We just went on a weeklong vacation for the first time as a family of four. Leading up to the trip I was feeling so nervous about the boys behaving themselves on the flight and at the hotel. Don’t get me wrong, I love them, but they’re at that age where you’re not 100% sure what you’re going to get when they wake up in the morning.
Then I realized the irony. I hear from moms all the time before a family photography session that they’re worried about their kids being too wild or not behaving, and that the whole shoot will be a complete disaster. And every single time, I say the same thing: let them be kids.
Whether it’s a vacation or a family photo session, kids almost always come around. They just need time. And that’s exactly what I want to talk about, because it’s the biggest reason I believe full sessions (we’re talking an hour or more) will always serve your family better than a quick mini. So let’s get into it.
Why Minis Seem Like the Logical Choice
(But Actually Aren't)
You might be thinking to yourself that booking a mini shoot will help to make sure your kids behave. It seems perfectly logical. They’re faster and less of an investment which makes them feel like lower stakes. But when it comes to your kids, less time actually works against you.
Minis move really quickly and have the best results when we can flow from one set of shots into the next. In most cases there’s another family booked before or after your time slot, which means there’s no wiggle room if your kiddo is not feeling the shoot.
Remember: you’re bringing your kids to a new place, there’s a lot to take in around them, and they might need a bit more time to get comfortable. So while minis are great in some cases, if your fear is your kids not behaving, it might not be the best choice for them.
Kids Need a Warm-Up and That Takes Time
You and I both know that kids do not perform on command, nor should they! They take time to open up and get comfortable with their surroundings. In my experience it takes kids 15–20 minutes in a session to just settle in. And with a mini, that is the session.
With a full family photo session of an hour or more, that’s just the beginning! While you can still get great pictures within a mini, the full session tends to bring kids out of their shell and let their real personality shine. They’re more open to having fun and those stunning spontaneous shots start happening naturally.
The Magic of
In-Between Moments
The in-between moments of a shoot are often what bring out the best photos. They’re where you find the spontaneity and play that can’t be rushed or scheduled.
The best shots of the whole session (like your kids erupting into a giggle-fit when you play tickle monster, or breaking out into a random silly dance, or the way they still reach for you when they’re tired) happen when they forget there’s a camera there.
That takes time.
And as a mom, those are the photos you’re going to want. Not the posed smiles, the real ones. The ones that bring you right back to exactly how this season of life felt.
Built-In Breathing Room
Sometimes kids just need a snack, a breather, or five minutes to reset. That is completely normal. They’re children, not statues! Having that flexibility in a full session means we can take a quick break without it costing you precious shoot time, as opposed to a mini where you have 20 minutes to hold it all together.
(And yes, even if your husband needed a little convincing to show up, the extra time helps him relax into it too. I promise he’ll be glad he came.)
More Time Means More of Your Story
Beyond your kids’ comfort levels, a longer family photography session also just gives you more. More variety of backgrounds and locations within the same setting, the option to switch outfits, and more variation in the final gallery. A mini gives you pictures from one spot. A full session gives you the full story of your family, including you, beautifully in the frame.
Again, there’s no right or wrong choice here. It’s all about what works best for you and your family.
What Full Sessions Look Like With Me
With nearly a decade of experience as a family photographer in Burlington and the Halton Region (and as a mom of two myself) I’ve seen it all. Wild children do not phase me. In fact, I think they bring a joy and energy to photos that can’t be forced. You are in good hands.
Here’s how the full session experience works from start to finish:
Step One: Book Your Session – Reach out with any questions, we’ll choose your date and package, and you’ll get my shoot guide so you can start dreaming up your vision.
Step Two: Virtual Planning – A 30-minute virtual consult where you share your vision and walk away knowing exactly what to expect.
Step Three: In-Person Styling – You’ll have access to my full Client Closet with curated, stunning outfits that make you feel like the star of the show and save you from that last-minute shopping trip.
Step Four: Shoot Day – A seamless, genuinely enjoyable experience for your whole family. I’ve been doing this for years so I know how to make it as easy as possible while still getting those timeless images.
Step Five: Receive Your Photos – Sneak peeks in your inbox within 48 hours. Full proof gallery within 3-4 weeks. Your final edited favourites delivered within 7 days of your selections.
Step Six: Family Legacy Locked In – Print them, post them, make them your home screen. Cherish them forever.
So...How Did the Vacation Go?
Yes, it did take time for my kids to settle into our family vacation. But giving them the space to do that made it so much easier, and we ended up having the best time. We made memories that will literally last a lifetime and I like to think even my boys will look back on it as a core memory.
So if you’re like me (a mom who worries her kids will be “too wild” for photos) I don’t want you to worry. Let them be kids. Those are the kinds of photos you’ll look back on years from now and smile, remembering their quirky personalities, their genuine giggle captured perfectly, and the way you beamed when you looked at them.
And you deserve to be in those photos too. Not just behind the camera but in the frame, present, beautiful, and exactly as you are right now.
Ready to Book Your Family Session in Burlington?
Learn more about full-length family sessions here. Reach out if you have any questions. And please don’t hold back from capturing this phase of your life, no matter how chaotic it feels. This is exactly the season worth remembering.