How to determine if a mini session or full session is right for you with your favorite Winston Salem Family Photographer !
Ok y’all, today I wanted to sit down and walk you through a few pros and cons of booking either Mini Sessions or Full Sessions for your family! By the way, if this is your first time finding my blog, my name is Morgan! I am a Winston Salem, NC photographer happy to capture your family at all stages!
So first things first: what’s the difference between a mini session and a full session?
Mini sessions are short and sweet, usually 10 to 20 minutes long. These are planned seasonally, with a limited number of time slots and a limited number of final images.
Full sessions, on the other hand, are available all year round. These typically last 45 minutes to an hour (and if you know me, I usually go a little over! 😄). They include a lot more photos, more variety, and more time to settle in and enjoy the experience.
Pros of Mini Sessions:
✨ Short + simple.
✨ Updated portraits without a big time commitment.
✨ Perfect for busy families who just need “the basics.”
In my mini sessions, I always aim to get at least three variations of what I call The Classic photo. The Classic is the smiling, posed, everyone looking at the camera photo. You know, the one you will put as a your facebook profile picture! I also try to include individual shots of each child and sibling sets too! These are the moments most moms are really hoping to walk away with. I’ve designed my minis with that in mind.
Cons of Mini Sessions:
⏳ Short time = less wiggle room.
📸 Limited number of delivered images (you can always upgrade to get more!).
😬 Not ideal if your child needs time to warm up or is having a rough day.
If your little ones tend to take a while to open up, or if you know someone in your family doesn’t love being on camera, a full session might serve you better!
Pros of Full Sessions:
🕰️ More time = more connection.
💡 Room for creativity and personality to shine.
📷 Tons of variety (and combinations) in your gallery.
Whether it’s a family, maternity, lifestyle newborn, or extended family session, full sessions allow us to capture all the combinations and details. More time also means getting more comfortable. This is for you, your kids, and for me to really get to know you. That’s where the real magic happens.
Cons of Full Sessions:
Honestly? Not many. 😊
The biggest challenge I’ve seen is if someone in the family really dreads photos or a child has a very short attention span. Even then, I’m always working to keep things light, moving quickly, and fun for everyone!
Here’s what’s always true no matter what you book:
✨ I will plan your session with care.
✨ I’ll show up ready to connect and fully present.
✨ I’ll guide you the whole way and make it as fun as possible!
✨ I’ll deliver photos that reflect your real, beautiful story—with heartfelt intention and consistency.
I would love to chat with you about your next session with me here! Or if you would like to check out my instagram first and say hey to me there, check it out here!
Whether you choose a mini session or a full session, I want you to walk away with images you love. You know- the kind of photos you look back on for years to come with a smile on your face and a fuzzy feeling in your heart! (Yeah that sounds kinda cheesy, but there’s nothing wrong with that! lol) You truly can’t go wrong. Every session is an opportunity to create something meaningful together, and I’d be honored to do that with you.
💕 With Love,
Morgan
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