It’s hard to believe, but it’s that time of the year when we begin dusting off our planners (or purchasing new ones) in preparation of the fall months. Sports schedules start to roll out, schools post events on their calendar, and if you’ve really got your ducks in order, you’re already thinking about family photos for those adorable holiday cards.

These days, the choices in photographers are overwhelming. Finding someone who can accurately and artistically portray your family at the right price point can take some time. Even within the offerings a particular photographer, deciding on the kind of package that best suits your needs requires some navigation.

Today, I mainly want to tackle the topic of mini sessions: are they right for you? While many are drawn to its economical value as well as its efficiency, it’s helpful to know that there are additional equally-important factors to consider. I’m here to lay out for you all the pros and cons of these mini sessions so that you feel completely equipped to make the right choice for your family!

All-Inclusive vs Upsell

Not all mini session packages are created equal. Some photographers will include all deliverable images taken within the timeframe of your session (all-inclusive) while others will deliver a prearranged amount, usually 3-5 photos, with the option for clients to upgrade to all images from the session for an additional fee (upsell). These two are the most common mini session pacakges offered by photographers. Make sure you are fully educated on what is included in your session before your purchase!

Date and Location Flexibility

Mini sessions take place on dates and at locations predetermined by your photographer. These sessions are run on a tight schedule and families are often scheduled back-to-back in order to maximize the photographer’s time on site. This situation works well for families who are able to organize themselves efficiently and quickly, and are not picky about backgrounds. If you are looking to photograph in a specific location for your portraits or have certain dates in mind, then perhaps a regular session with your photographer would be a more fitting option to consider.

Posed vs Candid Images

In my opinion, this is one of the biggest differences between mini sessions and full-length sessions! If you are simply looking for an easy update on family photos, a mini session is a great option. However, if you gravitate towards photos with artistic angles and candid connections, those will be best found within a full-length session. What most people may not know is that a story-telling photograph takes time to create. It may seem like your photographer is just snapping away the entire time, but s/he is actually patiently waiting for the right moment when the scene comes together or when the child finally relaxes to click the shutter. While this can certainly happen within a short time frame, chances are that the photographer will default to capturing the traditional family portraits given the constraints of a mini session.

Children’s Disposition

Is your child slow to warm up or are they quick to cooperate but lose steam after a little while? Knowing your child’s disposition will set everyone up for success. If your child tends to be shy and reserved around strangers, it does not mean that a mini session is out of the question. What it does mean is that you as the parent will need to adjust your expectations for the session time as well as the final product. Perhaps your child may not be smiling in the photos (which is okay in my opinion because I think little kids are so cute even without smiling!) or they will want to be held the entire time. If this is not preferred, then booking a full-length session will give your child the space they need to feel comfortable and start smiling on their own. On the contrary, if you know your child does great within the first 15 minutes but cooperation decreases significantly thereafter, then mini sessions are the perfect fit. Short and sweet, and everyone goes home happy!

In the end, take comfort in that there is no right or wrong way to go about this as long as you are documenting your family! What is especially important is that you, mamas, are getting in front of the camera and being in those photos with your precious babies. I simply hope for this post to be a resource to you as you navigate the world of photographers and their various offerings so that you can make the best investment possible!