2021's Holiday Session Guide
For this year's Holiday Mini Session date of Saturday, November 20th, 2021, those that are scheduled for a session will have the choice of multiple different backdrop/prop options. Some that are really festive and some that are more classic and simple.
While typically mini sessions are only 15 minutes, you will receive a 30 minute session this year as I have decided not to continue offering 15-minute mini sessions. No one enjoys the feeling of being rushed, including me as the photographer. Children are very good at picking up and reading mom's feelings, so it is in our best interest to always make photography sessions fun and light-hearted for us all. No stress = success in your photography session!
Holiday portrait sessions, whether they be full sessions or mini sessions are all around fun! I offer these discounted sessions in hopes that more of my past clients find it as an opportunity to capture the most adorable holiday portraits, even if they recently photographed an in-home newborn session or family session with me. And also to allow for new clients to try me out as their family photographer because I know it can be a little scary hiring someone new for such an important service as photographing your favorite and most loved people.
Below you will find backdrop options.
Since we do have double the time of normal mini sessions, as long as everyone is cooperating (I am talking to you...dad! Just kidding!) then we should be able to photograph two different scenes. We may even have time for one or more of the people being photographed to do a quick outfit change.
Perfect For The Whole Family - Holiday PJs
I think the matching/coordinating holiday PJs fad is here to stay and I think we are all grateful for that! Because when you have no clue what to wear, you can rock some adorable family PJs and look like a pro at this stuff! One of the set up options will be a traditional, comfy holiday slumber set up. Instead of using a backdrop for this set, an actual bed with cute props, fluffy pillows, and a few options for duvets will be offered to match just about any fun PJ or comfy set you want to use for your session.
Bright & Classic, Simple Background
Let's grab just a few images on a simple background too. These allow you more choice with your card options because the card can be just about any color and work well. every clothing choice would look great photographed on this plain background (except neon - please avoid neon colors). We can add in hints of the holidays so the props don't over power the impact of your gorgeous family. Sometimes, during these mini sessions we capture the best family portrait you have taken yet! And when we do, you want to be able to use it all year long without too much of a holiday theme. If there is colorful props involved, we can always turn the image to black and white for something that would work in your home all year 'round.
But even if you do get your best family photo on a themed background, that's great! More reason to decorate with it every year!
I do that with my own photos! I have canvases of my four legged kiddos (dogs, that is) from our First Christmases before I even had my human child! And now of course, we have holiday décor up of everyone. It is a fun way to change up your homes feel and look during the holiday season. And a great reason to take holiday portraits every year.
Holiday Tree Farm - Sans the Cold!
Imagine rows and rows of beautiful spruce and pine trees in one of those stunning tree farms. The smell of the pine ignites thoughts of previous holidays and good feels. Photographing at a Christmas Tree Farm is fun when you are lucky enough to get really great weather, but often times it is a hustle to snap a few pictures before everyone turns into Rudolph (red-nosed). The tree farm sessions are also much more suitable and realistic for older kiddos who can regulate their body temperature. Our little tiny ones are not apt to do that well yet, so while getting outside to a tree farm 2 hours from Chicago might seem unrealistic, being able to capture a few cute moments of your little one on this festive tree farm is definitely within reach. This backdrop is designed for use for littles only, sorry mom and dad! You can always throw some snowballs from the sidelines.
Outfit suggestions for this backdrop are warm sweaters, cute winter boots, scarfs, hats, mittens, and even that adorable mini pea coat your child may only wear a handful of times. A fun snow effect can be added to some of the images here too that looks like real snow, seriously, so fun!
The Traditional Holiday Photo
This background is just the cutest Christmas backdrop. It photographs really nicely in the background and it has a nice bokeh blur (as shown in the second image) . Due to the soft and balanced colors of this backdrop, just about any holiday or non-holiday outfit will work for this. A cute sweater and jeans for the family or even the formal outfit you might wear to your extended family holiday gatherings would be adorable here too. Small groups and individuals will photograph well on this backdrop. Mom and dad invited!
Rustic, Cozy, Holiday
One more geared towards the kiddos. I saw this backdrop and I had to offer it. This one is set up on the ground (with padding!) and it is set up to look like it's a bed. This way we can photograph baby alone without putting baby up on the bed by themselves! This is especially great when you have two littles that don't sit still. Either way, the background is another adorable options kiddos in just about any outfit.
I am so excited that you will be joining us for this event!
Are you still looking to schedule your holiday session? Well, you better hurry, time is running out for 2021's holiday sessions. Click the button below to request availability.
2 Comments
Nov 23, 2021, 12:23:12 PM
Tiffany Mattfolk - Hi Meghan!
I actually did end up opening up an extra date to accommodate a couple of clients and could squeeze in one or two more mini-type sessions, I will email you now with more information.
Nov 20, 2021, 8:13:51 PM
Meghan Brazel - Hi! I was checking to see if you had any cancellations or openings for Christmas mini sessions. I know it is very last minute! Thanks!