Mini Sessions in Orange County

Mini sessions in Orange County have many benefits. We offer these short photography sessions a few times a year. First-time clients and past clients alike love our minis. It’s a way to reconnect or simply get to know each other.

Here are our top 3 favorite benefits of mini sessions:

1. Perfect for busy families who want to update their family portraits but don't have a lot of time.
2. Minis give our clients a chance to get the Christopher Todd Studios portrait experience at a significantly lower price than our regular sessions. Because these sessions are taken at a single location in a shorter duration of time we can offer them to clients at a reduced price. 
3. Great for holiday cards, back-to-school pictures, or an annual event for your family. Share an up-to-date, beautiful, professional photo with loved ones without the big price tag. 
   

Best 3 tips to maximize your mini session

Mini sessions are short in duration. Make the most of your time.

Follow these simple tips to get the best results and the most out of your pictures.

#1 Plan Ahead

Outfits, products, & style

Waiting till the last minute can be stressful. Coordinate family outfits in advance. Decide on what you want to do with the photos and let your photographer know your plan. 

#2 Arrive early

Be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes early and ready for photos.

This allows for finding parking, the meeting area, and ensuring you get the maximum time you are allotted for pictures.

#3 Follow the leader

Let your family members know you need good listeners.

Listen to your photographer, make sure everyone pays attention and follows directions for the 15-20 that you have with them.

Minis Session FAQs

Below we answer the most common questions about our mini sessions we offer.

What are mini sessions?

Mine sessions are 15-20 minute guided portrait sessions. These take place in one location decided by the photographer with back-to-back time slots to choose from. Availability is limited and they do book up quickly. They are offered a few times a year. It is a way for the photographer to offer portraits at a discounted rate to multiple people. Typically offered during the fall and spring. 

Mini Session Locations

The perfect location for a fall or spring mini session is a park or by a pier. One of our favorite locations is a local park in Orange County. It has it all. A lake, logs to climb on, trees, and pathways. A variety of backgrounds to choose from in a mini session allows for beautiful family portraits. The Pier on the other hand is iconic to Southern California. Both are lovely for family pictures. 

How do we plan for our mini session?

This is important, we recommend that you plan ahead of time for your session. You can begin the planning process by deciding what you want to do with the photos ahead of time. Wall art, gifts, albums are just a few ideas. Coordinating outfits is easy and stress-free with our personal planning app that we offer to families that book a session with Christopher Todd Studios. Always arrive at least 15 minutes early so you are not rushed and on time. 

How long are mini sessions?

Mini sessions are between 15-20 minutes long. These types of sessions are fast and easy. Perfect for updating family photos, trying out a new photographer, or getting photos for your holiday cards. You won't want to be late for your time slot, so arrive early. 

What should I wear to my mini session?

Decide on a style that fits your family. Use a style guide or color wheel for guidance. Stay away from busy patterns, or matching outfits. Colors should complement each other. We offer a stress-free solution for outfit coordination with our exclusive app. 

Is there a limit on family members in the mini session photos?

Yes. We limit the mini sessions to up to 6 people. If you have a larger group a more suitable option would be to either purchase a regular portrait session or reserve 2 back to back spots for the mini session. 

How many photos do you get in a mini session?

A mini session typically results in 15-25 images. However, depending on the package you purchase will determine how many photos you get. 

How much are mini sessions?

Minis cost between $99-175. Prices are subject to change. This is for the session fee images can be purchased at an additional cost.