Mini Photo Session vs. Customized Full Sessions

A standard mini session is a quick 30-minute photo session that typically revolves around seasonal themes. With mini sessions, clients will only have time to wear one outfit. When shooting in the studio, you are still able to choose something from the client closet, but choosing and changing does take away from your time in front of the camera because typically more clients are coming in right after you and I have to stay on schedule. Most mini session clients choose to come in already fully dressed and ready to begin shooting. After the session you will receive a full gallery (30-60 images usually) of softly edited images to choose from. This means simple color corrections and cropping. No special effects, or skin retouching (although this can be purchased from your gallery if desired for an additional fee). Mini sessions come with a set number of images you are able to download. You can purchase additional downloadable high resolution files, order prints, wall art, and build your own albums right from the online gallery you will be sent.

Mini sessions are great for capturing family milestones year after year, especially for those with growing families. Do keep in mind that for those big wall portraits you will absolutely want to order retouching or fine art editing. Softly edited images are nice keepsakes and great for Christmas cards, but they don’t have that stunning polished look that Kaitlyn Silvestri Photography is known for.

Booking a mini session is super easy. You simply sign up for the theme, date and time you’d like and you’re good to go. Every month you’ll see new themes popping up. So always check back. Click to see the currently booking sessions here

On the other hand, a customized full studio session offers clients more flexibility and personalization. Clients have the freedom to choose any theme they desire and backdrops they desire. The studio is stocked with over 200 unique backdrops, and TONS of props to style with. You can choose from any backdrop, any time of year. There is usually enough time for 3-4 different backdrop sets, depending on the difficulty of styling. Sessions can be up to three hours long, so plenty of time to get comfortable in front of the camera and allow me to get creative behind the lens. Additionally, you’ll have full access to the photographer's client closet for styling options. There are over 100 gowns for women and little girls of all sizes, not to mention the stunning shelves of tiaras, flower crowns, and accessories to glam everyone up. For those who want to elevate their look even further, they can opt to have a hair and makeup artist come in to prep them.

One of the key differentiators of a customized full session is the level of editing provided. Clients receive a gallery of unedited proofs to choose from. Each image chosen receives full retouching and fine art editing on the images they select, allowing for a more polished and artistic final product that you’ll be ecstatic to hang on your walls and share on social media.

In summary, while mini sessions are great for quick and seasonal captures with basic editing, customized full sessions offer a deeper level of personalization, styling options, and high-end editing for those looking to create truly unique and artistic images.

Booking a full session is fairy simple, but there are a few extra steps compared to a mini session. Follow these steps to get started:

Place an inquiry through my website, Choose the session type you’d like from the drop down, and then the date you prefer.
You will immediately be emailed a brochure to match the session type you selected. This goes over pricing and packages.
You will choose the package you’d like and then submit it back to me with a simple click.
I’ll review your requests, make sure everything looks good, finalize the date with you and then send you an invoice and contract.
You’ll pay your retainer fee and sign your contract.
Depending on the session type you chose we will go over the next steps with either a questionnaire or a simple email.

A peek inside the studio