1. Your Why
Because why bother taking photos at all if you don’t know why you’re doing it?
If your goal is to document all the seasons of your life and book a few times a year (because your baby at 2 months is a completely different person at 8 months), mini sessions are the obvious choice.
If your goal is to capture your family’s essence - who you guys are as a whole, who each of your littles are as individuals, how your lives intertwine with one another, a full session might be the better option.
2. Personality
You know your kiddos best, so lean into that because following your mother’s intuition is always a good place to start.
If you know your children are quick to adapt, warms up easily to a stranger (hi, it’s me!) or loves being in front of the camera, a mini session shouldn’t be a problem at all.
If your child is on the shyer side of things, needs a little longer to warm up to new situations and new prople or might need some time to settle or feed*, a full session is the way to go.
3. Your Vision
Are you looking for a handful of images that represent who your family is in a particular season? Or are you looking for all the little details, the in-between moments you didn’t know were happening, the way your children goof off while nobody’s looking?
I don’t believe that mini sessions can’t capture genuine emotion, it absolutely can. But it does lack what a full session has - time. And oh is there magic in slowing down and giving people space to let down their guards and invite me in to capture their true selves.
4. Deliverables
This is straight forwards - a mini session usually gives you 5-25 images whereas a full session gives you anywhere from 50-100 images. Obviously with more images, there’s more options - variations in groupings, poses, locations, etc.
There’s no right or wrong here, it just depends what you’re looking for!
5. Budget
This is also self explanatory - a mini session is generally more affordable per session and a full session is more expensive. But I wouldn’t necessarily think about it that way.
As a somewhat budget conscious person, I actually think about my entire year and consider what moments/
seasons/special occasions, I want to budget for. Do I want to save up for one big family session for this year? Do I want to document my new pregnancy, my daughter’s birthday and this holiday season?
Budgeting is so important and such a real part of life, idk why nobody talks about it in the photography world! I'd rather you find a way to document your family that feels sustainable for your life and budget than feel like you have to wait until you can afford the 'perfect' session.
6. Flexibility
How much freedom do you want in planning your session?
Mini sessions are designed to be simple. The date, time, and location are predetermined, so all you have to do is show up and enjoy the experience.
A full session gives us more room to make things your own. Want to document your family at home, in your favourite park, or somewhere that holds special meaning to you? A full session gives us more flexibility to do that.
If you love the simplicity of showing up and letting things happen, a mini might be perfect. If you have something specific in mind, a full session might be better.
As a Vancouver family photographer, I've photographed hundreds of full sessions and even more mini sessions so I know a little about the pros and cons to each. Whether you've been meaning to get newborn photography or maternity photography or even just because, keep reading to find out which type of session is best for you and your family.
So, should you book a mini session or a full session?
Here's a simple way to think about it.
A mini session may be right for you if:
- You want a few updated family portraits.
- You prefer a shorter, more straightforward experience.
- You have a specific goal and don't need a large gallery.
- You want a more budget-friendly way to document your family.
A full session may be right for you if:
- You want a more complete story of your family.
- You would appreciate extra time and flexibility.
- You want a wider variety of photographs and interactions.
- You're documenting a meaningful season, such as welcoming a baby or watching your children grow.
And if you're still unsure, that's okay. You don't have to choose the longest session to prove that your memories matter, and you don't have to settle for a mini session if you know you'll want more time.
Looking for a Vancouver family photographer? Whether you're considering a mini session or a full family photography session, my goal is to create photographs that feel natural, intimate and true to your family.
I love preserving the little details, the honest moments and the connections that make this season yours — whether that happens in a handful of photographs or a fuller collection.
If you're ready to document your family, explore my work or get in touch if you're unsure which experience would be the best fit.
You don't need a special occasion to remember your family as they are today. You just need to decide how you'd like to remember them.
