Ah, the mini session. This 20 to 30 minute abbreviated photo shoot has become increasingly popular in the photography world, and for good reason.
Traci Ryant’s Mini Session Guide is incredibly thorough, so even if you’ve done a mini session or two already, you will definitely learn more by reading it. From prop ideas to scheduling (and rescheduling), posing tips to pricing, marketing to photo examples, this BP4U guide is a must-own for any photographer.
Choosing Props for Mini Sessions
Many mini sessions are centered around a theme. This can be a seasonal theme, such as spring or winter, or a holiday theme, such as Easter, Christmas or Halloween.
No matter your theme, though, one thing’s for certain: props have the potential to really enhance your photos. Props come in the form of floor drops, backdrops, toys, headbands, etc.
Traci says to be unique in your prop choices, but to not stray far from what’s expected. For example, Easter eggs, baskets, bunny ears and pastel colors are excellent choices for Easter. Valentine’s Day lends itself to pinks, reds and hearts while pumpkins, cozy flannels, apples and hay bales are idea for fall-themed mini-sessions.
You’ll also want a background that fits with your theme. Traci chose a lime green and white background for the picture above, which complemented the colorful monkey dolls and blue wooden chair perfectly.
Tip: For indoor mini sessions that are just for children, Traci allows for one outfit change. Encourage your clients to do one formal outfit and one fun/casual outfit so they have options. For example, fancy Christmas duds for half the session and a cozy pajama set for the other half.
Click here to buy or read more about Traci Ryant’s Mini Session Guide.
{What People Are Sayin’}:
“I couldn’t believe the amount of information that was on this guide! It covered every aspect that I was wondering about and then some.” — Brandy
“I really ENJOYED the read, it was a easy read, jammed packed of tons of USEFUL information and loved all the sample pictures!” — Jen
“I have been considering adding minis this year and now I feel like I am armed and ready.” — Kiersten
“I have bought Traci Ryant’s mini session guide and I absolutely love it! It covers a lot of details that I didn’t think about before when I was considering doing mini sessions. A very good buy worth the money.” — Kaye
Topics Covered:
- Includes details about both indoor and outdoor sessions
- How much to price
- How to market
- When to offer
- When to book
- How to choose themes
- How to keep the session flowing
- How much time to spend on each pose
- How to set up
- The best poses to take
- How to determine locations
- How to schedule
- How to stay organized on the day of