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Christmas mini session ideas


Christmas Mini Sessions: Ideas Families will ADORE!

Christmas mini sessions are a huge hit with families who celebrate the holiday! Make your photos extra-magical with tips from our pros.


Holiday mini sessions are perfect for every holiday, every season, and every kind of family. In this article, we’ll focus on Christmas mini session ideas!

What are Christmas Mini Sessions?

Christmas mini sessions are short holiday-themed photo shoots, with multiple clients booked back-to-back to maximize the photographer’s time, creativity, and profits. The mini session format allows families to get print-worthy pictures that are fun, fast, and less costly than booking a lengthy portrait session.

“Holiday sessions are an opportunity for families to spend time together while I’m creating beautiful images of them, capturing the love and real moments!”

—Toronto portrait photographer Bruna Rico

Trendy Inspiration for Christmas Mini Sessions Outside

“I pick my mini session themes and props depending on current trends,” says photographer and educator Rebecca Rice. “Lately, red, vintage trucks are super popular, so my Red Truck Christmas Mini Sessions have been a best-seller!”

Rebecca Rice

Where to Find Your Own Vintage Truck

If you want to go BIG and hop on the red truck trend, you might consider investing in a vintage truck, like Maine Tinker Photography did. “I use it every year!” owner and lead photographer Siobhan says.


#ShootProofPRO Tip:
The truck doesn’t even need to run if you’re only using it as a prop!

Instead of buying, you may want to rent a vintage vehicle from the owner. If your mini sessions are a financial success, you can consider a purchase later. But huge cars and trucks aren’t your only option!

Read on…

Rebecca Rice

More Ideas for Unique Christmas Props

  • vintage chairs or sofas
  • cozy blankets and quilts
  • colorful throw pillows
  • Christmas trees of any size
  • wreaths and garland
  • lanterns
  • string fairy lights
  • sparkly, oversized snowflakes
  • Santa hats
  • a handcrafted bench or church pew
  • wintery scarves
  • brightly wrapped packages
  • plush stuffed animals
  • giant candy canes
  • old steamer trunks
  • basically any and all Christmas decorations!

Maine Tinker Photography

Location Tips for Your Outdoor Christmas Mini Sessions

If you’re lucky enough to live in a snowy environment, any available park or wooded area will automatically spark holiday joy! Encourage your clients to dress warmly for the weather—and to keep their cars nearby so they can stay toasty until their session time.

Maine Tinker Photography


#ShootProofPRO Tip:
Expose for the snow so you don’t blow-out the highlights!

Keep your holiday mini sessions simple with outdoor locations that don’t even require props, such as:

  • old red barns
  • Christmas tree farms
  • a colorful town square
  • alleyways strung with garland or lights

Nicole Nero Studio

Elegant Inspiration for Christmas Mini Sessions Inside

Whether you own a studio space or rent one for the day, indoor spaces are a great choice if you want to avoid weather delays.

“My simplest holiday setup is a gray couch with a wreath hung over it. It was a hit! My clients loved how simplistic it was—and very tasteful.

—Rebecca Rice

Rebecca Rice

When shooting inside, Austin, Texas, photographer Logan Fahey suggests that you establish a health and safety plan.

“Will you spray props down between sessions? Can you provide hand sanitizer? Will you be wearing a mask?” asks Logan. “Think about these things ahead of time, and make sure your clients know what precautions you are taking so they feel safe.”

Bruna Rico

Holiday Mini Session Posing Tips

A mini photo session is short by definition, so you’ll want to have a few go-to poses planned out in advance. Know where you’ll have people sit or stand, and prepare a space that works for even your largest family grouping.

Posing doesn’t have to be complicated, though. Bruna shares, “I like to pose my clients first, and then I ask them to tell each other jokes, give tickles, and share a big family hug!”

Logan Fahey

Be a Smart Scheduler

“I found my sweet spot for minis is to schedule 15-minute sessions back-to-back in a block of two to three hours,” says Rebecca. Don’t forget to add a five minute break between each session so you can sanitize, set-up, and rehydrate before your next family.

Logan Fahey

Christmas Mini Session Packages & Prices

“My minis include five digital images with a print release, and I up-sell the additional digital images,” explains Rebecca.

To further boost your profits, learn from The Blumes’ savvy approach. They incorporate a gently guided presentation that always results in exciting sales and earnings!

Rebecca Rice

Easy Ideas for Christmas Minis Marketing

“Use a real family in your promo shots,” instructs Rebecca. “Your minis are way more likely to book if there’s a real family in your photo instead of just a picture of your setup!”

Reward some friends or past clients with a free mini session in exchange for their permission to use their images for advertising. Choose photogenic people who take instructions well so you get the best marketing photos possible. Remember: your goal is to entice new paying clients!

Rebecca Rice

Market to as Many People as Possible

“Posting to your instagram and business Facebook pages isn’t enough,” Rebecca says. To get your mini sessions in front of a larger audience, consider these marketing tips:

  • post to local Facebook groups
  • purchase targeted ads on social media
  • email your list of previous clients and inquirers
  • partner with a local business who can help promote you (like the aforementioned Christmas tree farm)

Rebecca Rice

A Sample Marketing Timeline

“Give yourself PLENTY of time to market!” Rebecca says—and we can’t agree more! For the ultimate results, your marketing timeline may look something like this:

  • August: choose your photography backdrops, design your family Christmas setup, and photograph your models
  • September: create your promotional materials and launch your marketing campaigns
  • October: photograph your mini sessions on one or more days
  • November: hold your virtual sales presentations so prints and Christmas photo cards can be delivered in time for the holiday
  • December: deliver your clients’ products and handwritten thank you notes

Nicole Nero Studio

Sprinkle Some Extra Magic on Your Minis…

Logan makes her mini sessions extra special by giving each client a little gift bag.

