High Desert Mini Sessions Look Like a Good Deal: Here’s What You’re Actually Getting by a Family Photographer
Close your eyes for a second and imagine this is the year you finally book those family photos you’ve been dreaming about.
You don’t know of any photographers, so you immediately head to Google to look for photographers in and around the High Desert area. You find quite a few from Apple Valley to Pinon Hills (where I’m located, past Phelan). You see two options that keep popping up: mini sessions and full sessions.
So, what’s the difference?
In a nutshell, Mini Sessions are cheaper. Full sessions are great, but they cost more.
However, you’re probably still wondering what the actual difference is, besides the price.
The answer isn’t as easy as “a quick 15-minute session vs. an hour-long or more.”
The perfect session type really depends on what you want, what stage of life your family is in, and, honestly, what will make you the happiest.
Don’t worry, this isn’t a sales pitch; I’m sharing facts about both so you can pick the one that works best for your family.
Let’s break it down.
Disclaimer: I don’t offer classic mini sessions. I do offer Santa photo sessions during the holidays, and those are similar to minis. I have also done homeschool photos, and those are sorta like a mini session on speed. I’m drawing on those experiences and sharing what my clients have told me about their own mini experiences.
Spring backdrop for kids photos.
What is a Mini Session:
A mini session is exactly what it sounds like: a shorter version of a full photography session, and without the perks.
It’s like a tasting, if you will.
Typically, they last about 15 - 25 minutes
Offered on one particular day at a predetermined location
You show up for your time slot, they take photos, and you’re done!
Oftentimes, she/he will have it decorated with a theme and set up like an assembly line
You sit, they click, click, click, and then yell “Next!”
Mini sessions usually include a small number of edited images in an online gallery (usually around 5- 20), and the price is low because the time is shorter and the setup is streamlined.
It’s very business-like.
They can often feel impersonal, like “Wham-bam-thank you, ma’am.” But, if you want a quick family photo for not a lot of money, they are great!
What makes minis great:
Super fast (less time spent on wrangling kids)
They’re budget-friendly if you’re not ready to invest in a full session, yet
Perfect for seasonal photos, like fall, holiday cards, or spring flowers
If your kids tend to lose patience after 5 minutes, a mini can work in your favor
Again, I don’t personally offer mini’s. But I know many photographers do. I’m very passionate about printing your images and connecting with people, and the thought of a mini just stresses me out.
However, Santa sessions are a bit similar to minis, and I do offer those. I show up to a church, school, or other event and set up a holiday background. I have a line of folks and take their photo. Everyone receives a printed image in a little frame. No digital-only files. Similar to the “Mall Santa” experience.
The smile I see on little faces when they get to walk away with a photo with Santa is priceless for me.
Recently, I have been thinking of offering holiday minis once my studio is up and running. So, I’ll check back in a few months to update this post.
If I do minis, I’ll set it up with a holiday theme and offer cards in sets of 25.
“Cookies and a hot cocoa bar with photos. ”
Meowy Christmas
What a Mini Session Isn’t
This can catch families off guard:
15 to 25 minutes isn't a lot of time, and there’s only so much we can do. That’s not a knock on minis. It’s just the reality of time.
With a mini session, you can’t pick different spots at the location or have multiple outfit changes.
If you or your toddler needs 10 minutes to warm up (they often do), that’s half the session, gone.
There’s less time to play, explore, and let those precious and candid connections happen organically.
You also don’t get variety in your photos. If you’re hoping for a mix of the whole family, sibling-only poses, individual portraits, mom and dad, and cute candids of the kids running wild, that’s a tall order for 20 minutes.
I usually toss the first half of portraits because it’s the warming-up period. Seriously. We’re all getting to know each other in the beginning. It can feel awkward at first.
I’m not exactly saying minis are bad (they work great for some). It just means they work best when you go in knowing what to expect.
I’ve had clients tell me that they felt too rushed. It was stressful because they wanted to get all the photos, but quickly ran out of time. The photographer made it seem like a grocery store conveyor belt. The kids were stressed, and Dad wasn’t happy.
Personally, when I do school portraits and Santa photos, it’s an assembly line. I like to ask the kids what they want for Christmas to get authentic smiles. For school photos, I have a few props for them to hold, and that gets them excited. But I miss the time it takes to connect and really get to know the child.
It always feels like a rush job because there’s a long line of kids waiting.
Silly kid posing for school portraits.
