What Happens During a Holiday Photo Session?
If you've never booked a professional holiday photo session before, you may be wondering what to expect. Will the kids cooperate? What happens if someone needs a break? How many different photos will we take? Read my Complete Guide To Planning Family Holiday Photos
The good news is that your holiday session is designed to be relaxed, enjoyable, and centered around your family. My goal is to create beautiful portraits while making the experience feel fun—not rushed or stressful.
Here's what you can expect.
Before Your Session
Once your session is booked, I'll send information to help you prepare so you feel confident before you arrive.
We'll cover topics such as:
What to wear
Coordinating family outfits
Preparing young children
Arrival time
What to bring (if anything)
If you have questions before your session, I'm always happy to help. After 10 years of being a photographer, I wrote a guide to help families know what to wear for their holiday photos.
Arriving at the Studio
When you arrive, there's no need to rush.
Children have a few minutes to explore the studio, get comfortable, and warm up before we begin photographing. This simple transition helps everyone relax, especially toddlers and shy children.
If someone needs a snack, a diaper change, or a few extra cuddles, that's completely fine. We simply work at your family's pace.
We Start with the Easy Photos
Rather than beginning with complicated posing, we start with simple portraits that help everyone settle into the session.
These often include:
The entire family
Parents with the children
Siblings together
Individual portraits of each child
Once everyone feels comfortable, we gradually build more variety throughout the session. In my experience, the first few minutes of a session are a bit stiff. People are nervous and flustered from everything it took to get here. But soon, everyone relaxes. It is at this point in the session where I make an effort to get natural smiles in your holiday photos.
Natural Moments Matter More Than Perfect Poses
The best holiday portraits usually happen between the poses.
You might:
Read a holiday story together
Bake pretend cookies
Snuggle on a couch
Whisper something funny
Hug your children
Laugh together
These little interactions create authentic expressions that simply can't be forced.
Rather than asking children to smile over and over, I guide families into moments that encourage genuine connection.
Those are often the photographs parents love most.
We Capture a Wide Variety of Images
Every family gallery includes a mixture of portraits designed to tell the story of your family.
During your session we may photograph:
The entire family
Mom with the children
Dad with the children
Parents together
Siblings together
Individual portraits of each child
Looking at the camera
Looking at one another
Standing portraits
Sitting portraits
Close-up connection and detail images
Candid interactions throughout the session
Instead of receiving dozens of nearly identical photographs, you'll have a gallery filled with variety and personality.
Add an Outfit Change for Even More Variety
Many families choose to include an outfit change during their holiday session.
Changing outfits creates a completely different look without booking another session. You might begin with classic holiday clothing for timeless portraits, then change into cozy sweaters or matching pajamas for a more relaxed feel.
An outfit change gives your gallery even more variety for:
Holiday cards
Wall art
Albums
Gifts for grandparents
Social media
Year-round display
If you'd like two different looks, I'm happy to help you coordinate outfits that complement one another and photograph beautifully on your chosen holiday set. Read about flattering outfits for mom for holiday photos
Young Children Don't Have to Be Perfect
Children don't have to sit perfectly still.
They don't have to smile on command.
They don't have to cooperate every second.
With years of experience photographing babies and young children, I've learned that flexibility almost always produces better photographs than pressure.
If a child needs a break, we simply adjust.
If they're feeling playful, we photograph that.
If they need a cuddle with Mom or Dad, those often become the most meaningful portraits of the day.
Can We Include Our Dog?
In many cases, yes.
Dogs are family too, and they're welcome in many holiday sessions as long as they're friendly, comfortable around new people, and under your control.
If you'd like your dog included, let me know before your session so we can discuss your pet, the holiday set, and the best way to include them.
Many families choose to photograph the dog first while everyone is fresh, then have another family member take the dog home before the remainder of the session.
Can Grandparents or Extended Family Join Us?
Absolutely.
The holidays are one of the few times each year when multiple generations are together, making it the perfect opportunity for family portraits.
My studio is designed primarily for immediate families, but depending on the ages of the children and the holiday set you've selected, I can often accommodate extended family groups of up to six or even eight people.
With a little planning, we can photograph:
The entire extended family
Grandparents with the grandchildren
Each individual family
Cousins together
Adult siblings together
Grandparents alone
These photographs often become treasured family heirlooms for generations.
If you'd like to include extended family, simply let me know before booking so we can plan accordingly.
Your Session Moves at Your Family's Pace
No two families are exactly alike.
Some children warm up immediately.
Others need a little extra time.
Rather than rushing from pose to pose, we move at a pace that allows everyone to relax and enjoy the experience.
That relaxed atmosphere is one of the biggest reasons families return year after year.
After Your Session
After your session, I carefully review and professionally edit your images before presenting your gallery.
From there, you'll choose your favorites for:
Holiday cards
Framed wall art
Albums
Gifts for grandparents
Digital keepsakes
These photographs are meant to become part of your family's history—not just something that lives on your phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a holiday photo session last?
Most family holiday sessions last between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the collection you choose and the ages of your children.
What if my child won't smile?
That's completely normal. Rather than forcing smiles, I focus on creating genuine interactions that naturally bring out happy expressions. Some of the best photographs happen between the smiles.
Can we take photos of just the kids?
Absolutely. Many families love having sibling portraits and individual photographs of each child in addition to the full family portraits.
Can we change outfits?
Yes. Many families choose an outfit change to create two distinct looks in one session, giving them even more variety for holiday cards, albums, and wall art.
Can we include our dog?
In many cases, yes. Friendly dogs are welcome with advance planning. Let me know before your session so we can make the experience smooth for both your family and your pet.
Can grandparents or extended family join us?
Yes. Depending on the holiday set and group size, I can often accommodate groups of up to six or even eight people. We'll plan the session together to make the best use of the studio space.
What should we wear?
Solid colors, rich textures, coordinated outfits, and timeless styles photograph beautifully. Avoid large logos and busy patterns so the focus stays on your family.
Create Holiday Memories That Last
Holiday portraits are about far more than sending a Christmas card.
They're about preserving this season of your family's life—the laughter, the hugs, the personalities, and the connections that change a little every year.
Years from now, these photographs won't simply remind you what everyone looked like.
They'll remind you how it felt to be together.
Continue Planning
What If My Family Doesn’t Want Holiday Photos?
How To Coordinate Family Outfits For Holiday Photos
When Should We Schedule Family Christmas Photos?
How To Look Slimmer And More Confident In Holiday Family Portraits
