Virginia Beach Mini Session or Full Session: Which is Right for Your Family?

As a mama of four myself, I know how busy you are and also that each family has different wants and needs, so that’s exactly why I offer both Virginia Beach mini sessions and full sessions. Clients often ask which session would fit them best and my hope is that by walking you through the differences in this blog post, you can decide which session would (currently) be the best one for you!

Looking for tips on whether to book a Virginia Beach mini session or full session?

Sharing the differences below:

What is a Virginia Beach mini session?

A Virginia Beach mini session is short, sweet, and simple. It typically lasts between ten and twenty minutes and is scheduled the same day as other mini sessions, with about five minutes in between each session. I choose the location (carefully and with intention!) and also the date(s) in advance. These are typically scheduled throughout the year and also with different seasons or holidays in mind. I announce these to my email subscribers first (you can join that list here!).

A mini session would be a good option for you if:

• You just want a small amount of key photos. I offer two packages with my mini sessions and both have a smaller amount of photos than my full sessions. Since there is less time to shoot, there are typically less photos, but this may be all you are looking for at this time!
• You are looking for less of an investment. Since mini sessions are shorter and the location is determined, there is less of an investment for these sessions.
• You love a seasonal theme or set-up. I offer mini sessions throughout the year at different seasonal locations and in my natural lit studio with various holiday set-ups, including at both Christmas and Mother’s Day.
• You are worried about the attention spans of your kids. I absolutely get being worried about how long your kids will “last” during a photo session. While I always assure all my clients that I have tricks that will help with capturing your kids during any photo session, I certainly understand wanting a shorter session for this reason, especially during specific seasons of life!

What is a Virginia Beach full session?

A Virginia Beach full session is a session dedicated to your family ONLY, for up to 60 minutes of shooting time. These sessions are slower and typically more relaxed as there is more time for the kids to “warm up” or take a snack break if needed. Full sessions generally result in more candid moments and connection in the images since there is more time to capture that.

With full sessions, you also have the freedom to pick your date and location from my available options. Full sessions clients are given access to my client closet, a curated collection of dresses for mamas that photograph beautifully.

A full session would be a good option for you if:

• You are looking for a more relaxed and personalized experience. Full sessions provide more time and personalization. During the session, there is plenty of time to capture genuine connection – and if your kids have a meltdown or need some time to take a break, it’s not a problem because there is ample time for shooting.
• You have a specific location or vision in mind. Full session clients have the ability to choose any option on the list of suggested locations in the guide provided during the booking process! Many clients have a vision (which I love!) for their final photos and the location certainly plays a part in that.
• You want a variety of poses and groupings. Full sessions provide more time and more photos. We are able to get even more creative and get more of those candid images.
• You would like to include extended family. Many of my clients (especially the vacationing ones!) are interested in including the extended family in the photos. Mini sessions are for immediate family members only because of the nature of how fast the session is, where as I provide a full session option with extended family.

In conclusion, you know your family best and would option would work best for you! Whichever session you choose my goal is always the same: to provide you with a fun experience that captures your family with a final gallery of images that I hope you will treasure for years to come. If you are interested in chatting, you can inquire here or email me at ashleybricknerphoto@gmail.com. I hope to get the opportunity to work with you!

If you liked this post, you may also like these below:

What Time of Day is Best for Photos?

Tips for Family Photos with Kids