Mini session or full session — what should you book? When it comes to booking your portrait session, you have some options based on the time and number of images needed. Typically, my mini sessions are promotional or limited edition, like my Pink Couch Minis happening right now at Noir Studio Space. You can see more details about this limited-time set up in this blog post. For clients who haven’t had their family portraits updated for some time, it’s hard to know how much time you may need. Not just time either — how many different poses should you plan for? Wardrobe changes? Depending on your crowd size, location preference, and other assortments of variables, you may need more or less time. Below you’ll find all the details you need to determine if you should book a mini or full session. 
How much time do you need?
Mini portrait sessions last between ten to twenty minutes. Full sessions last between one and two hours. If you’re not quite sure how much time you’ll need to capture the images you want, I’m happy to discuss! Usually, if we’re meeting at a park or venue versus in my studio, I’ll suggest a full session to cover our time. My mini-session appointments run back-to-back, so I cannot guarantee I can accommodate clients who arrive after their scheduled time. Please keep this in mind when booking your time slot. 
How many photos do you want?
The number of final images you need will also determine what session you should book. If you need between 5 and 15 images, you’ll be happy to know a mini session will deliver just that. However, if you’re looking for much more than that, our full sessions typically deliver between fifty to one-hundred images.
Mini Session Vs. Full Session: Which to choose?
Pick a Mini session if…
- Great for Holiday sessions & if you only want a few updating family pics
- Good for professional headshots
- Perfect for older kids and adults. Small groups.
- Limited budget but still want great photos
- If you’re okay with only one background or setup
Full Session If…
- Great for sessions with small children and pets, since an hour-long session gives more time for them to feel comfortable and relaxed.
- Best option for large families you may want to make it 2 hours if you have a very large family and want group photos along with immediate family photos.
- If you want a newborn session a full 1 or 2 hour is the best option to allow time for feedings.
- If you care more about a mixture of posed and candid photos.
- More control over your session and make it personal with multiple outfits & locations
Want to know when my next mini portrait sale runs? Check out my newly-relaunched Facebook Lounge! Here, you’ll find my latest promotions, sales, and booking times. Plus — you’ll get the VIP treatment and jump the line for all my mini portrait sessions. Click here to join.