Christmas Minis are short sessions, which means that a little preparation beforehand can make quite a difference. I want you to enjoy the experience rather than spend the whole morning rushing around, trying to get everyone ready and out of the house in one piece (easier said than done, I know!).
I have to admit that Christmas Minis are some of my favourite sessions of the year. There's something about the Christmas atmosphere, the excitement of the little ones and the chance to welcome so many lovely families into my studio that makes these days particularly special to me. I love seeing familiar faces coming back year after year, discovering how much the children have grown, and meeting new families who are joining me for the first time. I honestly can't wait to see you all!
So here are a few tips to help you prepare, from what to wear to how to get the kids in the right mood.
Before the session
The most important thing is that everyone arrives feeling relatively relaxed. I know that's quite an ambitious goal when you have little ones, but there are a few things you can do to make the day easier.
Get a good night's sleep. I know this time of year tends to be full of Christmas dinners, parties and end-of-year celebrations, but if you can, try not to plan a big night out the evening before your session. Going to bed at a reasonable hour will make the morning much easier for everyone (especially if you have little ones!).
Plan around naps and meal times. If you have young children, try to choose a slot that fits their usual routine. And please, feed them before coming! A hungry toddler is rarely the best company (and I'm speaking from experience).
Make the session sound fun to the kids. Try to present it as something fun we're going to do together, rather than something they have to behave perfectly for. Children pick up on our mood much more than we sometimes realise, so if you're stressed about getting them to smile and behave, they'll probably feel it too.
Tell them about the Christmas decorations, the little games we'll play, the silly faces we'll make… Make it sound like a special outing for the whole family. And please, try to avoid the usual "you must smile" or promises of treats in exchange for good behaviour. They rarely work as well as we'd hope!
Arrive 20–30 minutes early. This is particularly important for Christmas Minis, as our time together is quite short. When planning your departure, remember that it's not just about the drive: finding parking, locating the studio, taking off coats, changing the kids and doing a last-minute hair check all take time. And if you have little ones, you probably know that everything somehow takes twice as long as expected.
Roads can also be busier at weekends, so I'd recommend leaving a little extra time for traffic. I'd much rather you arrived with a few minutes to spare than rushed and stressed! After all, there'll be coffee, champagne and something delicious to eat waiting for you!
What to wear
One of the questions I get asked most often before a session is what everyone should wear. My advice is always the same: think coordinated, not matching. You want to look like a family, not like you've all been dressed in the same outfit!
The idea is to choose a colour palette that works well together and then play with different textures and styles.
What works well
A palette of 2–3 colours. Cream, deep green, burgundy, camel and dusty blue are lovely options for Christmas photos.
Different textures. Chunky knits, corduroy, velvet, wool, flannel or tulle add interest and look beautiful in photographs.
Layers. Scarves, cardigans, jackets and hats are not only practical in winter, but also add a lovely touch to your outfits.
Simple prints. A subtle plaid or small florals can work beautifully, as long as not everyone is wearing a different pattern.
Comfortable clothes. Particularly for the little ones. They'll be moving around, playing and cuddling, so make sure they can do all that without feeling uncomfortable.
What I'd avoid
Bright neon colours or having everyone dressed in exactly the same shade from head to toe.
Large logos, cartoon characters and slogans, which tend to draw attention away from your faces.
Too many different patterns competing with each other.
Anything itchy, too tight or brand new that the kids haven't tried on before. This is probably not the best occasion to discover that a beautiful new jumper is actually unbearably itchy.
A few extra tips
Start with one outfit you really love and build the rest of the family's outfits around it. It's usually much easier than trying to coordinate everyone at once.
Keep accessories relatively simple. A hat, a scarf or one special piece is more than enough.
And if you have little ones, bring a spare layer or an extra pair of tights. You never know when a puddle, a little accident or an unexpected spill might happen!
Source: Pinterest.
During the session
Once you arrive, there's really only one thing I want you to do: relax and enjoy the moment. I'll take care of the rest and guide you throughout the session.
Let the rules bend a little. I know we all try to keep some sort of routine and boundaries with our children, but perhaps Christmas Minis are not the moment to be particularly strict. Let them have a little extra fun that day: cartoons in the morning, a special breakfast, their favourite treat on the way or the chance to choose their own accessory.
The idea is for them to associate the session with something enjoyable, rather than an occasion when Mum and Dad kept telling them to behave, not get dirty and smile at the camera. Trust me, a relaxed and happy child is much easier to photograph!
And don't worry about having to bribe them or get them to behave in a particular way. Getting the little ones to connect with me and creating those authentic, emotional photographs is my job. You can leave that part to me.
Forget about perfection. If you've chosen me as your photographer, you probably already know that I'm not particularly interested in creating the perfectly posed picture of everyone looking at the camera and smiling at the same time (although we'll probably get a few of those too!).
I want you to enjoy yourselves, cuddle, laugh, play and simply be together. Embrace the little bits of chaos, the kids running around, the giggles and even the occasional grumpy face. Sometimes those are the photographs you'll love the most when you look back at them years from now.
And there's another reason why I love these sessions so much: I know that, for many of you, these photographs will become part of your family's Christmas memories. Some of you come back every year, and I get to see your little ones growing up, which is something I never take for granted. It's quite special to think that a few photographs taken in my studio might be looked at again years from now, bringing back memories of what your family was like at this particular moment in time.
After all, these pictures are not just about Christmas outfits and pretty decorations. They're about remembering your family just as it is today.
Your session-day checklist
Just to make sure you don't forget anything in the excitement (or chaos!) of getting everyone out of the house:
Outfits chosen, ironed and tried on the day before.
Kids fed and rested before the session.
Warm coats, hats, scarves and a spare layer in your bag.
Tissues, wipes and a little snack or water for the little ones.
Hairbrush and lip balm for last-minute touch-ups.
Leave home with enough time to arrive 20–30 minutes early.
And, of course, bring your smiles and a little Christmas spirit!
See you soon!
My Christmas Minis start this weekend and I only have two slots left, so if you'd like to join me, you can book your session here.
I'm really looking forward to welcoming you into my little Christmas corner! Whether you're coming back for another year or visiting my studio for the first time, I hope you'll enjoy these sessions as much as I do. Thank you for trusting me with your family memories and for allowing me to be a small part of your Christmas traditions.
Love,
Marta