Mini Sessions VS Full Sessions

Whether you're in the Lehigh Valley area and looking for a family photographer, or just curious about the differences between mini sessions and full sessions, you've come to the right place! As a professional photographer, I offer both types of sessions to my clients, and today I want to share some tips to help you choose the best session for you and your family.

If you're looking for quick shots or just need one good photo for a specific purpose like a holiday card or a pregnancy announcement, a mini session may be the way to go. However, if you want genuine smiles and a variety of images to choose from, a full session is the better choice. With more time to get to know each other and build trust, I can capture those special moments that truly reflect your family's personality.

If your child takes a bit of time to warm-up, a full session is for you.

Mini sessions are just that…mini! Most of my minis are about ten minutes long. These are best suited for children who are comfortable in front of the camera and take direction from a stranger (me!) well. If your child needs a bit of time to get comfortable with someone new or isn’t a huge fan of the camera, mini sessions can be a challenge because the time flies by quickly. A full session gives us plenty of time to get to know one another and for me to build a quick relationship and trust with your child. It’s a bit more of a time commitment but well worth it for genuine smiles in your final photos.

If you’re using your photos for a very specific purpose, a mini session is for you.

My most popular mini sessions of the year are my holiday mini sessions. Why? Most clients want one good photo to use for their holiday card. If you aren’t looking for a large gallery of images to choose from and have a specific use in mind (pregnancy announcement, birthday invitation, change of address card), a mini session is the session for you. We’ll get a variety of shots to choose from in a short amount of time, the perfect combination of both short time commitment and maximum results. 

If you want to include extended family, a full session is for you. 

If your family is in town for a short amount of time and you’d like to get some updated photos together for grandma’s living room wall, a full session is the way to go. Full sessions give us the time to group members of your family in a variety of combinations. We’re not rushed if someone thinks of an idea they’d like me to photograph. In addition, you’ll receive far more images to choose from in your gallery after a full session simply due to the time we spend together shooting. The opportunity for updated extended family photos doesn’t happen often. It’s best not to rush it with a mini session but rather allow it the time and attention to detail warranted for such a special occasion.

If you know your child will give you one good smile before being “done,” a mini session is for you. 

We all know our own children well. We also know they go through ages and stages when photos are more of a challenge (2- and 3-year-olds are notoriously tough). If you know your child will need all the bribes, silly faces, and convincing to give us one good smile at this stage in her life, a mini session is for you. I want nothing more than for you to leave with a positive experience and sometimes that means it’s best to give it our all for ten minutes to get a few great smiles rather than trying unsuccessfully for a full session. As a side note, if your child is in one of these stages, I promise it gets better. Hang in there and trust me on that one!

Of course, these are just general guidelines, and there are always exceptions. As a Lehigh Valley family photographer, I know that every family is unique and has their own dynamic. So if you're not sure which type of session is best for you, please don't hesitate to reach out and we can discuss it together. Whether you choose a mini session or a full session, I promise to provide a positive experience and create beautiful images that you'll cherish forever.

E :)