Holiday
Session Guide

Capture your family’s Holiday memories with these tips for a fun and stress-free photo session.

Welcome to my Holiday Portrait Session Guide! Holiday Minis are a great opportunity to capture some beautiful memories with your lovely family and get some stunning photos for your holiday cards!

In this guide, I’ll share some tips on how to prepare for your photo session. I’ll cover everything from choosing the right outfits to keeping the kiddos entertained during the session, making your session fun and stress free!

Make sure to check out our Pinterest board below for tons of ideas on outfits and color palettes as well!

Visit the Holiday Session Pinterest Board

View outfit ideas and color palettes for your session

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What to Wear for Holiday Photos

Warm sweaters, flowing dresses, and boots – it’s the holiday season, and it’s picture time! This time of year is all about capturing that cozy, festive feel in your family photos.

Choosing the Right Colors

The warm and cozy colors are what make this time of year so special. I always recommend going with classic neutral colors like soft whites, earthy tans, and muted grays. These neutral tones create a perfect backdrop, letting those holiday colors stand out even more. For a festive vibe, consider using traditional holiday colors like rich reds, deep greens, and a touch of gold. Think about outfits with red sweaters, green dresses, and some golden accessories. When choosing the right mix of holiday colors and neutrals, you’ll create photos that are both festive and timeless. Here’s a little tip to make things easier: sometimes it helps to start with Mom’s outfit first. Once you’ve got that perfect look for her, you can coordinate the rest of the family’s outfits around it. It’s a simple way to ensure everyone looks great together, and it takes some of the stress out of the planning!

Patterns: Less is More

Now, if patterns are your thing, go for it! But here’s a tip: stick to one or two family members wearing patterns. Too many patterns can make your photos look too busy and are a distraction in your photos.

Layer Up for Style and Comfort

Christmas weather can be a bit tricky, so let’s stay cozy with layers. Think comfy cardigans, stylish jackets, or cool vests for your Christmas outfits. They’ll keep you warm and add a little something extra to your holiday look. And the best part? You can mix and match these layers to keep things interesting during your Christmas photo session.

Empty those pockets

Before we start, make sure everyones pockets are empty of phones, wallets, and keys. These items can create bulges in your clothes that show up in photos. It’s a small detail, but it makes a big difference in keeping your photos looking clean and polished.

Prepping Your Kiddos

Alright, parents, let’s dive into the world of getting those adorable kiddos ready for our Holiday photo session. We all know that kids can be unpredictable little bundles of energy, so let’s make sure we’re prepared and in the best possible spirits for our day of fun and memory-making!

Rested and Ready

First things first, a well-rested child is a happy child (and a happy child makes for great photos)! Ensure your little ones get a good night’s sleep the day before the session. But here’s the tricky part: try not to let them sneak in a nap in the car on the way to our photo location. I know it sounds tempting, but many littles ones need time to adjust when waking up from a nap.

Full Bellies, Happy Smiles

Hungry kids can get cranky, and we want those genuine smiles and giggles. Make sure their bellies are full before we start, a light meal or snack is perfect. Just avoid anything too messy that might leave crumbs on their cute outfits!

Be a Team

Family photo sessions are a team effort, and your little ones are key players. Talk to them about our adventure and what to expect. Make it sound exciting, like going on a treasure hunt or exploring a magical forest. When they feel like they’re part of the adventure, they’ll be more excited about the session.

Bribery Can Be Your Friend

Sometimes a little bribery can work wonders! Pack some small treats or rewards – something that’s their absolute favorite. Promise them a special treat after the session (Ice Cream is always a good idea! 🙂 ). It’s a win-win for everyone!

Keep It Light and Fun

Lastly, and most importantly, let’s keep it light and fun. The best thing you can do for your kiddos during the session is to stay relaxed and positive. So if we’re enjoying ourselves and having fun, they’re more likely to do the same. Embrace the joy of the moment, be silly, and don’t worry too much about perfection. Sometimes the most candid, unexpected moments make for the best photos.

What to Expect During the Session

During our photo session, get ready for a dose of silliness, laughter, and memorable moments. Some of my best photos are of families loving on each other, playing, and having fun! Here’s what you can expect and how we’ll make it a fantastic experience for your family.

Fun and High Energy

Expect lots of silliness and high energy, especially if you have kids! I’ll capture those real smiles and laughter, so let’s embrace the fun together. Get ready for some funny noises, silly jokes, and lots of joy!

Posing Worries? Not a Problem!

Now, if you’re worried about how to pose, where to put your hands, or any of those typical photo session concerns, don’t sweat it. I’ve got you covered! I’ll be there to guide you through the entire process. I’ll prompt you, suggest poses, and ensure that you and your family look your absolute best. Your focus can remain on enjoying the moment with your loved ones.

Candid Moments are Gold

While I’ll guide you through some poses, I’m also a big fan of candid moments. Those unscripted, genuine interactions between family members often result in the most heartfelt photos. So, don’t be surprised if I capture those unexpected smiles, loving glances, and playful moments. They’re like little treasures that tell the real story of your family. So make sure to have fun, play with the kids, lots of hugs and kisses – I promise you those will be your favorite photos!

Being on time

Venues usually require us to reserve specific times, and they don’t allow us to stay over. So, please try to arrive at least 10 minutes before your session. This will give you plenty of time for parking, getting the kiddos out of the car, and finding me at the location.

*If you’ve booked a Mini Session, this is extra important! These sessions are scheduled back-to-back, with families before and after your time slot. Arriving early ensures we can make the most of your session without feeling rushed as I will not be able make up missed time.

Bringing pets? Let me know!

Planning to bring pets? Let me know in advance! Some locations don’t allow pets, and most require them to stay on a leash. We’ll make sure everything’s set so your furry friends can join the fun!

If you don’t want your pet in every photo, it might be a good idea to bring someone along to help take care of them while you’re getting your photos taken. But if you want your pet in every photo, that’s perfectly fine too!

After the session

Once our session is done, the excitement isn’t over! About two weeks after the session, you can expect an email with your gallery link. This is where you’ll find all the digital photos from our session.

If you’ve chosen a full session, you’ll be able to download all the photos included in your gallery. If you’ve selected a mini session, you’ll have the option to choose a set number of photos that come with your package to download. If you fall in love with more than your allotted number, don’t worry; you can always purchase additional images separately or even opt for the full gallery. The choice is yours, and it allows you to select your absolute favorites to cherish and share with friends and family.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it! A glimpse into what you can expect during our Holiday photo session. It’s all about creating beautiful memories, embracing the fun, and capturing your family’s unique spirit. I can’t wait to see your family shine in front of the camera, and I promise it’s going to be an incredible experience!

Holiday Session Guide