsville, Alabama and the Tennessee Valley. From bespoke heirloom albums to custom, museum-worthy framed artwork, their passion is to serve clients by designing artwork for them that will last generations.  Your memories deserve to be seen.

Currently serving Huntsville, Madison, Decatur, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and surrounding area.