Photographers: how to run mini sessions

A mini session day works when everything is fixed in advance: one theme, one location, one date, and short sessions back to back with a set changeover time between them. Create the mini session as its own service with the date and theme in its name, open slots only on that day, and announce it a few weeks ahead so clients can book their time. Say exactly what's included, plan for bad weather, and block the editing days that follow before you open bookings.

A full portrait session is built around one client. A mini session day is built around the setup: a decorated corner in the studio, a spot in an autumn park, a seasonal set. Clients come one after the other for a short session, with a smaller number of images at a lower price. For you, the value comes from the volume: one setup, one day, many clients. That only works if the day runs on time.

Each slot needs to cover the shoot itself plus the changeover: the previous family leaving, the next one arriving, a quick check of the set. If the session is 15 minutes of shooting, a 20- or 25-minute slot gives that margin. Without it, one late family delays everyone after them.

These figures are examples. Pick numbers that match how you shoot, and keep them the same for the whole day.

On Book, each type of session is a service with its own price and optional description, and you open slots for each at the length it takes. Create a service for the event, with the theme and date in its name, for example "Autumn mini sessions — Saturday 17 October". Open its slots only on that day, back to back, with breaks where you want them. Slots sit within a single day; if you run the event over a weekend, open slots on each day under the same service.

Clients choose a free slot and book one place. Each slot has one place, so one family per slot; once booked, it no longer shows on your page. When all slots are taken, the day is full.

Seasonal mini sessions are tied to a date that clients care about, such as photos for end-of-year cards. Open bookings a few weeks before, and share your booking page link in your newsletter, on social media and with past clients. Everyone sees the same free times and books directly, instead of messaging you for availability.

If you want past clients to have first choice, send them the link a few days before you announce it publicly.

Put all of this in the service description. The booking form also has an optional note, where clients can add the number of people or the children's ages.

For outdoor sets, choose a backup date or an indoor fallback before you open bookings, and state it in the description. If you have to move the whole day, reschedule each booking from your bookings list and contact every client yourself; Book doesn't email clients when you change a booking.

For late arrivals, apply the same rule to everyone: the session ends at the planned time. Saying this in advance makes it easier to hold on the day.

A mini session day produces many galleries at once. Before opening bookings, block the days after the event for editing, without other sessions. Because every mini session uses the same light and set, you can edit them in one batch, which is part of what makes the format work. Deliver within the time you promised.