A Christmas mini session with us is 25 minutes in our Christmas set, with 12 edited photos delivered to a private online gallery within 7 days, for $225. It is built for families who need a great card photo and a handful of portraits without committing to a full hour. Here is exactly how we use those 25 minutes, and when you are better off with something longer.
What is included in a Christmas mini
The Holiday Mini is the same simple package for every themed set. For Christmas, it covers:
- 25 minutes in our studio, in the Christmas set
- the set's backdrop and accessories, so you bring nothing but your family and your outfits
- 12 edited photos, chosen and finished by us
- a private online gallery within 7 days
- no payment at booking: you pay on the day, after the session
We send the studio address and our outfit color guide with your confirmation email. The set itself is ready before you walk in, so the clock goes to photos, not to setup.
Who a mini suits, and who it does not
A mini is a good fit for:
- couples who want a festive portrait for a card or a gift
- a parent and one child
- families with kids around four and up who are comfortable meeting new people
- anyone who already knows the one photo they need
- families who do a full session at another time of year and want a quick Christmas update
It is a harder fit for families with a baby and a toddler, kids who need twenty minutes to warm up to strangers, or anyone hoping for a big variety of looks. Twenty-five minutes is enough time for a lot of good photos, but not for a slow start.
How we run the 25 minutes in the Christmas set
We plan every mini the same way: the most important shot first, while everyone is fresh, then we work outward. A typical plan looks like this.
- Minutes 0 to 3: hello and settle. Coats off, a quick introduction, and the kids get to look at the tree and the gifts up close. A child who has touched the set is a child who will sit in it.
- Minutes 3 to 10: the card photo. The whole family together, in a few arrangements: everyone looking at us, everyone looking at each other, a squeeze-in hug, the kids on a parent's lap. This is the frame most families send, so it gets the best of everyone's energy.
- Minutes 10 to 16: the kids. Siblings together, then each child on their own. Small tasks work better than poses here: hang an ornament, shake a wrapped gift, whisper a secret to your brother.
- Minutes 16 to 21: the grown-ups. Parents together, then each parent with the kids. This part is often skipped by families who do photos on their own, and years later these are the photos parents are glad to have.
- Minutes 21 to 25: the wild card. Your requested idea, or a silly one to finish on a laugh. Some of the best frames come from this last stretch, when everyone has stopped trying.
How to get the most out of a short session
The difference between a rushed mini and a relaxed one is almost always what happens before you arrive.
- Arrive a few minutes early and fully dressed. Hair done, shoes on, coats ready to come off.
- Bring one outfit per person. Outfit changes are a full-session luxury. In a mini they eat a fifth of your time.
- Feed everyone first. A hungry three-year-old has about four minutes of patience. Bring a snack that does not stain for afterwards.
- Tell us your must-have shot when you book. If you want the kids reading a book under the tree, we plan around it. Our list of Christmas card photo ideas has more to choose from.
- Let us do the directing. You do not need to say "smile" or "look at the camera." We use games and prompts that get real expressions, and kids usually respond better to a new face than to a parent asking for the fourth time.
What the 12 photos usually cover
We choose and edit the 12 strongest frames from the session. A typical mix we aim for:
- three or four of the whole family, including at least one clear card option
- two or three of the kids together
- one of each child alone
- one or two of the parents
- a detail or a candid in-between moment, like small hands on a gift tag
If you want to see how we would plan a specific family's mini from arrival to gallery, read Example Session: A 25-Minute Christmas Mini for a Family of Four. It is a plan, not a real booking, but it shows the thinking.
When a full session is the better choice
The Family Studio Session is 60 minutes, two sets or backdrops, both of us photographing, 35 edited photos, $395. It is worth the step up when:
- you have a child under three, or more than one child under five
- you want the Christmas set plus a classic portrait that works all year
- each child needs solo portraits
- you want enough photos for an album or a wall, not just a card
If grandparents are joining, look at Big Family & Generations instead: 90 minutes, up to 12 people, 50 edited photos, $595. We go through the decision in more detail in Holiday Mini or Full Session? How to Choose.
Quick answers
How many people fit in a Christmas mini?
The mini works best for a couple or a family of three to five. With more people, each grouping takes longer, and 25 minutes runs out fast. For grandparents and cousins, the Big Family & Generations session gives you the time you need.
Can our dog come to a Christmas mini?
Tell us when you book. Dogs often need a few minutes to calm down in a new room, so a full session usually suits them better. Our guide to Christmas photos with your dog explains how we plan for pets.
When should I book a Christmas mini for cards?
Early to mid November gives you the most comfortable margin for printing and mailing. Our holiday card photo timeline works backwards from your mailing date.
Book your session
Choose the Holiday Mini, the Christmas set and your date on the booking page. You can also see the set details on the themes page before you decide.