Mini mini Everywhere!!
If you have not already noticed, photography mini's are all the rage! Choices abound when it comes to the modern day mini session, and it seems like every photographer is offering them... So what is it about the mini session that makes it so appealing to both photographers and clients alike?
Unlike their name may suggest, a lot!!
Living in a Social Media world...
I have the deepest love of, and appreciation for the 'selfie'. In fact, I proudly consider myself the biggest selfie enthusiast out there! It's the perfect tool to document life's adventures. However, I will be the first to admit, that when it comes to the FB profile pic I love to change it often and sometimes... ya just gotta step it up!! This is where the industry hero, the mini session comes in.
The mini is a cheap option to updating profile pictures across all social media sites, printing personalized Christmas Cards, or gifting a nice little wall canvas. And rather than a typical studio or outdoor portrait, you're getting a seasonal setup with just a little more pizzaz without sacrificing quality, for roughly half the cost of a basic level portrait package!! Those selfies on my Iphone 13, just don't compare the velvety quality of my beloved Nikon Z 85mm (insert heard googly eye emoji here)!!
Short Attention Spans....
Although the mini draws the interest of all types of people and families, I find that the majority of those partaking in the mini sessions are parents with children. Mini's are quick little sessions at a discounted rate. The photographer has already determined the setting and corresponding props and will schedule back to back sessions with varying poses, often 4-15 sessions in a single day! This is helpful for the parents of littles that lack the attention span to sit for the typical 1 hr portrait sessions, making the attractive 15-20 minute duration ideal for so many. Trust me, as a mom of five I know all how it feels to struggle with a hungry toddler only half way in to a session... They get pouty, mom and dad get testy... it doesn't make for a great experience for anyone.
TRENDING & SEASONAL SETUPS
Let me warn you, mini slots can get competitive, so you'd better subscribe to mailing lists, follow your fav's on social media and be watching for announcements! Often times these are highly sought after and limited sell-out slots - especially if you're looking for a particular location or theme. In the Spring: Chicks and Bunnies, Mommy & Me, Puddle Jumping... In the Winter: Santa, Milk & Cookies, Pajama, and Christmas tree farms all come to mind.... and that's just to name a few!! Often the success of a mini session is simply because the of the rarity in some geographical locations... take snow mini's for example... snow in the southern Missouri is never guaranteed and a dusting just wont do!! Oh but when we get a good snow day.... the fun begins!!
What to Expect....
Fast turn around times - The mini was created to give the client the greatest value in a single static setting meaning that there will be one basic pose with a variation or two. This assures the photographer fast and easy editing, and typically allows you to receive your photos in just a few days!
Reduced portrait package sizes - Depending on the photographer and what their typical full size packages offer, you can expect that the mini gallery will be a fixed predetermined number of portraits returned. For example, many photographers basic package may offer a 1 hour shoot with 20 lightly edited images, but that same photographer offering a 20 minute mini session may only produce 3-5 lightly edited images. The value of the full package is the magic of the fleeting moments.... Consider the mini a sneak peek into the photographer's work. They are going to leave you wanting more!
What you Shouldn't expect...
Candid Photos.... Whether it's a brotherly dog pile, a tickle fest, an unexpected smooch on the cheek, a game of peek-a-boo behind a curtain, these special moments are reserved for full portrait session. If this is something that you would like to see from your photo session, the mini is not for you and you should be looking for a full portrait session.
A full gallery - a photo of every pose... detail shots. Again, the value in the mini session for the client is the reduced rate with specialty setups. Quick turnaround is what makes the mini profitable for your photographer.
Subscribe!!
Here's the great thing about the mini and the personal style that each photographer brings to the table.... the mini session can be grand with professional backdrops, decked out Santa costumes and fully furnished with an ornate sleigh, or it can be beautifully simplistic with a family bundled up in their toboggan caps, mittens and coats in the freshly falling snow. The set up is designed to cater to the season or specific holiday and although the final gallery will offer fewer images than a full session, the client is guaranteed a photo experience that is unique and reflective of their chosen photographer's personal style. So go out and research, and follow your favorite photog's!! You'll have to be fast to secure a coveted session!!
