If you’ve wanted to schedule a photoshoot with a professional photographer for some time now, you’ve probably seen a few mentions of mini sessions. When you’re not familiar with everything a full photoshoot includes, it can be hard to figure out what a mini session entails.

As you can guess by the name, a mini session is less of a time and financial commitment than a full photoshoot. Both full photoshoots and mini sessions offer real value to clients, but given each person’s unique circumstances, one may be a better fit than the other.

Advantages of Mini Sessions

If you want to capture photos of your three toddlers, chances are you’re already pretty strapped for time, which is when a mini session might be a better option for you. A mini session may also benefit you in this case because it will require your toddlers to be on their best behavior for a shorter amount of time, making it less likely you’ll have an epic meltdown to contend with. That can take some stress off your shoulders.

Mini sessions are also ideal if you’re considering working with a photographer for a more custom shoot and you want to try out their services, almost like a sample session.

Advantages of Full Photoshoots

If you need a larger variety of photos that follow a specific style, a full photoshoot would be a better option. Let’s say you’ve decided to update the décor of your home, and you want some high-quality family photos to hang as art prints. You’ll have a wider selection of photos and styles to choose from if you book a full photoshoot with a trained photographer.

A full photo session also costs more, so keep that in mind when planning for your session. But if you want to make an investment in capturing this special time in your life, there’s arguably no better way to do it, so it may be worth the splurge.

Main Differences Between a Mini and Full Photo Session

If you’re still not sure which type of session would be better for your circumstances, here is a quick comparison of these two types of photo sessions. Keep in mind that this might differ among photographers, so you should be sure to ask your photographer what each session includes at their studio.

Mini Sessions

• Predetermined location: You won’t have a lot of time for moving between locations, so one location will usually be used.
• A smaller time slot: The average mini session lasts from 20 minutes to an hour.
• Fewer images: Clients can expect to receive fewer images because there won’t be as much time for posing and taking additional pictures.
• No custom editing: Most mini sessions do not include custom edits.
• Fewer outfits: Subjects will be able to take photos in one to three outfits.
• Special props are less likely: It may not always be possible to use special props during a mini shoot because of the lack of time. Special props are generally used for personal branding sessions.
• Less time for the consultation: The pre-shoot consultation is briefer than what you may have with a full photo session. If you’re the type who likes to take your time exploring exactly what you want, you’ll need to be prepared by giving some thought ahead of time as to what you’re looking for.

Full Photo Sessions

• You can choose a location for your shoot: This can be especially helpful for certain types of shots, such as engagement photos or high school senior pictures, where a location is often extremely important. 
• Longer sessions: The average full photoshoot lasts about two hours. That gives you more time to find the exact shot you want, but it also requires a larger time commitment, which doesn’t work for everyone. 
• More images: Clients can expect to receive more images since the session is longer.
• Custom editing: There will be more options for editing the images, leading to exceptional quality.
• Longer consultation: The pre-shoot consultation is in person and more detailed.
• Special props are welcome: More décor and props can be included in the shoot.
• More wardrobe changes: Subjects can bring extra outfits for the session, usually up to four or five.
• More posing: More poses can be used during the shoot, giving you a wider range of unique images.

Choose Whatever Works Best for You

If you’re wondering whether mini sessions are better than a full photoshoot, know that there’s no real way to say one is better than the other because each option serves a slightly different purpose – it all depends on what you want to achieve.

Regardless of the option you choose, you can expect to receive beautiful photographic memories that you can use for years to come. If you’re still unsure what you’d like, speak to our photographer about your requirements to decide what’s best for you.