SHOULD I GO WITH A MINI SESSION OR A FULL SESSION?
What is a Mini Session?
A mini session is a short, focused photo session — ours is 15 minutes — designed to capture a small collection of beautiful images in a streamlined way.
Best for:
• Quick seasonal updates (e.g. holiday cards)
• Busy families with limited time and budgets
• Families with 6 or few members
• Families with young kids or short attention spans
Mini sessions are often scheduled on set dates and locations chosen by the photographer, so they’re not as customizable — but they are usually more budget-friendly.
This year, we're offering mini sessions at a variety of locations, from golden sand and ocean breezes at Salt Creek Beach, to a whimsical, lush creek at Santiago Oaks and towering redwood trees with dappled light at Carbon Canyon. Our minis will be announced this week, so stay tuned!
What is a Full Session?
A full session is a complete, personalized photography experience — we offer them in 60 minute or 90 minutes — allowing more time for variety and relaxed, candid moments.
Best for:
• Annual family portraits
• Families who want a specific location or date
• Capturing a specific vision for your family's story and style
• More candid captures
• Variety of looks (optional outfit change)
• Variety of settings (optional location change— 90 min session only)
• Large or extended families (6+ people)
• Families who want to include pets
• Families who value a relaxed, unhurried experience
A full session gives kids time to warm up, and parents can relax knowing we'll have time to capture a wide range of beautiful images.
If you’re looking for an Orange County family photographer, I’d be happy to help you create photos that feel like you.
If you’re planning your next family photos, one of the first choices you’ll face is whether to book a mini session or a full session. As an OC family photographer, I often get asked which is better — and the truth is, it depends on your needs, your vision, and even your kids’ personalities.
We’ll break down the differences so you can confidently choose what’s best for your family. If you're searching for an Orange County family photographer, this comparison will help you make the most of your investment.
Whether you choose a mini session or a full session, both are great options for capturing your family’s story. The choice really comes down to how much variety you want, how much time you have, and your vision for the final gallery.