Why Should I Pass on a Mini-session? | Boston Lifestyle Photography

Family Photos

Are mini-sessions the right fit for your family portrait session with Ryan Richardson Photography?

What is a mini-session?

Mini-sessions are bite-sized photography experiences. Typically 15-30 minutes long, these sessions are designed to offer clients a turn-key experience with Ryan Richardson Photography; all you have to do is pick a time during the shoot and then show up with a smile. So why wouldn’t you want a mini-session over the complete experience?

Lack of Flexibility - A full lifestyle photography can be a creative, fun, and collaborative experience. Typically you’ll have a lot of input into the structure of the session and plenty of time for us to talk about your vision and how I can help bring it to life. Mini-sessions are a lot more locked down. There’s one pre-selected location with a very narrow range of times, and if you’re not free that day or someone has snatched up the best time slots then you’re out of luck.

It’s Fast - Fifteen minutes can fly right by before you’ve even noticed. For some clients they’re only starting to get warmed up and energized in front of the camera by the time it’s already over. Mini-sessions also don’t leave a lot of room for exploration and experimentation, so typically we’ll just aim for a few easy crowd pleasing poses using the same lighting and sets. That’s not a problem if you’re looking for one Christmas card photo, but what if you want more?

It’s Impersonal - I like to think that I’m fun to be around no matter what, but structurally it’s hard to give mini-session clients as much attention or spend time building up a connection during the shoot. We also tend to talk less ahead of the event with mini-session clients since there’s no need for a consultation because the time, location, and theme have all been determined. There’s a little more contact after the event for image selection, sales, and proofing but it’s just not the same.

Mini-sessions are a particular tool in the photographer’s toolkit, and they might not be right for every client.

Are you interested in a mini-session with Ryan Richardson Photography? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with our schedule and see what we’re planning. If you’re interested in creating a custom-tailored experience, contact me today.

Ryan Richardson is a wedding and engagement photographer serving Boston and beyond; including Cape Cod Weddings, New England Weddings, Massachusetts Weddings and Rhode Island Weddings.