Full Session vs. Mini Session: Which is Better for My Family?
If you’re torn between a full portrait session and a mini session, you’re not alone. “But Rachel, which one is better for my family??” I get this question a lot. The answer is going to be different for each family, and may change from year to year. This Fall, I have a limited number of session spots available for families looking to book full hour-long sessions, and so far am planning 3 mini session dates, so there should be an opportunity to get one or the other booked if you were hoping to work with me this year.
For now, I’ll do a run down of the differences between FULL sessions and MINI sessions, and some advantages to each and you can decide which one fits your family’s preferences and needs.
MINI SESSION - $400 + tax
20 minutes
Predetermined location
15 images
FULL SESSION - $700 + tax
1 Hour
Location of your choice
100 images
Full Session Advantages
More time means a more relaxed session. If you have particularly rambunctious kiddos, or on the opposite end particularly shy kiddos who need time warming up to new people and places, the longer session format will be your best friend. We have time to explore the location, time to play games and get the wiggles out, and coax those genuine smiles.
A more diverse gallery. If you’re a lover of all those little in-between moments, a full session is what you’re looking for. We have time to get the standard “look-here-and-smile!” shots that everyone loves for their holiday cards, while also having time to get creative and artistic with your images. You will also be able to walk around your portrait location, so we can move to several different backdrops for a much more diverse final gallery.
More images in your gallery. A full gallery is a minimum of 100 images (and y’all know I have never, ever delivered *just* 100 images in a full gallery). More options to choose from, and you know you are getting every single good image I took that day.
You choose the location & time. Maybe there’s a spot that’s incredibly special to your family, or a location that you think is absolutely gorgeous and have been dying to get pictures taken in. You get to choose where your session takes place! You can choose from my curated list of Favorite Pittsburgh Locations, or suggest a place that’s best for you. Full sessions also have the option of taking place at golden hour, which takes advantage of the most beautiful golden light of the whole day!
Mini Session Advantages:
Price point. A full photo session is a big investment. This lower price point is a more manageable option for families who love to get updated images every year, but don’t necessarily need to have “the works” every single time.
Short & Sweet. You know your kiddos best, and some little rugrats can truly ONLY hang for 20 minutes and then they are past the point of no return. I TOTALLY understand! If you know your kid is a total ham right out of the gate, mini sessions absolutely may be your best bet. (As a warning that goes along with this one, mini sessions are scheduled in a tight block and typically book completely up, so we have much less wiggle room when it comes to lateness, cooperation, etc.)
Just need a few photos. Mini sessions include 15 images. After all, sometimes you don’t need a full gallery of 100 images to sift through. You are just looking for a few photos for your annual holiday card. THIS is the session to take advantage of! You can count on 2-3 different poses in the same background, and your gallery will only include the best of the best images.
No matter which session you choose, we are going to make some beautiful images of your family and you’ll leave with a treasured collection of memories. I am so excited to see all of your beautiful faces this season, and cannot wait to work with you!
xo,
Rachel