It can be hard to decide which session type is best for you and your family. Do you need really need a full one hour session, or will a quick mini session do the trick? Here are some things to think about to decide!
Location
Location is a big one. If you don’t have a strong preference on the backdrop, a mini session is a great option since the location is determined ahead of time. I am able to offer the discounted sessions since I don’t have to factor in travel time for each family, which can be a few hours of my day just getting back and forth to private sessions.
But if you want the convenience of just stepping out to your front yard or to a nearby park, or using a location that has some meaning to you, the private session assures you get to pick your place! If your kids are going to be a mess after a car ride, or you need to be close to a spare change of clothes, toys, snacks, etc, the private session takes away the stress of all of that since you can be close to home!
Warm-Up Time
Some kids can knock it out of the park right away with big smiles and cooperative attitudes. But most of the time it’s just the luck of their mood, the day, or the alignment of the stars. Other kids are shy and cautious and take time to warm up to this new person with a big camera. I do everything I can to get those smiles quickly, but sometimes having the advantage of time helps. If photos sessions are new to your family or your child is a bit more discerning when they flash that smile, having time to get used to the situation helps. Most of the time the best photos come at the very end of the full session!
But if your kid(s) are comfortable with me or have done this before, sometimes they know exactly what to do and the mini session is all you need!
Age
Age plays a factor as well. Younger toddlers sometimes just don’t have the attention span to stay engaged for very long and it’s not worth the melt down that you know is coming if you keep at it. So get in and get out with the shorter mini sessions!
Punctuality
Is it really hard to get anywhere on time? I get it… (I have kids too!) During some seasons of life, it’s just not realistic to be on time no matter how much you plan. Some things are uncontrollable and unpredictable. MIni sessions typically run back-to-back without a lot of wiggle room. So if you only have a 15-minute session and are 5 minutes late, I work as quickly as I can to use the time we have, but can’t be as flexible since there is another family ready to go right after!
Variety
The benefit of time gives us variety. If you’re really just wanting a few photos to use for holiday cards, the mini session may be all you need. But to give the time to really capture personality, get lots of different variations of poses, groupings, interactions and backdrops, the added time helps! It gives the opportunity to capture the “in-between” moments that are more genuine and unexpected.
Cost
Obviously, cost is a big one. A great way to save money and still capture your family is with the mini sessions!
The bottom line is you know your family's needs and the temperament of your kids better than anyone. Think about your goals for the session and the stress points you can minimize!