If you're thinking about booking a photoshoot, and are stuck between whether a full session or a mini session is right for you, you're in the right place!
Firstly, here is the run down of the two different types of mini sessions that I offer:~
Seasonal minis ~ Mothers Day, Christmas Minis and other select times of the year
These mini sessions are back to back in nature and held on select days of the year. They are often styled and the exact style and location of the sessions will vary by occasion. For example, this years Mother's Day Mini Sessions are held across two days, one with a floral set up in the studio and the other with a white sheet set-up at an outdoor field.
Studio Minis
The second type of mini session that I offer are studio mini sessions, these are held year round on a Monday, Tuesday and Fridays in my home studio ~ they are perfect for milestone sessions, pregnancy announcements, maternity and intimate motherhood shoots (like breastfeeding). My studio mini sessions are for mama and her little ones only and the aesthetic matches all my other studio session ~ simple, white and classic.
My mini sessions are perfect if...
- You love the styled set up of the seasonal mini sessions. (Because is there really any better reason to book in a mini session then "I simply must have photos of me and my babies in that gorgeous set-up!"~ I get it, I've been there, I am you.)
- If you are wanting to mark a particular milestone or capture a special point in time ~ i.e. 6 month sitter session, pregnancy announcement, start of school portraits, a special point in your breastfeeding journey. These are all super great reasons to book a mini session, whether they fall when one of the styled seasonal sessions are on (lucky you!) or you opt for a studio mini.
- You are in between your usual family photos and still want to capture this stage ~ For example you get annual family photos but still want something small to capture the age in the middle (which is super, super common in those first few years because so much growing happens in a really short time during this stage of life).
- You have never had a shoot before, are 10/10 nervous, and want a little taster before you commit to the full thing.
- Because you just need a nice photo of your and your kids!
A mini session goes by super quickly. My seasonal styled sessions are typically fast paced, a little wild and full of belly laughs to capture your children's gorgeous smiles. The studio minis can be the same, or slower and more intimate depending on what you are there to capture.
We really can achieve a beautiful versatile gallery in a mini session, and for some this little snippet will be exactly what you need.
So when should you choose a full session?
You want beautiful memories to go with your beautiful photos
To some the idea of a mini session seems more manageable than a 60 minute session, but I actually find the opposite to be true. Extra time allows for everyone to relax and enjoy the experience. With time, kids really warm up and come out of their shell (and so do reluctant dads) and I often find that we get the best little versions of them when they have mum and dads full attention and, for this hour at least, its all about them ~ we do what they want to do. It's also less stressful for the adults, we can let the session unfold naturally, you can really engage and enjoy your time with your children and family and it's never a problem if we need to take a moment for a long cuddle or a snack and water break. We have time to chat and get to know each other, it's less intense, the pace is slower and everyone usually feels much more comfortable and less stiff as time goes on. It's super common that kids have a really fun afternoon (or morning) and talk about it in the days after.
You want to choose your location or have a particular creative vision for your session
Mini sessions are only available in a specific location (which varies each time for seasonal sessions, or is in my studio for weekday sessions). This is how I keep them affordable and the result consistent.
There is so much more flexibility and versatility in a full session. You are fully involved in the planning stage, and we pick a location that is right for you and achieves the vision you have for your session. On top of choice of the location, most of the locations I shoot offer even further variety once your there (i.e. my fav beach that has limestone cliffs, dunes and the clear beachfront, or my fav field that offers wide open field shots, big trees, and river views), so your gallery is super versatile.
You want your images to tell a story
One of the greatest benefits of a full length session is time. We have so much time which allows us all to slow down, have fun, follow the kids lead and make some really beautiful memories to go with your photos. I know I have the time to get the shots I need, so I let them happen more naturally and capture all those little in between moments that can get over looked (or don't happen) in a mini session ~ the little details, the curls at the back of their head, you mothering. On top of this, we have the time to do what it is you want to do, like jump in the water, have a picnic etc. Your gallery will be full of variety and really tell your families story capturing the intimate details of what it is to be you, in this season.
You want to bring your whole family (or your fur babies)
Most of my mini sessions are only for mum and the kids (except for a select few seasonal minis that include dad). So if you want to bring your whole family or your fur babies a full length session is for you!
