Why do I love mini sessions? The kids are running around the house, half-dressed. My 3 year old is asking for snacks and my five year old is refusing to wear the bow I so carefully chose to match her dress without being too matchy. My husband is changing a diaper and I am re-thinking my entire outfit.

Does this scenario sound familiar to you? I think all too often the pressure of getting family portraits done overrides the desire to capture your family during such a fleeting season. Life feels chaotic and family photos can be expensive. So what is the antidote?

The mini session. Here is why I love the mini session.

They are short and sweet. My kiddos’ attention span for something like a photo session is about 15 minutes. After that they want snacks, or to do something different. Granted, a great photographer will allow your kiddos space to play and be themselves, but even then, many kids aren’t used to being in front of the camera and don’t want to follow instruction for much longer than 15 minutes.

Also, They are more affordable. Often I am looking for updated family photos, something for the Christmas cards, and as a bonus, I love having some beautiful portraits for my walls. My kiddos are growing so quickly that I want to do them every year! But having full sessions every year gets expensive.

They’re fun. I always leave my mini sessions amazed at how many portraits we got in such a short amount of time. We transition quickly from moment to moment and it keeps everything light and fun. We move so quickly that there isn’t enough time for you to think about if you are posed correctly or how your hair looks. That hopefully helps you relax and be yourself.

Finally, everything is decided for you. The date, location and time slots are limited, which takes a lot of the planning off the client. That makes it a no-brainer!

So I am curious, why do you love mini sessions?

Why I love Mini Sessions

Ashley Conrad is a light and airy photographer specializing in family, newborn and maternity portraits in the Greater Cincinnati Area, including Northern Kentucky.

My goal is to create a portrait experience that allows you to truly enjoy our time together. I provide a style guide and optional wardrobe to help point you in the right direction and ease the pain of choosing outfits, as well tips on how to prepare your little one for a fun, breezy session that results in beautiful portraits and sweet memories that will last a lifetime.

Click here to see more of Ashley’s family portraits.

If you’re looking for inspiration for your own portraits, check out my inspiration page for ideas!

Interested in booking a mini session? Click here!