What are Mini Session Memberships – Is it time to ditch full photography sessions?

This month kicks off mini session prep season for many of us. It’s that time of year when photographers start planning their Fall mini sessions. That got me thinking of a trend I’m seeing more for mini session memberships. If you read my last article on subscription models, you know how much I love this method. Almost as much as I love mini session season. 

So today, we’re going to dive deeper into how to create mini-only packages, how to price them, and where they fit within your photo package structure. 

Trust me, you WANT to have a notepad around to jot down ideas.

What is a Mini Session Membership?

A Mini Session Membership is a type of subscription model that allows clients to book multiple photography sessions over a certain period, such as monthly or quarterly. The pricing ranges from $275 – $375 for monthly sessions and between $650 – $800 for quarterly sessions. Each session includes anywhere from 15-50 photos.

These mini session memberships are not a new concept, but they are gaining popularity with clients and photographers. They are best for photographers who serve clients that regularly update content updates, like influencers, bloggers, or businesses. Over the past year, this membership model has found its way into more photography niches, serving not only digital creatives but also families, expecting parents, and many others.

Benefits of Subscription Mini Session Packages

The biggest benefit of a mini session membership is that it creates the potential to generate recurring revenue every month or quarter. Building a steady stream of recurring clients and income allows you to stress less about constantly having to market yourself to hunt for new clients. (I’ll take that too, thank you!) Another benefit is to your client. Not only do mini memberships offer clients a way to get the photos they desperately want, but it’s at a more affordable rate. 

Subscription models are still gaining popularity, so now is a great time to consider testing it with your past clients and new clients. It has the potential to differentiate your business in the crowded market and build long-term relationships with new clients.

Where Do Subscriptions Fit into Your Photo Packages?

Because you’re only offering a small number of photos, mini sessions are not a replacement for your full sessions. However, they can effortlessly fit into your existing package structure. Mini session memberships can be offered as standalone packages or as an attractive upsell after a full session.

For instance, if you’re a family photographer you may offer mini session membership to your past clients. Parents would love the chance to capture more professional quality images of their kids as they grow up. Instead of waiting until the annual Christmas photos, offering mini memberships allows families to get more of the photos they love (at a seemingly discounted price).

Similarly, after a full branding session, clients could opt for 3-4 mini sessions to refresh their content throughout the year. The initial full session would give them the initial photos they need for their website, then the subsequent mini sessions keep their social media feeds vibrant and engaging.
Mini session memberships can also serve as your down-sell because it spreads the cost over time. This can make your photography services more accessible to a wider range of clients.

Is there Demand for This?

Yes, there is! You and I know how much of an investment full sessions can be. (As they should be!) Most photography clients spend between $1,500 – $3,500 per session and receive up to 1,000 images. Many families and solo creative entrepreneurs can’t afford regular sessions at that price, even though they want to. Offering a more affordable option through mini session memberships opens up a new market segment by doing less. It also ensures income during the off-season for wedding photographers who want the chance to reconnect with past couples who have started growing their families.

Additionally, memberships allow you to become someone’s go-to photographer. Clients will appreciate having a photographer who understands their vision and keeps their aesthetic consistent over time. Something particularly important for businesses and personal brands.

Scaling Your Photography Business with Mini Sessions

You may have heard that scaling your business is about raising your prices and taking fewer clients. That’s one way to look at it. Mini session memberships are challenging that idea. Instead, they’re offering you the chance to work fewer hours, edit fewer photos, and make the same amount of money or more per client. Whether you’re looking to diversify your revenue stream, or you’re brand new to photography and you’re looking to lock in recurring revenue and quick reviews, this should be something you consider. 

For more information on other subscription model examples by niche, check out my article on subscription models for photographers here. You can also scroll down to find more information on mini sessions and how to build photo packages that sell.