“Should I do a mini or the full experience?”
I hear this one a lot, usually right after someone finds out we run minis at all. And it is a great question, because the two sessions are built for different people, different goals and different budgets.
So here is the straight answer from my Chicago studio: what you get with each, who each one is for, and how to choose without overthinking it.
TL;DR:
- Minis (we call ours micro minis) are short, themed sessions: 35 minutes, one outfit, 5 edited images. They start at $250.
- Full experiences are the whole day: pro hair and makeup, multiple outfits and sets, every pose directed, and a reveal where you choose from your full gallery.
- Pick a mini if you want to try boudoir, you need a quick gift, or you want a fun holiday set.
- Pick the full experience if you want variety, an album or wall art, or a session that tells a bigger story.
- Not sure? Book a free phone consult and we will help you choose. No pressure, ever.
What Is a Boudoir Mini Session?
A mini is a shorter session on a special date. At Bri Valiente Boudoir our minis run on themed days a few times a year, like our XXX-Mas Micro Minis and our Birthday Baddie days. The set is already styled, there are only a handful of spots, and once they are gone, they are gone.
Here is what a micro mini includes:
- 35 minutes in front of my camera on a fully styled set
- One outfit. Bring your own or raid our client closet (400+ pieces, sizes XXS to 6X)
- A planning call with me to design your look
- Expert posing. No experience needed, I guide every angle
- A private reveal where you choose your 5 favorite images
- 5 edited images that are yours to keep
Hair and makeup is optional on minis. You can add full glam, just hair or just makeup, or come camera ready.
Price: minis start at $250, and that is the total for the experience.
What Is a Full Boudoir Experience?
The full experience is the session most of my clients book, and it is the one people mean when they say “the boudoir effect.” It is not a quick shoot. It is your day.
Here is what a full experience looks like at my studio:
- A free phone consult first. We talk about what you want to feel when you see your images and plan your session around it.
- Professional hair and makeup. Our glam team does this every week for studio lighting and print, and it is part of every full experience.
- Multiple outfits and sets. More looks, more moods, more variety in your gallery. Our boudoir sets range from soft and romantic to bold and dramatic.
- Every pose directed. About an hour to an hour and a half of shoot time, with me guiding you the whole way.
- A sneak peek the same evening, so you are not left wondering.
- Your reveal, an online appointment with our team within 2 days to a week of your shoot, where you see your full gallery and build your collection: digital images, an album, wall art, or a mix.
Want the full price breakdown? I wrote a whole post on how much a boudoir photoshoot costs in Chicago. Full experiences are quoted on a free phone consult, so your numbers fit what you actually want.
Mini vs Full Session at a Glance
| Micro mini | Full experience | |
|---|---|---|
| Shoot time | 35 minutes | About 1 to 1.5 hours |
| Outfits | One | Multiple outfits and sets |
| Hair and makeup | Optional add on | Included |
| Images | 5 edited images | Choose from your full gallery |
| Products | Digital images | Albums, wall art, digitals |
| Dates | Special themed days only | Booked around your schedule |
| Price | Starts at $250 | Quoted on a free consult |
| Payment plans | Not needed | Yes, up to 18 months |
Who a Mini Session Is Perfect For
A mini is a great fit if:
- You are boudoir curious. You have been flirting with the idea for years and want a low pressure way to try it.
- You need a gift, fast. Our XXX-Mas Micro Minis are edited and in your hands before Christmas.
- You already did a full session and want a fun holiday or birthday set to add to your collection.
- You know exactly what you want. One look, one vibe, a handful of images you love.
Who the Full Experience Is Perfect For
The full experience is the better fit if:
- You want variety. Different outfits, different sets, soft and fierce in the same gallery.
- You want an album or wall art. Something to hold, gift or hang, not only files on your phone.
- It is a big moment. A wedding gift, a milestone birthday, a fresh start after a breakup or divorce, a “this is my year” session.
- You want the full pampering. Glam, a closet full of options, and a whole day built around you.
“But Is a Mini Enough?”
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Here is a simple test:
Picture yourself at your reveal. If choosing 5 images sounds exciting, a mini is perfect. If choosing only 5 sounds painful, you want the full experience.
And if you do a mini and walk out wishing you had more time, that is not a bad thing. It just means you found out you love this, and the full experience is there when you are ready.
Can I Make the Full Experience Fit My Budget?
Yes. That is what our payment plans are for:
- In house plans with 0% interest and no credit checks, for up to 18 months, as low as $50 every two weeks
- Affirm, Klarna, Afterpay and PayPal Pay in 4
You can learn more on our book now, pay later page. A full session can feel out of reach until you see it broken into small payments.
How to Book Either One
- For a mini: grab a spot on one of our themed dates. Right now that is the XXX-Mas Micro Minis on Sunday Nov 22, Saturday Dec 5 and Sunday Dec 6.
- For a full experience: book a free phone consult. We will walk you through your options, answer every question and save your date.
Still deciding? These will help:
- How to Prepare for a Boudoir Photoshoot
- What Happens After Your Boudoir Photoshoot
- How to Choose a Boudoir Photographer in Chicago
FAQ
What is the difference between a mini and a full boudoir session?
A mini is a 35 minute themed session with one outfit and 5 edited images. A full experience includes pro hair and makeup, multiple outfits and sets, about an hour to an hour and a half of shoot time, and a reveal where you choose from your full gallery.
How much is a boudoir mini session in Chicago?
Mini sessions at Bri Valiente Boudoir start at $250. Full experiences are quoted on a free phone consult.
Is hair and makeup included in a mini session?
It is optional on minis. You can add full glam, just hair or just makeup, or come camera ready. On full experiences, professional hair and makeup is always included.
Can I upgrade from a mini to a full session later?
Yes. A mini is a great way to try us out, and you can book a full experience whenever you are ready. Just tell us on your consult.
Do I need experience or a certain body type for either session?
No. Every body is welcome, and I direct every pose, every angle and every expression.
Where is the studio?
7524 N Harlem Ave, Chicago, Illinois. Questions? Call (331) 231-2770 or email hello@brivaliente.com.
