Mini-Shoots, What Are They?
What’s the Difference? Which Option Is Best for Your Family, and Pricing/Length explained
Mini Family Photoshoots: What are they and are they for me?
Coming up to Christmas in particular, the photography world is abuzz with talk of mini-shoots. If you’re wondering what they are…in summary, it’s a short and sweet photoshoot that costs less. Sounds great? Yes and no. Mini-shoots have their pros, but there are some cons too.
If you’ve been thinking about booking a photo session but aren’t sure whether to go for a mini-shoot or a full session, it really comes down to your family’s ages, your schedule, and what kind of memories you want to capture. Let’s break it down!
What Is a Mini Session?
A mini shoot is a short, sweet version of a full photoshoot. Typically lasting less than 30 minutes, mini sessions are often offered on specific dates at a pre-chosen location. So Autumn mini-shoots, or Spring…..you get it! They’re fast-paced and focused and ideal if you:
Have already had a photoshoot in recent years and want a few updated family portraits
Love the look of a particular seasonal setup
Want beautiful photos at a lower price point and only want a small handful of photos
Are ok with the date and location to be chosen by the photographer
Are confident your family will be good with a quick and snappy photoshoot!
Mini sessions are designed for efficiency and its a great way to capture a few moments without committing to a full experience.
What Is a Full Session?
A full session is where we slow down and tell your story. These sessions last anywhere up to 1.5 hours, giving us space to explore, relax, and create more natural, connected images. Full sessions are perfect if you:
Want to choose your own date, location and timing
Love candid moments and variety in your gallery
Want to include extended family or multiple combinations (siblings, couples grandparents)
Have children who might take time to warm up and you want them to feel relaxed and themselves
Want a larger collection of photos to choose from and keep
A full shoot allows time for kids (and parents) to warm up. That’s when the genuine smiles, and laughter happen and speaking honestly some of my clients favourite photos have been taken towards the end of a full shoot experience. It’s a personalised photoshoot that captures your family exactly as you are.
So Which Should You Choose?
Book a mini session if you want a few updated portraits, are on a tight schedule, can handle a shorter session and you love themed seasonal shoots
Book a full session if you want to invest in a full experience, have more photos, want flexibility in date & location, you want time to relax on the photoshoot or if you are celebrating something special.
My Honest Thoughts
Mini sessions are great for quick updates, but full sessions are where we get the best variety of pictures. And you think you might end up buying more photos from a mini-shoot, then you might as well invest in the full shoot to begin with so you have the extended time.
However the choice is yours
I’ll soon be offering mini-shoot packages exclusively for returning clients, starting in 2026. If you’ve already had a photoshoot with me, your family might find it easier to slip back into the rhythm of a mini session, and it’s a lovely way to refresh your portraits each year. If you’re interested, reach out and I’ll add you to my mini-shoot list so you’ll be the first to know when bookings open.
Aoife
