Hello,
A few weeks ago I did a post on mini sessions vs full sessions which was mainly from My View on Styled Mini Sessions as a photographer. Today I will jot down just a few Pros and Cons of Styled Mini Sessions as it may be perceived by clients. Please note: I am specifically referring to STYLED mini sessions and not just shorter versions of a usual session.
PREDETERMINED LOCATION & DATE(S):
Pro – The photographer will usually scout for and choose a location for the mini sessions. This takes a bit of the stress away from clients who feel indecisive about where they would like their session to take place. The photographer will have set dates for these sessions.
Con – You don’t have a say about location. It will be predetermined by the photographer well in advance of the session date. The photographer will also only set one or two days aside for these sessions to take place, and will probably not be able to rearrange these dates to suit individual needs.
TIME:
Pro – A mini session is usually a lot shorter than a full session, typically lasting between 15-20mins. This means that the husband will be happy as it won’t take up too much of his golfing or football time 😉 Toddlers may be happy to sit still for a few quick images (with a bit of a candy bribe sometimes) and will be free to run around to their heart’s desire in no time 😉
Con – There are specific time slots, and this needs to be strictly adhered to for a mini session to run smoothly. If you run late, you may have to wait for another slot (subject to availability), or you may not get your full time allocated for your slot.
Also, if your child takes a while to warm up to the camera, then a mini session may not be ideal as the session will almost certainly end just as soon as your little one is happy to be photographed.
Finally, with mini sessions there will be no time for any outfit changes or snack breaks.
THEME:
Pro – As shown in my examples above, mini sessions usually follow a theme e.g. Christmas/Autumn/Lavender Fields and will be setup accordingly prior to your arrival . You may or may not be able to choose from a prop or two to incorporate into your photos, however the setup as a whole (backdrop etc.) will be the choice of the photographer to suit their vision for the sessions. Having themes are great though, and is usually quite fun for the whole family and are great for holiday cards!
Con – It’s themed, which means it may work great for your holiday cards, but it may not be the main family portrait to go over your fireplace.
VALUE:
Pro – You will received maybe a few prints or digitals, even a small keepsake maybe for a fraction of the cost of a full photography session.
Con – You will receive less of the photographer’s time. Your session will not be tailored with just you and your family in mind, unlike a full photography session.
IMAGES & VARIETY:
Pro – Your gallery will usually only have up to 10 images to choose from. This makes it so much easier to select your favourite(s)!
Con – Although there may be less images and less confusion as to which ones to pick, the majority of the images from your mini session will look quite similar and will probably lack variety. Full sessions give a lot more variety with regards to outfits/props/location/backdrops and poses.
I hope you find this (non-extensive) list of pros & cons helpful in deciding on which type of session will suit you and your family the best!
x
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