As I started Genesis G Photography and began offering a variety of sessions, including mini and full sessions, I noticed that the general public does not understand the differences between the two beyond the price point. So, I thought why not blog about it, because I would never want someone to be dissatisfied due to having unrealistic expectations about their session of choice. 

Full Sessions

Full sessions are typically anywhere between 45min to two hours, usually newborn sessions are on the longer end of the spectrum. There's a lot of collaborative planning that goes into a full session including, styling, location, possibly props, day, and time. These sessions are personalized and unique for every client depending on their needs, preferences, and vision. Planning an engagement session will look very different from planning a family session of 12. 

Clients who book full sessions with me can count on emails and dms back and forth to ensure that we can create their vision. Together we agree on a date and time. As a natural light photographer, I depend highly on the sun, so the time for our session will revolve around lighting and location logistics. Together we agree on styling, potential use of props, and anything else that might be particular to the shoot. Most of my sessions are an hour in length, with the exception of newborns or special projects, and that is sufficient time for me capture a gallery of 40+ photos. 

A full session leaves clients with a personalized experience, lots of autonomy over the details, 40+ edited and high resolution images, and the ability to print these right from their gallery. 

Mini Sessions

Most photographers offer mini sessions a few times out of the year. This is an easy way to continue to engage past clients who may not want or need to invest in a full session. It's also a way to expand our clientele. 

Mini- sessions are easy and breezy for the client. There aren't many decisions to be made collaboratively, instead the photographer pre-determines the date, time, and location. Mini-sessions are not as personalized and the time ranges from 10-20 mins. This means there's only time for one look, a limit on the amount of people, and not a lot of diversity in backgrounds and poses. The use of props varies depending on the photographer's style, but usually time also limits how many props are used. 

I do try to make the final product feel special for all clients who book mini-sessions with me. I do this by allowing the clients to choose whether they want to bring their own props or not.  Also, choosing locations that are versatile. 

A mini session leaves clients with an easy and seamless experience, 5-10 edited images in high resolution, and the ability to print these right from their gallery. 

Which one to choose? 

Mini-sessions are ideal if you are in a very tight budget, don't want a ton of photos, have flexibility over the date, time, and location. I suggest mini-sessions for headshots, cake smashes, upgrading family photos, save the dates, pregnancy announcements, and holiday cards. 

Full-sessions are the right fit for you if you have more wiggle room in your budget and have the time to collaboratively plan your session. Also, if you want more looks , have a specific vision in mind, or want a full album's worth of photos. I suggest full-sessions for engagements, maternity, branding, extended family sessions. Newborn sessions are only done as a full session. 

Beyond Pricing 

Pricing is not the only difference, even if it seems to be the most glaring. Mini-sessions are created to be cost and time effective for both the photographer and the clients, this is why photographers call all the shots and book a bulk of sessions back to back. So don't be surprised, if you inquire about booking a mini-session on a random date, a la carte and I politely let you know it's not worth my time. It truly isn't. 

If in doubt, always inquire and discuss with your photographer of choice and they will be able to better guide you in selecting the session type that would best suit your needs. 

I love both mini and full sessions, I have so much fun doing both, yet they aren't the same experience.