7 Tips for Successful Holiday Mini Sessions

With the holiday season quickly approaching, we know that many of you are thinking of offering mini sessions to your photography clients.  Paige Ewing has been running successful holiday mini-sessions for several years now and is sharing some tips on our blog today for running a successful event.

‘Tis the season for “Mini Sessions”. These quick and quirky sessions are a way for you to offer your talented services to a number of clients, in a small amount of time, at a discounted price! We have approached that time of year where families are seeking fall portraits or some awesome shots to show off on their Christmas cards. Here’s how you can accommodate to the multitude of clients approaching you this season and still have time to do some holiday shopping for yourself. If you are just starting your own photography business, mini-sessions are an excellent way to get started and get your name in front of a lot of people.

Tips for Mini-Sessions

• 1. Discount your price and cut your time in half.

  I offer 20 minute sessions and discount my regular session fee by 40-50%.

• 2. Include a product with the fee.

  You can offer a set of prints or digital images with a print release that is a part of their fee. My packages this year look like this: $75 with one digital image, or $125 for all digital images. Options are great, but keep it simple!

• 3. Choose a location and date.

  Whether you are doing fall portraits, Christmas portraits, or even in the spring, be sure to pick a central location that is easily accessible. Make sure you have permission to use the location first. Most public parks don’t require you to ask, but it never hurts to be sure. Check to see if they are having any major events happening that day so it won’t interfere with your plans.  If you find a private residence or business that you want to use, definitely talk to them first and get approval. Be sure to ask any details about parking or where they don’t want you to access.  It’s always better to be safe than sorry when you are dealing with other people’s time and money.

  Choose one or two days that you will be hosting the session and book everyone in a 30 minute time block, giving time between each client for you to breathe.

• 4. Get the Word Out!

  Market your mini sessions through online media like Facebook and Twitter. Create a flyer and post it to these sources. You can also send an email to your previous clients, inquiries, family members, and friends.

• 5. Theme or no theme?

  That is up to you! It is your creative work and you can decide to keep it casual, or choose a theme with props. Below is a picture of my daughter taken by Ashley Nelson Photography where they hired a Santa and decorated their studio. Beautiful, isn’t it? Photo credit: Ashley Nelson Photography

• 6. Don’t forget the parents.

  Be sure to let the parents know this session isn’t just about the kids, it’s for them, too!

• 7. Have fun!

  Don’t stick to just the ‘posed’ pictures. Get up, move around, and give them instruction on ideas. You can guide them to chase each other, throw leaves, kiss mom and dad, or just dog pile each other.  ;)

Best wishes with your mini session!

Paige Ewing is a self-taught natural light photographer who’s not afraid to use an off-camera flash. She was inspired by her daughter to start her business and loves having a creative outlet that doesn’t involve pretending to be the Wicked Witch or Prince Charming. You can follow this photographer-mom on Facebook or at Paige Ewing Photography.

Tagged as: Christmas Photography Session, Holiday Mini Photography Sessions, Holiday Mini-Sessions, Holiday Photography Session, Holiday Photography Tips, Holiday Photography Tutorials