As a business owner, investing in professional brand photography is a really important step in creating a cohesive and compelling visual identity. We all know the importance of making sure your business and brand stands out to attract your ideal clients – and that the best way to do that is to connect with your clients through being in the picture! When I work with clients, we always start with the brand consultation to ensure that every image is useful and helps promote your business and your brand. Many of my full session clients will include multiple locations in their brand session; from their workplace, to their home and even a favorite coffee shop or park; to best highlight who you and your business is at the core.

However, there are times that you may need to condense this session; for time or budget issues; or maybe you have already a good batch of brand photos but you want to make sure your social media or email images have some fresh images; or possibly you are launching a new product or service that you specifically want to focus your attention and get some specific images.

Here are some key differences between branding “mini” photo sessions and full branding photo sessions to help you decide which option is the best fit for your business.

Branding Mini Photo Sessions: Bite-Sized Brilliance

Branding mini sessions are a more streamlined and cost-effective option, typically lasting 30 minutes to one hour. These sessions are ideal for businesses that:

• Need to refresh their existing brand imagery
• Have a limited budget for photography
• Require a smaller selection of photos
• Need quick turnaround times

During a mini session, we can still typically capture a mix of headshots, product shots, and environment/lifestyle images. The focus is on efficiently capturing a core set of branded visuals that can be used across your website, social media, and marketing materials.

Full Branding Photo Sessions: Hearty Helpings of Brand Goodness

In contrast, a full branding photo session is a more comprehensive and in-depth experience. These sessions usually last 2-4 hours and are well-suited for businesses that:

• Are launching a new brand or undergoing a major rebrand
• Require a large, diverse library of branded imagery
• Want to deeply explore their brand’s personality and visual identity
• Have the budget to invest in a more extensive photoshoot

A full branding session allows us to dive deeper into your brand, capturing a wider range of shots, experimenting with different poses and settings, and ultimately delivering a robust collection of 50-100+ final images.

Choosing Your Portion Size: Mini or Full?

When deciding between a branding mini session or a full branding session, consider the following factors:

• Your current and future content needs: How many images do you require to effectively market your business?
• Your brand’s stage of development: Are you launching a new brand or simply refreshing your existing visuals?
• Your available budget: Full branding sessions typically cost more, but the investment can pay off in the long run.
• Your timeline: Mini sessions offer quicker turnaround times, while full sessions require more planning and coordination.

Ultimately, the right choice will depend on your unique business needs and goals. That is why the first step in all my sessions includes a consultation call. We can assess your needs together and I can advise you on the best type of session for you. Reach out to me at 703-850-7212 for a free call!