Much like the name implies, a mini is when a photographer creates a Pinterest-worthy backdrop for family portraits, typically seasonal, and puts a call out to their followers that they are scheduling mini photo sessions.

They book clients one after another in highly repeatable sessions of 15-30 minutes and come prepared with a pre-prepared list of poses and cues for each family.

And I don’t like them.

Photographers are a dime a dozen. You can throw a rock into just about any wildflower field this time of year and pretty much be guaranteed to hit one (but please don't - it hurts).

But photography is very personal and it's important to make sure the photographer you choose has the style and personality that aligns best with the moments you want to capture.

So put the rocks down and use these 5 questions instead to vet your next photographer to make the most from your next photo session.

In my first blog post, I talk about photography and Red Family Photo as my personal adventure – a way for me to broaden my own horizons and explore more of what the world has to offer. With its one-year anniversary coming up in a few short weeks, what better time to look back on how that’s going.