Five things to consider before you book your Cornish photography mini session!

Have you ever thought of booking a mini photography session? Maybe you’ve felt enticed by the more ‘reasonable’ price advertised and love the idea of getting a few quick photos to update your family/baby portraits.

Mini sessions are a brilliant way to do this and well worth considering - if you love an artist’s portfolio this could be a way to work with them on a smaller budget.

However, there are a few things you may wish bearing in mind before you book in your Cornwall baby or family mini session.

What, exactly, is a mini session?

For me, mini sessions are like taster shoots. An appetizer or bite size sample what the full experience would be like. I usually run them for mothers day, Autumn and Christmas.

It’s a lovely opportunity to serve clients in Cornwall who have been following me for a while, and are curious about having a shoot with me. Also, a lot of my previous clients return for some updated photos so it’s a wonderful time for catching up and seeing how everyone has changed and grown!

Motherhood mini sessions are popular for Mother’s Day.

Mini sessions are designed to be short, simple, and uncomplicated, usually run by scheduling several clients back to back in the course of one or two set dates.

These short and sweet shoots give people access to my professional photography services in Cornwall without the luxuries of a full length session.

Mini session clients get a simplified version of the full experience. There is one set up or location chosen by me, a restricted amount of session time, and a deliberately small selection of photos to choose from.

Mini sessions are great if you really do just want a few photos, and are happy to forego the luxuries.

However, a mini session is not the best option for everyone! Sometimes it really is worth booking a full session instead.

With a mini session clients get a simplified version of the full experience.

One size does not fit all

Some ages and stages just aren’t suitable for the 15-20 minutes you’re allotted in a mini session. Wilful toddlers who want to explore and be on the move, as well as timid little ones who take a while to adapt to a new situation are likely to be tricky subjects.

Some people prefer a full-length session. For them, these photos are more than a quick update: they are an investment. This might be you. If so, you know you want to put more time, care and effort into really capturing what you feel and want to remember. A full-length session will give you far more in terms of the range and depth of the experience as well as the resulting images.

So what are the differences between a full-length and mini session?

If you’re still wondering how a mini session differs from a full length session (apart from the length of the session and pricing), read on for some examples.

1. Personalisation

I love to get to know my clients and work with them ahead of the session, planning details, discussing ideas, sharing visions for the shoot. Full length sessions are personalised and tailored around my clients’ requirements as much as possible. The more I get to know them through our pre-session consultation meeting and prep correspondence, the better I can serve them with unique and original ideas based on what I learn about them. It’s really lovely to plan a session around something meaningful to the family.

Mini sessions are more of a one-size-fits all - we don’t meet before the session and I don’t vary the session plan.

2. Client wardrobe & styling

Full session clients have access to my client wardrobe and are offered the opportunity to come to the studio prior to their shoot to try on clothes and discuss the styling of their session in detail. I give advice, tips and suggestions and in many cases will help source items that fit the aesthetic and vision for the session.

Mini session clients are sent a generic prep guide which will give them ideas and tips on what to wear so that they can get the most of out of their session.

For me, mini sessions are like taster shoots. An appetizer or bite size sample what the full meal would be like.

3. Session length

It goes without saying that you get a longer session with the full length option. The benefit of this is that everyone has time to warm up, which for some is absolutely a necessity.

Most little ones don’t just hop in front of the camera and start showing off their lovely personality straight away, but in most cases they soon start to engage with me and relax.

While it’s normal to need a bit of time to warm up and get into the session, sometimes it’s not enough. For some children the session finishes before we can get any shots.

Mini sessions are therefore not ideal for babies going through separation anxiety phases, stranger-weary or spirited toddlers.

Full length sessions do allow plenty of warm up time, with gentle ways to ease in to the session without any feeling of pressure. I am better able to establish that essential rapport with hesitant kids so that by the end I can get photos of the smile you know and love (not the ‘cheese’ face!).

4. Candid shots & natural light

Mini sessions are generally more staged than my regular sessions. If we’re in the studio there is a good chance I will use my studio lighting rather than natural window light, and this means there is one place for my subject to go, and I shoot from one angle.

During a full length session I use more natural light which gives a lot more freedom of movement for both myself and my subjects - they can move around a bit more and we can try different things to get them engaged.

During a full length session there is time for playfulness and more creativity, and definitely more of an intention to capture plenty of candid photos so that your gallery is rich with variety and emotion.

5. In person viewing

If you have wanted photos for ages and have a vision of how you’d love you or your family to be captured, and are also interested in learning about how you can frame and display them, you’d really benefit from an in-person viewing session.

These happen about 2 weeks after a full session - we meet at the studio and you’re shown your images and I can then advise on what to choose, and go through wall art samples etc to help you choose the perfect size and frame / product type for your home.

With a mini session I send you an online gallery which is available for a limited time (between 2-7 days) and you can pick which photos you’d like to purchase. They are then sent for you to download and you can print them yourself.

While I totally get that this is more convenient, clients who come for the viewing at the studio have a much better overall experience and it can alleviate a lot of the stress involved in deciding what to get and how to print and frame your new photos.

Closing thought

Although it is a risk in any session whether children will co-operate, I hope parents will use their best judgement when booking in for a mini session, especially if it’s a child-focused one such as a Christmas mini photoshoot.

All that said, a mini shoot that goes well can result in a stunning selection - the more successful the shoot, the more you’ll have to choose from. Some of the success lies in knowing how to prepare, and making sure it’s the right thing for your child.

To book or get on the mailing list to be the first to hear about future mini sessions, get in touch - I’d love to hear from you!