While both mini sessions and full sessions are offered all year round, there are vast differences between the two. I've compiled a few examples to help distinguish between the two and which will work best for the session you have in mind.
Mini Session
- Thirty minutes or less
- Lower rate than a full session
- Usually themed and set up by photographer
- One pre-set date
- Mini sessions are priced for volume with typically 10 or more other clients booking the same date
- Batch editing and batch galleries
- Small number of images due to session price and timeframe
- Good for Holiday Cards
- No decision making for locations
- Not customizable
Full Length Session
- Thirty minutes or more
- Prices based on packages, product sales or both
- Less likely to be themed and if they are the client usually takes care of it
- Dates are decided between client and photographer availability
- You are the client for the day- sessions are personalized for you and there isn't a rush or time crunch for the next session in line
- Personal Gallery
- Typically offers more images per session
- Enough images for full albums
- Get to be involved with location scouting and decisions
- Fully custom
Decisions...
To sum up the different sessions...
Mini sessions are quick and easy. The only decisions you make are clothing choices and time slots. You show up, jump in and jump out. A bit later, you get the few images allotted to the mini session. Low stress, but also low customization.
Full sessions are well planned and completely custom. For my sessions, I work side-by-side with my clients in choosing the dates, time and locations. We go over clothing choices, props and what they envision the final images looking like.
So, are you the low-key stress-free sort who just wants to get in and get out or are you the kind that would rather be involved in the planning process, take your time during the session and have a lot more photo options at the end?