Here’s Why Full Sessions Feel Different
A full session is a completely different experience, and it’s not just because it’s longer or more expensive.
Think about the full session as a fancy restaurant, and a mini is fast food. A happy meal is great to serve its purpose. But sometimes it’s fun to get dressed up and enjoy a nice dinner and evening out.
With a full photo session (usually an hour or longer), we have time to actually play and settle in. Kids can run around, get comfortable with me, and relax. We can explore a location and the nearby areas, try different setups, and let things unfold naturally without anyone watching the clock.
Honestly, that extra time is where the magic happens!
Full sessions give you variety. More poses, more combinations, and more in-between candids that end up being your favorites, like the image below.
This was a sweet moment I captured after the session was over.
A Full Session is Customized to You
We plan the location together, whether you want outdoor, in my studio, or in your home for a lifestyle session. We decide the perfect timing for your family, outfits and colors, and make sure the session feels like it was tailored for your family specifically.
My sessions always begin with a consultation call where you tell me everything you want out of the session.
What do you plan on doing with your photos, and where will they be displayed in your home? If you want a large piece over the sofa or individuals of eeacho child for their bedroom wall.
I help you decide on outfits and choose your colors, and you get a style guide. Sessions can sometimes last up to 3 hours. Don’t freak out, though; those are usually for glamorous portraits that include hair and makeup or extended family sessions. I am simply stating I won’t ditch you after our “hour” is up.
At your ordering appointment, you see your images, and I help you decide on which images to print for wall art and what you want to go in an album.
Then, I order your artwork and hand-deliver everything to you.
I don’t send you an online gallery and wish you the best of luck. I hand-hold through the entire experience.
Which Type is Perfect for Your Family?
It depends on what you’re looking for, right?
A mini session is perfect if:
You want updated photos for holiday cards or a fall season photo
Your budget is tighter this year, but you still want professional photos
You’ve worked with that photographer before, and your family already knows the drill.
You have older children visiting and want a quick professional photo, nothing tailored
You only want digital images
You’re short on time, and the right mini fell in your lap.
A full session might be better if:
You want a variety of images, including family, sibling, and individual poses
Your kids are little and need extra time to feel comfortable
You want input on location, time of day, and help with the outfits
This is a milestone moment for your family, like a new baby, a big birthday, or your first professional family photos
You want the kind of photos that make you feel something when you look at them years from now. You smile at the photo on the wall because your kids still talk about that day.
You value photography and want large wall art displayed in your home. You want a professional who will take care of ordering and delivery for you.
Remember, there’s no wrong answer here! Both options give you beautiful photos.
The question is just how much time, variety, and personalization you want out of your experience. And what do you plan on doing with the photos?
If you can’t tell by my tone, I’m team full session all the way. Again, the idea of a mini stresses me out as a mom and a photographer. I want to go slow when getting my family photos done. My kids tend to goof off for the first 20 minutes anyway. My husband doesn’t want to be there. It’s a whole thing.
I value the time a photographer spends with my family.
And, as a photographer, I can serve you better with a full session. I want to get to know your family. Their quirks. Who is the joker of the family, vs. who’s the more serious one?
After photographing your family, I go home to edit all your images, and I get to relive the day.
I feel like a part of your family, even if it was just for an afternoon. I smile at the smiles. And, I remember their genuine laughs. I tear up as I remember the mom telling me she’s never felt more beautiful and thanking me for capturing her family.
It really is an experience. Not just for you, but for me as well.
Senior pictures with personality
I know full sessions aren’t for everyone, and neither is artwork for the home. There’s a photographer for everyone and a session type that works for each family.
I’m passionate about connections, and I want you to have beautiful portraits on your walls.
Whether you decide on a mini or a full session, the most important thing is that you book something!
If you’re still not sure which session is right for your family, send me a message.
We can chat, and I’ll help you weigh your options. I’m happy to help you figure it out with zero pressure, honestly.
Ready to book your High Desert Family Session? Click Here for More Information!
Want to learn more about what to expect during a family session? Read this: What to Wear for a Family Photo Session.
I hope that reading this post, High Desert Mini Sessions Look Like a Good Deal: Here’s What You’re Actually Getting by a Family Photographer has given you something new to think about! If you’re still looking for a High Desert Family Photographer, click here to see my portfolio of playful family images. My sessions are always fun and never stressful.
Cheers,
Annette
