Mini-Sessions vs Full Sessions: What’s the Real Difference?

Hey there! I’m Letty, your local photographer in Hillsboro, OR., and the woman behind the lens at Letty’s Photography. One question I get asked all the time:

“What exactly is a mini-session, and how is it different from a full session?”

Let’s talk about something near and dear to every busy parent, newly engaged couple, or dog-obsessed human (we see you 🐶): the beloved mini-session.

Yes, the “mini.” The bite-sized, quick-and-polished, perfectly timed photo session that always books out faster than a coffee shop on a Monday morning. But why are mini-sessions so popular? And how are they really different from full sessions?

Let’s zoom in and clear the lens.

Let’s clear that up in a way that’s helpful, honest, and a little fun. Because the truth is, mini-sessions are small but mighty, and they serve a real purpose (beyond just being cute and quick!).

What Is a Mini-Session?

A mini-session is a shorter, more focused photo session usually around 15–20 minutes. At Letty’s Photography, I found 20 minute mini-sessions hits the sweet spot, giving the right time without the feeling of being rushed, of course as long as everyone cooperates ;). This mini-sessions take place during special times of year like Mother’s Day, Easter, Autumn and Christmas, among others limited edition pop-ups within the seasons.

These sessions take place at pre-selected locations determined by the photographer, scheduled back-to-back on one or two days, and are exclusively designed to be quick, affordable, and stress-free.

At Letty’s Photography I offer mini-sessions in Hillsboro, OR and surrounding areas, some of my most requested pop-ups are Kids Personality Portraits.

Yes! you still get beautiful, professional images, just in a bite-sized time slot.

The True Purpose of Mini-Sessions

Mini-sessions ARE NOT “cheaper sessions.” They have their own vibe and value! Here’s why they're perfect for updating your photos with each season in a budget-friendly way, these can be very convenient for couples or small families who just need a few great shots, It’s quick. It’s efficient. We are not cutting corners, just cutting session time, while giving the option to get high-quality images

Because mini-sessions are on the same day and location, those savings are passed on to you, without sacrificing quality.

Mini-Session vs Full Session: What’s the Difference?

Here’s a quick summarized comparison to help you choose what fits best for your family:

Mini-Session

Mini-sessions are designed to keep it short 15–20 minutes. The location is selected by the photographer, this is for best lighting/scenery, depends of the season and session offered, it can be outdoors or in studio. Mini sessions offers a more affordable cost, but due to the short time, photos are limited variety, fewer images, still fully edited. Mini-sessions are great for small families, couples, kids, milestone updates.

Full Session

A full session can take from 50–120 minutes. Location gets choose by customer, I suggest to communicate with your chosen photographer and ask for recommendations, at Letty’s Photography we communicate with customer from the beginning with a simple questionnaire to understand your vision and make recommendations. Price is higher as this is a more personalized investment. Customer gets more variety of photos, outfit/location changes, and larger galleries. Full sessions are highly recommended for Maternity, extended families, branding, headshots, engagements, newborns.

No matter which you choose, at Letty’s photography you’ll always get my full attention and my signature natural warm editing style.

Based in Hillsboro, Made for You

My goal is to make photography feel easy, personal, and fun, whether we're at a cozy Christmas tree farm, a golden field at sunset, or your favorite local park. I love capturing your moments in and around Hillsboro OR, and the beautiful city of Portland OR.

Be the First to Know When Mini-Sessions Drop!

Mini-sessions tend to sell out fast, like, faster-than-iced-coffee-on-a-hot-day fast.

Join the Letty’s Mini-Session VIP List. You’ll get early access to booking before I open it to the public.

Ready to Book?

Whether you’re ready to jump into a mini or want to plan a full session, I’d love to work with you.

Have Questions?

Feel free to email me directly at hello@lettysphotography.com or reach out through the contact form on my website.

I’m always happy to help you decide what session works best for your vision, your family, and your timeframe.