“Throw in some candy canes, chocolates, and other fun treats!” Logan shares. “I also include a ‘next steps’ card that tells them when their ShootProof gallery will be ready, along with any other details they should know.”

Want to shoot amazing mini sessions all year ’round?

Check out our resources for:

  • Make BIG Money with Mini Sessions
  • The Complete Guide to Mini Sessions
  • Fun Mini Session Posing
  • Winter Photography Tips
You’ll have a thriving new photography niche in no time!

Written by ANNE SIMONE | Featuring BRUNA RICO | LOGAN FAHEY | MAINE TINKER PHOTOGRAPHY | NICOLE NERO STUDIO | REBECCA RICE


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Christmas Mini Session Ideas & Tips

We've put together some Christmas mini session ideas and tips to help with the stress of planning your holiday sessions.  Holding Christmas mini sessions can be rewarding and profitable, with the right planning and organization. You do not need a lot of props, often times a backdrop and just a couple of props are perfect. 

Choose a theme

Decide on a theme. If you are shooting more than one Christmas mini session theme, offer each theme on a different date. This will save you the stress of setting up multiple sets on the same day. 

Market Your Christmas Mini Sessions 

No matter how talented you are, your mini sessions will not be a success without a good marketing campaign. Promote your mini sessions on social media websites, like Facebook and Instagram, about a month before your mini sessions. Hazy Skies Designs has a large variety of Christmas mini session templates to help save you time. You will also want to post your marketing material on your blog and send out a newsletter. Be sure to let your clients know that you have limited spots available. It will encourage clients to hurry and book before the spots are filled. You can also call "VIP" clients and let them know that you will be opening up mini session dates. Encourage them to hurry and grab a spot before everyone else is notified. 

Scheduling Your Christmas Mini Sessions  

It's best to schedule all of your mini sessions one after another, on the same day. If you are shooting multiple themes, shoot one theme a day. Allow a maximum of 3o minutes for each session and don't forget to schedule breaks for yourself. Ask clients to arrive 10-15 minutes early so you do not fall behind schedule. Require full payment in advance so you do not have to worry about collecting any payments on the day of your mini sessions. When clients are booking their mini session, save your self time by also scheduling their viewing session for a later date.   

Before Clients Arrive 

Before your first client arrives, you'll need to assemble your backdrop, lighting, and any props you are using. Have everything ready the night before, if possible. If you are still putting your set up together when the first client arrives, it will put all of your sessions behind schedule. Be sure to take test shots with a subject, in advance, and look at the test shots on a computer screen, to see if any unwanted shadows or flaws appear. Go over all of your equipment to be sure everything is working properly.

Don't Over Do it 

Stay on schedule. If you've allotted 30 minutes for each session, stick to that time frame and do not go over. Don't shoot too many photos. If you take too many photos, the process of editing and making proofs with take longer. Carefully choose which images to create. While it's true that you won't want to take too many shots for each session, be sure to create enough different images - from full-length to close-up, and at different angles - so that you'll be able to sell more than one print. 

During the Sessions

Mini sessions are fast passed, so you won't have time to coax little ones into behaving for the camera. Have a few treats on hand to improve children's attitudes. Recruit a parent to stand off camera to persuade their small children to smile, laugh and be themselves. 

Make sure the environment is comfortable and inviting. If for any reason your clients have to wait, you don't want bored and cranky kids. It will show on camera. Have a nice seating area with toys for kids. Set up a table with snacks and refreshments.  

Find someone to help out of the day of your mini sessions. If you do not have an assistant, ask a friend or a spouse to help. 

With the proper planning and prepping, Christmas mini sessions are a terrific way to offer your clients images that they'll value and share. 

Below, are some Christmas mini session themes, to give you ideas for your holiday sessions. 

Christmas fireplace mini sessions with the "Plaid Christmas Fireplace" photo backdrop. 

Home for the holiday mini sessions with the "Red Christmas Door" photography background.  

Our Miracle on 34th Street mini sessions with the "Miracle on 34th Street" backdrop. 

Christmas gingerbread house mini sessions with the "Candyland Gingerbread House" photography backdrop.

North Pole mini sessions with the "To the North Pole" photo backdrop. 

Another option for North Pole mini sessions with our "Sleigh Ride Set Up" photography backdrop. 

Night before Christmas mini sessions with our "Christmas Window" photo backdrop. 

Christmas toy shop mini sessions with the "Christmas Toy Shop" backdrop.  

Hot chocolate mini sessions with the "Hot Chocolate Stand" photo backdrop. 

Christmas pajama mini sessions using the "Christmas Wreath Headboard" backdrop.

Christmas lights mini sessions with our "Twinkle Lights and Sparkle" bokeh backdrop. 

Winter wonderland mini sessions with the "Winter Wonderland Trees" photography background. 

Christmas baking mini sessions or milk and cookies mini sessions with the "Christmas Kitchen" photo backdrop.  

Candy cane mini sessions with the "Candy Canes" photography backdrop. 

The "Christmas Barn Doors" photo backdrop is perfect for winter mini sessions.