Minis. These are an age old debate among the photography community.

“Should I hold minis? Should I not ever offer them? Will people book them?”

On our end, minis are SO stressful. Usually, we try to pack them all into one day, in small time limits, attempting to cater to each client and budget. I’ve done it, and let me tell you. I was exhausted, exasperated, and honestly so stressed that I said the words “I’m never doing minis again” ….until I did minis again.

 

Why am I telling you this? Because I want to talk to you a little about why you should go ahead and book the full session over minis. This is not to tell you minis are bad, 9/10 times, they run fairly smoothly and you get some great pictures on a steal of a price when offered, BUT they do come at a cost.

 

By booking a mini session, what you could possibly experience is a factory like photo session. Like I said, minis are stressful and if packed into one day, could run smoothly or really, really terribly. It is hard to cater to each client when there are 20 lined up in a row, especially if you get one or two less than ideal clients. 15, 20, even 30 minute sessions aren’t really enough to get to know each other, relax, and take pictures of you having fun. Sometimes another client will come in early just when you were feeling relaxed, but now with someone watching (10 minutes before their time), you’ve turned into an awkward plank again.

Engagements and Anniversary Sessions

Engagements and Anniversary sessions should not, I repeat, SHOULD NOT EVER be done in a mini session. That is simply not enough time to capture your love and relationship with one another. I like to take a little time to talk with you, warm up, relax, tell some crappy jokes, see how you work together, and then slowly slide into your session. If you booked a mini, we would have to skip the first 5 “steps” to get you comfortable in the picture taking process. When you book a full session, you get your photographer’s FULL attention. We can see the way you smile when your lover says something silly to you, the way they crinkle their nose when you tickle their ear, the small details become the big details. We aren’t rushed, we’re relaxed, and we can help you relax. If the session runs over, it’s not such a big deal. There won’t be someone standing there stomping their foot and looking at their watch, or even telling you it’s their time (which has happened before, made my jaw drop) and yours is now over.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another perk (or two) to booking a full session is getting more than one location/outfit. It’s nice to have more than one look to choose from. Personally, I absolutely love the variety that comes with a session split between a nature spot and the hustle and bustle of downtown OKC. Even a hike through nature at different locations close together. If there’s one thing Oklahoma has down, it’s random variety. Wichita Wildlife Refuge, am I right? Mountains, fields, trees, even little waterfalls. You definitely can’t get all that in a mini session.

Families and Children

For families on a budget (or if you love having pictures done frequently), however, minis are a great option. This is a great way to get an updated family, a few cute snaps of your kids, maybe some of you and your spouse if time allows. Less ideal, in my personal experience, is using a mini session for just a small child. Kids are fickle. Sometimes, they’re a dream, cheesing it up and having the best time. Others…you might envision your child as Chucky (assuming I’m referencing this right since you know…I’ve never actually seen the movie).

Kids have a mind of their own and if the day/time of your mini they decide they aren’t having it…you’re not getting pictures, mom. As a photographer, and a mom, there’s only so much one can do with an uncooperative child. I’ve worked with hundreds of children over the years, and trust me when I say, if a kid doesn’t want to take pictures, PICTURES AREN’T HAPPENING.

 

 

 

My main point here is minis are good for specific things. They are good for family sessions and kids who you KNOW will be great the whole time. If you know your kid’s demeanor is like Oklahoma spring weather, maybe skip the minis and save to book a full session. Then you have that extra time buffer (and possibly a reschedule date if needed) when or if they decide to have a mini meltdown. Engagements? 10 year anniversary coming up? Book the full session, trust me, it’s worth it. We want to capture your real, authentic love, and I feel the best way to do that is spend a little extra time together, getting cozy and learning the little things that make you laugh and feel like your best self. Until next time, friends!

 

-Lauren B.