Mini versus Regular
I start getting asked the question about "mini sessions" about this time of year...
We are definitely saturated with photographers in our area...wonderful, talented and sweet photographers...
I've met many of them and have not been disappointed!
Some choose to do mini sessions and some don't...some do digital files and some only offer prints...
the differences and similarities vary miles long...
Let me give you the "skinny" on my "philosophy" when it comes to photography and why I do what I do :)
The area in which I have chosen to specialize is within Families and Seniors...I have transitioned away from newborns in the typical sense so that I can further hone in on my families...thus bringing in that relationships/connection that I so strive for in my photography.
I'm a mom of 3 and I understand well the concept of getting hair and outfits coordinated and rushing one place or the other...
adding a photography session in the mix does bring with it a level of "stress"...
therefore, my theory is (as a mom AND a photographer)...if we're going to get dolled up anyway, we might as well make the most of it...make it an experience and a fun time together and get the very most we can out of the adventure!
My typical family sessions do not run longer than 45 minutes max...this is about how much time little ones can handle without needing snacks or naps or a dunk in the pool :) AND it's about how long tweens & teens can keep that sibling rivalry at bay with smiles :)
Along with that time allotment, my families typically receive upwards of 20-30+ images when it's all said and done...(this actually equals out to less than $8 per image) This is all completed for around the same or just a tad more in price than what other area photographers might offer for their mini-session pricetag.
However, my biggest love about family sessions is the story that is compiled afterwards...Looking at the images, I see the "story" of our time together...and it's worth all the dressing up and perhaps even the hassle...the images aren't just a handful, but an entire gallery...they have connection and laughter and a candidness to them, along with the posed pics for those Christmas cards in the winter...
In the end, there is the memory of an event...
there is story that is recorded...
there is a wall in your home that shows where your story begins...