Family mini sessions are everywhere. Especially in Metro Detroit during the fall and holiday seasons. You'll see photographers advertising 15-minute sessions, 20-minute sessions, special locations, limited dates, and beautiful seasonal setups. But are they actually worth it?
Sometimes yes. Sometimes absolutely not. It depends on what you're expecting.
When a Mini Session Makes Perfect Sense
A mini session is a great option if you want a handful of updated family photographs without committing to a full photography session.
Maybe you need photographs for holiday cards.
Maybe you don't want to spend time figuring out when, where, and what.
Maybe you simply want a few beautiful photographs of your family while your kids are little.
That's where minis can be fantastic.
The Biggest Advantage: They're Short
Let's face it. Fifteen minutes can feel much more manageable than an hour-long photography session when you have young children. A short session can also be ideal for kids who don't love being photographed. There's less time for them to become too distracted. And less time for parents to worry about whether everyone is cooperating (though, I personally never find that a problem!!)
Not to mention, for my personal sessions, I often host my mini sessions in premium locations where otherwise, the design would not be offered. You can be assured that they are curated to be a beautiful, timeless experience.
But Here's When I Wouldn't Choose a Mini
If you have a large extended family, a mini session probably isn't the best choice. Or if you want multiple outfits, multiple locations, lots of combinations of family members, or a large variety of photographs, you'll probably be happier with a full session.
Mini sessions are designed to be focused. They're not a condensed version of a two-hour photography experience. And that's a good thing!
Why Mini Sessions Are So Popular in Metro-Detroit
Fall and Christmas might be the most popular season for family photography around Metro-Detroit. And so understandably so! Have you seen a Michigan fall? So many colors and the perfect crisp temperature. How about the snow in a cute family-owned tree farm?
The environment speaks for itself!
What Should You Wear?
This is probably the question I hear most often. My advice is simple:
Coordinate. Don't match. You don't need everyone wearing the same color. Instead, choose a small color palette and build outfits around it.
For example:
Cream
Tan
Brown
Rust
Muted green
Denim
Avoid putting everyone in identical white shirts and jeans unless that's genuinely your style. Your family should look like your family and be comfortable! Plus, this is the perfect season for layers too.
What Happens If My Kids Don't "Cooperate?"
This is another reason mini sessions can be intimidating for parents. “What if my toddler melts down and we only have 15 minutes?”
It happens. And it's okay! Kids don't know they're supposed to give you the perfect photograph for your Christmas card. Sometimes we get the posed photograph first. Then we let them move, play, dance, and get silly.
The goal isn't to force a child into behaving like a professional model. The goal is to create photographs that actually look like your family. You know your kiddos best and what will make them giggle.
So, Are Mini Sessions Worth It?
If you want a few updated family photographs, absolutely.
If you want a full storytelling session with lots of variety, time to relax into the experience, and a great bucket of images, I'd recommend a full family session instead.
Neither is better.
They're simply designed for different needs.
And if you're a busy Metro-Detroit parent who wants beautiful photographs of your family without spending your entire Saturday (totally exaggerating, but that's what a 60-90 minute session can feel like to a busy schedule) taking pictures, a mini session may be exactly what you're looking for.
Metro Detroit Family Mini Sessions
I offer family photography for families throughout the Metro-Detroit area, including Northville, Novi, Farmington, Plymouth, Livonia, Birmingham, Royal Oak, Brighton, Howell, South Lyon, and surrounding communities.
If you've been thinking, “We really need updated family pictures,” this might be your sign to stop putting it off. Check out what I have coming up below!
