When it comes to offering mini sessions there are several types of mini sessions you can offer as a photographer. In this blog, I’ve curated a list of ideas along with questions you should ask yourself before announcing your mini session themes.
Three Questions to Ask Yourself about Mini Sessions
One: Does the type of mini session you are offering serve your ideal client base?
If you are a wedding photographer, then it wouldn’t make sense for you to offer Santa minis to your clients. Remember mini sessions are a way for you to attract new clientele while making a little extra income during slower seasons of business.
Now, if you’re like me and are a maternity and newborn photographer, offering Santa mini sessions, does serve my clients. If you’ve followed me for awhile you may know that I only offer my mini sessions to past and current clients. Mini sessions are ways that I get to continue to serve each momma and their family as their little ones grow up.
Two: Do you want to include any props in your mini sessions?
I personally don’t use props when it comes to mini sessions. You can read why here, but I do know props can be a fun addition and add a unique take on specific themes. You’ll need to decide if you want to use props and if so, how are you going to effectively use them so they don’t become a distraction to the overall images.
Props can be anything from physical items to even animals (such as bunnies for Easter minis). Just be prepared because when it comes to props or backdrops, your time of each session will run longer than usual. Plus, you’ll need to charge a little bit more per session to counter the cost of your build and props.
Three: How many sessions and what time of year do you want to host mini sessions?
This will play a factor into the types of mini sessions you decide to offer as a photographer. Look at you calendar and see what lines up for you and your current bookings. You can read this blog as well on how to prepare for your 2022 mini sessions.
Types of Mini Sessions You Can Offer
Of course, this is only a short list as there are endless amounts of options and don’t ever limit your creativity.
Christmas-Themed Mini Session Ideas
• Hot Chocolate
Family sessions surrounded by the fire with hot chocolate
• Cookies + Milk
Kid session where they decorate cookies
• PJ minis
A personal favorite where families gather in matching pjs
• Santa
Geared to kids (or even pets!), Santa minis are always a great addition for Christmas cards
• Red Truck
Have an old fashioned red truck? Family photos in the tailgate are always a hit.
Holiday-Themed Mini Session Ideas
• New Years Eve
Grab your best girl friends, get dolled up and pop some champagne or confetti! I’ve seen where photographers will also get numbered balloons that correlate with the New Year date.
• Valentine’s Day
This can be for couples or even for families. One year I saw a “kissing booth” for moms and her little ones and it was adorable.
• Easter
Spring family mini sessions or as mentioned above you could include Easter baskets for the kids! Just be careful not to use bunnies, chicks, or other animals as props.
• Halloween
Halloween minis have become very popular over the past two years and there are countless ideas on how you can offer a “spooktacular” mini session theme
General-Themed Mini Session Ideas
• Mommy + Me
Mommy and me sessions are obviously personal favorites of mine, as well. You can also mix this up and offer Daddy/Daughter minis, etc.
• Grandparents
This is a neat mini session that also serves as a gift idea for family members that they can cherish
• Family
No explanation needed 😉
• Watermelon
This is a fun spring or summer mini session where, of course, watermelon serves as your photo prop
• Ice Cream
Again, another fun summer mini session idea where you can go to a local ice cream shop and get fun couple photos taken. It’s almost like a mini engagement session.
• Pet Minis
If you love working with fur babies (or not-so-furry babies), this is niche that you could offer as a photographer. People love their pets and if you are good at directing pets, I highly recommend you look into offering these types of minis.
• Couples
Far too often we forget to take pictures with our significant others. Offer mini sessions for updated images.
• Best Friends
Remember all those selfies you’d take with your best friends in high school or college? Time for some professional photos, too!
• Boudoir
This could be a great option for wedding photographers.
Milestone Minis
- Back-to School
Because it’s important to document your little ones growing up
- Cap and Gown
This could be a mini session for best friends in high school, college, or just one-on-one for Kindergarten or Senior graduations.
Pop-Up Mini Session Ideas
• Snow Minis
This is all dependent on where you live, but if you have an unexpected snow, snow minis really are pure magic.
• State Fair Minis
Again, all dependent on where you live but couples and sometimes families love having the lights of the state fair rides in the background of their photos. And, it’s a free backdrop outside of paying your entry fee. And, it would always be safe protocol to make sure you can take professional pictures on site.
