Frequently Asked Questions

Are mini sessions bad for my photography business?

Often, yes, especially if you're new and trying to build a brand. Many people discover you for the first time through a mini session, so they tie your worth to that low price. Humberto says they may also start to see you as a low-price photographer who gives away all the digitals and offers the same thing as everyone around you. He does note that plenty of photographers succeed with minis.

Do mini sessions bring in good referrals?

Usually not the ones you want. People referred by a mini session client will likely know what their friend paid and expect similar pricing. Best case, they reach out, but when you offer your full sessions they bring up the mini price or say they'll get back to you. Worst case, they take your cheapest package and guilt you into extra digital files. Branding yourself as inexpensive rarely leads to higher-paid sessions later.

Should I offer free photo sessions instead of discounted mini sessions?

Yes, Humberto recommends free over discounted. A free session doesn't attach a low price to your brand the way a cheap mini does, and it still builds your portfolio, earns reviews and testimonials, and can bring quality referrals. Often those clients love the work and come back to pay for full sessions. Choose people you want in your portfolio, like a photogenic family if you shoot families.

How do I run a free portfolio session and still make money?

Pick the exact kind of client you want in your portfolio, style them, and follow the shoot with an in-person sales session. Humberto describes that ordering session as a low-pressure sale. It gives you a chance to practice in-person sales and make a lot more money than a cheap mini, while you build the portfolio you want and collect reviews and testimonials without hurting your brand.

How much do photographers usually charge for mini sessions?

Usually very little. Humberto says mini sessions often run around $100, and he has seen them as low as $45 and up to about $299 or $300, often from photographers who aren't doing in-person sales. His concern is that hundreds of people meeting your brand for the first time at that price will associate you with inexpensive work.

How much should a professional photographer charge for a portrait session?

At least $1,000, by the benchmark Humberto follows. He once heard portrait and glamour photographer Sue Bryce say that if you don't charge at least $1,000 for a portrait session, you're not a professional photographer, and he calls it one of the best pieces of advice he's heard. If you're not there yet, he suggests free, styled portfolio sessions with in-person sales instead of cheap minis.