Fall Mini Sessions vs. Full Sessions.. What’s Right for You?

Fall Mini Sessions vs. Full Sessions.. What’s Right for You?

Fall is hands-down one of the most popular times of year for family photos. Cooler weather, golden light, and those dreamy autumn colors. If you’re considering booking a fall family session, you’ve likely seen the terms “mini session”and “full session” pop up. But what’s the difference? And how do you know which one is right for your family?

Here’s a breakdown to help you decide!

What is a Fall Mini Session?

A mini session is a short, simplified version of a full photo session, perfect for families who want a few beautiful images without the time (or investment) of a longer shoot.

Here’s what’s typically included in my fall mini sessions:

• 15–20 minutes of shooting time

• A curated location with beautiful fall scenery

• 6 high-resolution, professionally edited images (with upgrade options)

• A specific date and time slot

Mini sessions are offered on select days only and are scheduled back-to-back with other families, so timing is tight—but the results are still amazing!

Perfect for:

• Families with young kids who may not last long

• Families just needing a quick photo update

• Holiday card photos

• Budget-conscious clients who still want professional images

What is a Full Session?

A full session is a more relaxed, personalized experience. We take our time, explore more posing options, and capture both posed portraits and authentic, candid moments.

What’s included in a full family session:

• Up to 1 hour of shooting time

• A flexible date and custom location of your choice

• Outfit changes if desired

• 8–40+ high-resolution images, depending on your chosen package

• A gallery that truly tells the story of your family

Perfect for:

• Families who want a full storytelling experience

• Sessions with multiple generations or extended family

• Those who want more variety, outfit changes, or custom touches

• Kids who need more time to warm up

So… Which One Is Right for You?

There’s no “wrong” choice. It is really all about what is important to you for your session!

If you're mainly looking for a few updated portraits for your holiday cards, or you know your kids won’t last longer than 15 minutes, a mini session might be the perfect fit.

But if you’re dreaming of a custom, relaxed session with more variety (and more images to print or hang on your walls), a full session offers more flexibility and creative freedom.

Ready to Book?

Fall spots fill up fast, especially for mini sessions! If you're not sure which type of session fits your needs, I’m happy to chat and guide you toward the best fit for your family.

My fall calendar for mini and full sessions will be released THIS weekend! Follow me on Instagram or Facebook for updates.

Let’s make some fall magic together! 🍂

Preparing for your Fall Family Photos with Erika Venci Photography

Fall in Ohio for photographers is definitely our “busy season”. We experience double, maybe even triple the volume of family sessions.

Why? Fall weather, fall colors, Holiday cards, etc. It just seems to be the time of year that everyone wants their photos to be taken. As for myself, I prefer summer wardrobes and flowers but I will save those details for another blog post :)

This blog is all about preparing for your fall family photo session.

1. Book in advance

   My fall calendar has been filled as early as July! If there is a photographer you love and have in mind for photos, it is never too early to email them to reserve your session date. If you want to use your photos for Holiday cards, it is best to book your session before Halloween. This allows enough time for editing of your photos and ordering of your Holiday cards.

2. PlaN your wardrobe

   A great way to start your wardrobe planning is to select a “must-have” outfit. This is usually a dress for mom or an adorable dress or outfit for one of the kiddos. Once that item is selected, you can build the rest of the wardrobe based on coordinating colors and textiles. If you are planning on ordering items online, be sure to provide plenty of time for shipping. This year (2021) especially, as many people are experiencing shipping delays due to the pandemic.

   Please also keep in mind that Ohio weather can change rapidly. It is a great idea to double check the forecast for your session to ensure you (and especially your kids) will be warm enough during your session! Scarves, coats, cute hats, blankets.. I think it is adorable to see kids in cute hats and coats! Blanket scarves are great accessories for women as well since they are easy to take on and off and you can wrap you kiddos up in them for some cuddly photos. Key point: it is OK to dress for the elements for your photos! This takes us to the next bit of advice..

3. prepare for the elements

   A lot of my sessions take place in metro parks with grassy and sometimes muddy trails. I do not advise wearing high heels. I do advise that everyone wears shoes they can comfortably walk in.

   In the fall, avoid using a lot of hairspray and perfume as this attracts yellow jacket wasps.

   A few things to bring along: Baby wipes, an empty grocery bag, an extra outfit, and a towel in the car in case the kids get dirty. A hairbrush and some powder for makeup touch ups. Bobby pins for unruly hair. Water and not-messy snacks for the kids (or yourself!)

4. Well rested kids

   Try not to plan your session on the same day as a birthday party or a big family outing. Do your best to make sure your kids are in bed on time the night before and take a nap the day of. Tired kids usually do not want their photo taken.

   Bonus tip: If you have a sunset session and a toddler, try pushing their nap back a little bit if you are worried about the session being close to their bedtime.

5. Don’t worry, be happy!

   After weeks or sometimes months of planning, it can feel stressful when things aren’t going exactly as planned for your session. I totally understand this feeling. Maybe you were rushed to get out the door, late, or your kids are not happy. Try not to get hung up on little things going wrong.. it is bound to happen regardless of how much planning goes into a session. When you get stressed, your kids will know it and feed off of your energy.

   If you feel yourself getting stressed, acknowledge it, take a deep breath and try to move on. This is a time to be present and in the moment with your family.

   And after the session is a great time to treat yourself for all the work you put in to getting everyone ready! I like to do this by changing into comfy clothes immediately upon getting home and having an extra yummy dinner or grabbing some good takeout food :)

Lastly, please keep in mind that it is busy season for us photographers. Some of us are still dealing with pandemic stressors, and some of us are just overwhelmed this time of year. A little extra kindness toward your photographer can go a long way in showing your appreciation for all of their hard work! We love what we do and we absolutely still love this time of year, despite the stress (at least I do!).

I hope these bits of advice are helpful!

Happy Fall, Everyone!

Erika