Mini sessions are great for a quick and easy way to get those family photos updated and ready to be sent out on a holiday card…er your holiday Instagram post. As a photographer, and a mom, I love mini sessions. However, in over 5 years of professional experience, I’ve learned that they aren’t always the best fit for everyone. So is a mini session a good fit for your family? 

If you’re new here, hi! I’m Sadie. Your St. George photographer, photo location expert, and styling assistant. I am here to do everything in my power to make this the least stressful, most comfortable, and most fun photo experience you’ve had. 

Since starting my business in 2019, I have photographed over 300 families in Colorado and Oregon. I am so excited to now serve families in St. George, Utah and the surrounding areas–the place that I grew up and now call my family’s home. I can’t wait to meet you and your family!

Mini Sessions

Let’s define a true mini session. A mini session is usually 10-15 minutes and usually includes 5-10 images of your choice. I’ve found the sweet spot is usually 15 minutes. During this time you and your family will step right up, get a posed family shot or two, a few other groupings and then you’re on your way. Photos are delivered within about 2 weeks and you can select your favorites. These typically come in at a lower price point than a regular session too. There is a lot of appeal! 

What are your expectations? 

If you’re booking a mini session and hoping to just get a few good photos of your family and have a very short wish list of what photos you want, then this might be right up your alley. If you have a very specific shotlist it might not be a good fit for you. Your 15 minutes do go by pretty quickly and doesn’t always allow for a ton of variety as far as shots and groupings go. I always ask for any specific shots you want so I can do my best to snap those for you. However, if it’s a longer list, a full session might be better for you. 

What is the personality of your kid(s)? 

As a photographer, I do my very best to make your session fun and engaging. I have lots of tricks up my sleeve and love to get those big belly laughs and genuine smiles. However, there are some kids that, despite my best efforts, just don’t warm up in a short span of time. And, who can blame them? (I have a kid like this actually!) There are other kids who show up ready to be my BFF and they do very well for photos in a short period of time. 

If you have a little one who is a bit more timid and shy, a longer session might be a better option for you if you’re really hoping to capture those smiles. 

If you have kids who are ready to go and are pretty happy to meet just about anyone and follow directions well, a mini session could be a great option for you!

What is the size of your family? 

I do not recommend mini sessions for families of more than 4-5 people. With more people than 4-5, your time gets eaten up very quickly and you’re not able to get the full experience and all of the photos you want. 

What is your budget? 

If you’re on a tighter budget, a mini session is a great fit! Generally speaking they are less of an investment and still a good opportunity to get high quality photos. 

How flexible are you?

Mini sessions are usually stacked back-to-back. Meaning that punctuality is SO SO important. Photographers are usually unable to accommodate changes because someone is right before and right after your spot. If you’re someone who has no problem being somewhere 10 minutes early this is a great fit for you! If you need a bit more flexibility on time then a full session might be a better option since you’d be the only client that day. 

Let’s talk about a longer session!

I receive so many messages from moms who tell me they don’t think their little one(s) can last for a full session. I hear you and you aren’t wrong! Most little ones can’t last for a full 30-60 minutes being told to stand still and say “cheese”. Heck, most adults I work with can’t even do that. 

This is why I take a very child-led and lifestyle approach to longer sessions. I always promise a few good posed and smiling photos, but these longer sessions are really spent playing games, snuggling, and focusing on the candid and authentic connections your family already has. I find that most kids are pretty sad to go when it’s time to wrap things up.

I absolutely love mini sessions for so many reasons and think they can be an amazing option for many people. Ultimately, my goal is to help make sure you have the best family photo experience no matter what type of session you book! So what do you think, is a mini or a longer session better for your family?