I’ve been in this business for a hot minute, and I know how magical holiday photos can be.
But let’s be honest… they can also feel like herding cats while juggling candy canes in matching pajamas. Between finding something for everyone to wear, trying to get yourself ready in between meltdowns, and yelling “No , your normal smile!” across the room, sometimes it feels like the whole point gets lost.
I’m here to tell you, it doesn’t have to be that way. Holiday photos don’t have to be a stress-fest. Believe it or not, they can actually be fun, grounding, and a memory in themselves. (I’m looking at you, Dad.)
Here are five tips to help you not hate your holiday photo session… and maybe even look forward to it.
1. aLLOW EVERYONE’S Personality TO SHINE
Your toddler wants to hold their dinosaur? Let them. Your teen insists on styling themself? Perfect, build the color pallette around them. Those quirks are the little time-stamps of your life right now, and they’re the photos you’ll cherish the most later.
2. Make It About the Experience, Not the Smile
The goal isn’t to survive the session, it’s to actually enjoy it. Let them know that the time frame is manageable (that’s the beauty of minis!) and shift the focus from performing to connecting.
Try saying things like:
“We’re going to see who can get the most laughs while we’re here.”
“Show me your silliest face.”
“Is Daddy ticklish?”
and maybe even “Someone’s getting lucky tonight” ;)
The shift in energy is instant and the photos come alive with real personality.
If your kids are older, reason with them. Tell them what these photos mean to you, how they become part of your family’s story, and use this time to catch up while I capture it. Genuine laughs, quiet hugs, and even eye-rolls always photograph better than forced grins. IMO
3. Turn It Into a Tradition
Build a little ritual around your session. Pick a “sign” to see before you leave, see if it shows up by the time the night is over, grab hot cocoa afterward, or make it a tradition to bake cookies when you get home. Have a reveal party when you get your photos back and let the kids pick which photos to put in the album, or add to grandma’s gift. Suddenly, getting you pictures taken isn’t another task that no one wants to do, it’s part of your family’s holiday rhythm.
4. Redefine What a “Good” Photo Is
Forget the rigid poses. The “good” photos are the crooked smiles, the missing sock, the toddler meltdown that makes you laugh five years later. Release the idea of perfect, because your family’s truth is way better than perfect anyway.
5. Think of Photos as Time Capsules, Not Just Pictures
While these will definitely be for “The Gram” It’s more about bottling up who and where you are right now so future-you can look back and remember. Years down the road, you’ll be grateful for the wild hair, the gap-toothed grin, or the way your teen rolled their eyes, because it’s all part of your story.
At the end of the day, we want your holiday photos to be about pressing pause in the middle of the chaos and holding onto what matters most: each other!
Want to capture this season without the stress? I created my Holiday Minis to be short + sweet giving you beautiful, meaningful photos and maybe even a few new family traditions.
👉 Book Your Holiday Mini Session Here
