Mini Session Photography: What to Expect in a 30min Session? (2024)

Mini Photoshoot: What to Expect in a 30 Minute Photography Session?

Thinking of booking a 30-minute mini photography session? These affordable, short & sweet photo sessions are the easiest to squeeze into your busy schedule… but are they worth it? Depending on your group size and the occasion, it may or may not be a good idea. Read on to see if a mini photoshoot is the right fit for you!

What is a mini photoshoot?

A mini photoshoot is basically a short photo session. A normal photoshoot usually lasts 1-2 hours, covers multiple locations, and the photographer delivers dozens of photos to choose from. Mini photoshoots, on the other hand, last only 30 minutes and include a smaller number of edited photos for you to choose from. They’re extremely popular due to their lower price point which makes professional photography sessions more accessible to everyone!

Why book mini session photography?

1. It is affordable, so you can get one done every year with no regrets.
2. They’re short, so they’re easy on you and your busy schedule.
3. They are just plain fun.

Learn More About Mini Session Photography

What is the size of your group?

Who didn’t jump on cue?! 🙈🤣

A mini photoshoot works great for solo travelers or couples that want some quick snapshots. If your group photoshoot will have more than 3 people, we recommend a longer photoshoot session so that everyone can get a nice selection of photos to choose from.

For example, a 1-hour photoshoot might work well for a group of 4 but would be too short for a group of 8 or 10. Large group photoshoot sessions tend to be more difficult for a single photographer to work with.

For this reason, we suggest adding more time to allow your mini session photographer the time to direct everyone and make sure the essential group shots and the separate individual/couple shots are captured as well.

Family Portraits

Typically, family-of-3 photoshoots are usually fine with mini session photography, but family photoshootswith many generations or with small children do best with 1 hour to 90-minute packages.

That seems to be the sweet spot where families receive a beautiful gallery of many photos to choose from, and everyone is in a jolly good mood for the entire duration of the photoshoot session. Small children (and adults!) might get tired, fussy, cranky, hungry, and this can affect everyone else, which is ultimately reflected in the photos.

So take a moment to think about your gang, and gauge whether the 1-hour photoshoot or 1.5-hour option is best for the family portraits. If your group is 6 or more, we definitely recommend at least 1.5 hours.

Learn More About Family Photoshoots

Couple Photoshoot

So often a couple may think they only need a photographer if they’re engaged, getting married, or celebrating an anniversary. While those are definitely the main reasons to hire a professional photographer, mini photoshoots are perfect for capturing all the in-between moments in life, and they are affordable enough to say “why not?!”

“They are quick (which my husband loves) and so relaxed and fun. We end up with beautiful photos every single time, so we try to do one at least once a year!”

See Also

Do Wedding Photographers Give All Photos?

— Laura from Los Angeles

Learn More About Couple Photoshoots

Solo Photoshoot

Struggling to master the art of the selfie? Never fear! You can get some amazing photos when traveling alone by booking mini session photography.

A 30-minute photography session is usually perfect for solo portraits unless you have a bunch of photo spots in mind. Usually, we recommend 1-2 walkable locations for these shorter shoots, but multiple spots are possible with an hour shoot! It all depends on what you are looking for in your solo photoshoot.

Learn More About Solo Photoshoots

How many photos do you get in a mini photoshoot session?

A 1-hour photography session will provide you with a nice bunch of photos to browse through and choose your favorites to download, while a 30-minute photoshoot might not give the same variety. In a 30-minute photography session, you could get around 20 photos to choose between, whereas from a 1-hour shoot you should expect 40-50 pictures to look through.

Also, think about warm-up time! The first 10 minutes of a mini photography session usually involves some warm-up photos to get a sense of the flow of the photoshoot. The best photos will be towards the end of your 30-minute photoshoot because you are warmed up and the creative juices are flowing.

30 minutes might give you that one fantastic shot, but the more time you book for your photoshoot, the more opportunities you have for capturing those EPIC photos.

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30-Minute Photo Session Price

We all want a great deal. The 30-minute photo session prices are definitely the most affordable, so if you are on a tight budget it could be your best option for working a photoshoot into your plans. However, if you have a little bit of wiggle room we recommend booking a 1-hour photoshoot due to the extra photo locations and additional photos you’ll receive. A mini photo session package may cost less, but for only $50-$75 more you’ll receive double the photos, and you won’t feel as rushed!

Prices also vary by city, ensuring you the best rates possible. See mini session photography packages & pricing for your destination here.

See Mini Session Prices

What’s the occasion?

Celebrating something extra special? Go for a longer photoshoot, and maybe get a little dressed up!Booking a photo session just because? Maybe a mini photoshoot is perfect for you.

Think about tailoring your photoshoot to suit the occasion. Give a big life event it’s due! We usually recommend a minimum of 1 hour for any surprise marriage proposals due to the complexity of the planning and the added element of surprise. Some of our favorite occasions are:

• Fall mini sessions
• Christmas mini sessions
• Valentine’s Day mini sessions
• Easter mini photoshoot

How do I hire a photographer near me?

Browse through photographer portfolios in 200+ destinations to see who you think would be the best match to your vision. If you have any other questions, contact us for more information – we’d love to be there to capture your next travel story!

How do I schedule a mini photoshoot?

1. Request your dates to see who is available. Within 24-48 hours, we will let you know who is available so you can choose your favorite photographer.
2. Collaborate directly with your photographer to pick your favorite photo spots and the start time. Don’t sweat the details, as everything is flexible! Pick your preferred time of day and the mini photo session package at checkout.
3. Meet your local photographer, and then it’s all about having FUN during your shoot. Enjoy roaming the city while we capture your travel story with mini session photography!

BOOK A MINI Photoshoot!