You’re getting some good advice here, but you’re also getting some of the worst advice I’ve ever seen in this sub, and I’m worried it’ll discourage you from continuing.

You were running mini sessions, and most people don’t seem to know what “mini” means. Sure, maybe your settings were off, but 300+ shots in 15 minutes is only bad for a mini during editing. Any more than 15 minutes, 20 max, and it’s not a mini session anymore.

Your only real mistake was not having someone help wrangle kids. I’ve done daycare photos for 15 years, and I have SECONDS to win a kid over to not cry (in my timeframe, if a baby or toddler smile, it’s a coincidence) and if the teachers I ask to sit beside the kid to stop them from bolting out don’t care, I’m having a bad day.

Take a second look at the photos. You may be just frazzled. If they’re still as bad as you say, contact the mom, tell her the issue. The odds are good she understands. Offer to reshoot or refund, but don’t lose any more sleep over one mini session.

I currently photograph daycares. 10 minutes a kid? You were living the dream.

My schools are 50-100 kids and I’m out the door by the time they’re putting lunch on the table. If I get one minute with a kid, I’m lucky.