Mini Sessions: Why They're Perfect for Families on the Go
Hey there, busy families! Life moves at lightning speed, and it's no secret that finding the time for a full-fledged family photoshoot can be quite the challenge. That's where mini sessions come to the rescue! In this blog post, we'll explore the benefits of mini photoshoot sessions and provide you with some fantastic tips to make the most of these shorter, more convenient photography sessions.
But first, what exactly is a mini session?
A mini session is a photo session that usually lasts between 15-30 minutes with a background offered for a limited time. Usually these locations are seasonally themed, like Christmas, Easter, or even flowers as they bloom throughout the season.
So, what are the benefits of mini sessions?
1. Time Efficient: Mini sessions are designed to be short and sweet, typically lasting between 15-30 minutes. This means you can capture beautiful family moments without dedicating an entire day to it. It's a fantastic option for families with hectic schedules or families with littles to see how the do with a shorter session before commiting to a full family session.
2. Less Stress: With a mini session, they can feel less intimidating as parents with young children who are thinking “How will my kid handle a full 1-2 hour session?!”. The shorter time frame of a mini session is a good way to capture your family in this season of life if a full-session feels like too much at this time.
3. Budget-Friendly: Mini sessions offer a lower upfront cost than full sessions, making them accessible to families who might not be ready to invest in a full session. (This also makes them the perfect way to test out a photographer before investing in a full-session with them!)
4. Versatility: These sessions are perfect for capturing seasonal memoriess of your family. With photographers offering many themes throughout the year like Christmas, Easter, Spring, sunflowers, fall, and many many more in between; there’s a theme for everybody’s taste!
Tips for Making the Most of Mini Sessions
1. Plan Ahead: Discuss any concerns or any surprises/shots you want to do during the session with your photographer ahead of time. This way, your photographer can be prepared to capture what you need and you can make the most of your limited time together.
2. Wardrobe Preparation: Choose outfits in advance. Coordinating colors and styles will make your family look cohesive in the photos. Lay everything out ahead of time to ensure nothing is missing the day of and you’re not left scrambling.
3. Keep It Simple: Stick to one or two locations within the session area. This minimizes the time spent moving from place to place. If your photographer is offering multiple set choices, pick your favourite that you can’t live without and start there.
4. Be Punctual: Arriving to the location early is crucial to the success of a mini session. I recommend arriving 10 minutes early to get everyone in, situated, and make any last minute touch ups to the family. A mini sessions clock is ticking whether you’re ready or not with clients typically coming back to back, so being early ensures you make the most of your shoot time.
5. Relax & enjoy your time: I know it’s easier said than done, but being able to relax and fully enjoy the experience will make it much more enjoyable. Just be yourselves, and let the photographer capture the magic of your bond. Children feed off of your energy too, so being calm going into the session will yield better results!
In the fast-paced world we live in, finding the time for a family photoshoot can be tough, but mini sessions offer a convenient, efficient, and cost-effective solution. So, if you're a family on the go, don't let your busy schedule (or toddlers) keep you from preserving your memories. Embrace the magic of mini sessions and create beautiful snapshots of your family's journey. Because sometimes, it's the smallest moments that make the biggest memories.
