How Long Does a Family Photo Session Take? A New Orleans Photographer’s Honest Answer

The short answer:

Most of my full family photo sessions take 45 minutes. Mini sessions run 25 to 30 minutes, and extended family sessions with grandparents and cousins need about an hour. That’s plenty of time for a relaxed start, the classic everyone-looking-at-the-camera shot, and the in-between moments that usually end up as your favorites.

That’s it. That’s the answer. If that’s all you came for, feel free to close this tab and go book your date.

But the number on the clock isn’t really what makes a family photo session go well. What happens inside those 45 minutes matters a lot more, and that part is worth two more minutes of your time. How long does a family photo session take? A New Orleans photographer’s honest answer.

If you have little ones, you’re probably not asking how long I need. You’re asking how long your two-year-old can hold it together. Totally fair. Maybe you’ve done a session before that dragged on until everyone was sweaty and cranky, and you’re not signing up for that again. Or maybe you’re just trying to figure out if this fits between naptime and dinner. Let’s walk through it.

How Long Does a Family Photo Session Usually Take?

Here’s how my sessions break down:

• Full sessions: 45 minutes, with 40+ edited images to choose from
• Curated mini sessions: 25 minutes at one hand-picked New Orleans location, with 25 to 30 edited images
• Flexible date minis: 30 minutes, on your date at your choice of location
• Extended family sessions: about an hour

The clock starts at your scheduled time, and the first few minutes of hellos and settling in are part of the session. You don’t need to show up early to “get ready” for your photos. Getting comfortable is the warm-up.

Families on the shorter end tend to be smaller, with kids who are happy to go along for the ride. Families on the longer end usually want a lot of different groupings, or have a little one who needs a few minutes to warm up (more on that below).

And here’s something I’ve learned after 25+ years: a longer session does not mean better photos. Around the 45-minute mark, little kids are done. You can see it in their faces, and you’ll see it in the pictures too. I’d much rather end while everyone is still having fun.

What Actually Happens During a Family Photo Session?

If you’ve never done this before, 45 minutes can feel like a mystery. Here’s roughly how it flows:

• The first few minutes: I’m chatting with your kids, walking around, and figuring out who’s shy and who’s the ham. Your kids are getting to know me, and I’m learning what makes them laugh.
• The big group photo: I get this early, while everyone’s clean, fresh, and still willing to look at me.
• The in-between moments: Walking, swinging, tickling, whispering secrets. This is where the real connections show up, and it’s usually the biggest chunk of the session.
• Siblings and solo portraits: A few minutes for each kid on their own, plus siblings together. I weave these in when each kid is in a good mood instead of forcing them in order.

I also walk the neighborhood during your session, so you get a variety of backdrops (a porch, an oak tree, a colorful wall) without loading everyone back into the car. Make sure to take a look at my guide The Best Photo Locations in New Orleans for inspiration.

Meanwhile, I’m quietly watching things you’ll never notice: where the light is best, which kid needs a break, and which parent will do absolutely anything for a laugh.

Why Do Some Family Sessions Run Longer Than Others?

The honest variables are pretty simple:

• Group size: More people means more blinks, more wiggles, and more time to get everyone in the frame.
• Number of groupings: Every extra combination (just the cousins, grandparents with all the grandkids, each family unit) adds a few minutes.
• Ages: Toddlers and babies set their own schedule. I just follow it.
• How you arrive: A family that rolls in calm has a very different first ten minutes than one that just had a car seat standoff.

Extended family and multigenerational sessions usually take about an hour. That covers the big group, each family unit, and grandparents with the grandkids. Sending me your list of must-have groupings ahead of time keeps things moving.

Here’s what most people get backwards: the families with the best galleries aren’t the ones with the most time. They’re the ones who stopped watching the clock.

Does the Time of Day Change How Long Your Session Runs?

Yes, and the light is the boss. The best light for family photos only lasts so long, so it sets a hard outer limit on any session.

A session booked close to sunset can’t stretch, even if everyone is having the best time. Once the light is gone, it’s gone. Morning sessions have a little more wiggle room if your family needs extra time to warm up.

If you’re trying to decide on a time, I break it all down in my post on choosing the best time for your family photo session.

How Long Should Families With Babies and Toddlers Plan For?

Little kids have a pretty short window of “I’m into this.” That’s exactly why a shorter session often gets better photos with this age group, not worse ones. I plan for the reality of small children, and I get the must-haves done early while everyone’s happy.

Need to stop for a feeding or a diaper change? No problem. Those breaks are built into how I work, and they often give a cranky kid the reset they need.

Let me tell you about one of my favorite sessions.

The youngest in the family was not ready. Not even a little bit. Sitting by herself in front of a stranger with a camera was absolutely not happening for the first 15 minutes. So I didn’t ask her to. I sent her off to chase Dad around Audubon Park Gumbel Memorial fountain while I photographed her older siblings. She laughed, she ran, she got the wiggles out, and she got to watch me be silly with her brother and sister from a safe distance.

Then I brought her back and turned it into a game. Could she sit like a statue for one whole minute before Mom came to hug her? Turns out she could. She sat, she giggled, and then Mom swooped in and scooped her up. I got the solo portrait, the squeal, and the hug, all in about sixty seconds.

That’s the thing about kids who aren’t ready yet. They usually just need a minute (and a game). If your kid is unhappy before we’ve even started, I promise I’ve seen it before, and I have a few tricks up my sleeve.

The Time Before Your Session Matters More Than the Session Itself

This one surprises people. How your family spends the hour before you meet me shapes the whole session.

• Feed everyone. A snack right before is the best insurance policy I know of.
• Bathroom break. Right before you leave the house, for everyone, even the ones who “don’t need to go.”
• Get dressed early. Not in the car. Not in the parking spot. Rushing to button tiny shirts at the last minute starts everyone off frazzled.
• Leave the extras in the car. Keep a diaper bag and a water bottle nearby, but the backpack, the stroller full of stuff, and the extra outfits can stay put.

You don’t need to arrive early. Right on time is perfect, and in New Orleans humidity, I’d rather you not stand around waiting. Just give yourself enough cushion that nobody’s sprinting from the car.

Is a Shorter Family Session Ever the Better Choice?

Absolutely. My 30-minute curated mini sessions are a great fit for families who’ve done photos before and know the drill, families with older kids who don’t need a warm-up, or anyone who wants a beautiful location without a lot of planning. And if you’re worried a 45-minute session is too much time, meet me at one of the curated locations for a mini session in the Spring and Fall.

More time doesn’t automatically mean more value. The right amount of time is the one that fits your family.

Planning the Right Amount of Time for Your Family Photo Session

To recap: most of my family photo sessions take 45 minutes, minis take 25 to 30, and extended families need about an hour. But if you remember one thing, make it this: with little kids, shorter is usually better. Get them fed, get there on time, and let me handle the rest.

If I could go back and get one more afternoon with my own kids when they were little, I wouldn’t care how long it lasted. I’d just care that we were all there together. That’s what I’m thinking about when I plan your session.

Still have questions? Drop your kids’ ages or your biggest scheduling worry in the comments, and I’ll weigh in. And if you’re planning around a specific season or event, reach out about dates. I’d love to hear about your family.

Family Photo Session FAQs