NO 2027 FALL MINI SESSIONS: Here's WHY
It's so tempting to have AI write this and list out in a pretty, organized way why mini sessions are NOT the best option for your family but here I go from the heart - my own experience as a family photographer for over 10 years as to why you should avoid minis for next year and why I will no longer offer them, even if it hurts my business.
It's been a mental and emotional battle in determining if I want to end the days of offering mini sessions and especially Fall Mini Sessions here in Portland, Oregon because I always have a lot of fun and I love my fall mini families.
Let's face it: fall minis bring in new clients every year who might not want to invest into a full session for someone they don't know yet. And I completely get it. Also, parents are worried about their kids not lasting longer than 10 minutes anyway so why pay more for unnecessary time? Again, I hear you fellow toddler moms!!
But let me tell you WHY mini sessions are not always the best option. Actually, I'll start with who they ARE good for and then go from there because that will give insight in where I'm coming from:
Mini sessions are GREAT options for families who want posed photos. Kids and adults alike don't want to force a smile for an hour until their faces hurt. And NO shame in them - there is value in these and we all need them. But unless it's an extended family - short sessions are a great option for this style of photography.
Mini sessions are GREAT for those who just need a few good photos for their holiday card. Why pay for a full session when you only need one really good photo for a card, am I right?
Mini sessions are GREAT for families with older children and don't need a lot of time to warm up to strangers.
Okay, so then Who are Mini Sessions NOT good for?
Well, first, let me start by saying I am a lifestyle photographer and usually for families with young children.
This means that your images are more story based and non-posed images of your evening together snuggling, hugging, playing, and interacting with one another. If we cram that into 10 or 20 minutes, that's not a lot of time for everyone to warm up and start feeling comfortable with a camera in your face, and be in the moment with your children and to show your authentic personality.
My whole brand is wrapped around the idea of being in the moment with your children because that's where the magic and connection happens and where you start getting emotive and authentic images. And that right there is the heart and soul of my decision. Yes, it is certainly possible to get authentic moments during a mini session but it's harder and feels more forced, especially if your kids (or parents) take awhile to warm up to the camera.
But My Kids! They Won't Last That Long!
I get it - you're worried your kids won't last longer than 10 minutes. We've all been there, myself included. And it's true for a lot of things - church, grocery stores, etc.
BUT these photo sessions are more like playing at the park than forcing them to sit still, be quiet and smile. And if you have high energy children - I actually find that the LONGER the session the better because it gives them time to get the wiggles out, play, explore, and you guys have more opportunities to regroup, relax and cuddle after their energy is spent, even just a moment.
I've found that the less stressed everyone is, the more your kids behave and actually WANT to be there. Think about this: when you are rushing your kids to get ready to leave the house, do they do better with you stressing and rushing or when you're calm, silly and relaxed? If rushing is better, then mini sessions just might be great for you! But in my experience, kids are more relaxed when parents are relaxed. Same goes for these sessions.
These sessions are all about having quality time with one other - something our society is greatly lacking in with one thousand distractions - all justified in many ways - but children still crave your one-on-one attention and these sessions naturally allow time for just that.
The Photographer Has Time to Chill & Get Creative
This is a big one for me. I need time to warm up as well. Time to get to know your family's personality. Time to step back and see moments from different angles. That's where creativity comes in. I can't speak for other photographers, and maybe wedding photographers especially don't have this issue, but I like to give families a prompt to interact with one another, then step back and capture those moments in unique and creative ways. It's harder to do that when rushing and getting all the images in time before the next family after you arrives.
"My Anxiety Doesn't Handle Mini Sessions Well"
I recently had a (full session) client tell me that they have tried doing fall mini sessions but they found that their family never had time to just relax into the shoot. "The best shots are when we are all comfortable and relaxed," this mama said. And it's so true. Often times, I've seen it enough anyway, that the best images are at the very end of the session and we're on our way back to the parking lot. The pressure is off, the kids had fun and are tired and snuggly, and everyone is relaxed. And the images reflect that.
So to sum up, I'm not saying mini sessions are horrible and no one should do them BUT I want you to start thinking about what exactly you're wanting (and fearing) from these sessions and really determine which is the best fit for your family.
A Tailored Session Just for You
And lastly, I don't want your session to feel like every other family's session. This is YOUR family and YOUR story. I want to be able to slow down or speed up based on your family's needs, not what the clock says. Also, I don't want to rush through poses & prompts just to get them done like you're in a factory line and I don't know anything about you guys. Photography is a service, yes, but it's also an art and a piece of the photographer and how they view you and the world are wrapped up in your session. This requires time spent together.
What Will I Offer Instead?
Because I know mini sessions are a great, lower risk, way in seeing how sessions go with your children and photographer, before investing more into a full session.
In 2027, for a couple times a year, I'll be offering what I'll call "Short Story" Sessions - they will NOT be as short as mini sessions for all the reasons I just said, more like 30-45 min (instead of 10-20 min) and will have a lower entry price with the option to upgrade your gallery after seeing your final images. The catch is they will be closer to my home near Sandy, Oregon (one location in Happy Valley and another in Estacada) and I'll only offer a couple slots per evening so that each client can experience golden hour or closer to it and each family has time to relax into their session.
So stay tuned for these type of sessions and I hope to see you there. I think they'll be a good compromise between mini sessions and the ideal full sessions.
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