The holiday season is a great time to plan a family holiday mini-session, as it allows you to have a stress-free and meaningful experience with the ones you love the most—and, of course, beautiful, professional photos.
A family holiday mini-session is similar to planning a family photography session, but one of the best things about mini-sessions is that they take much less time and are really convenient—especially if you have a busy schedule.
Let’s be honest: The holidays are always pretty busy and fill up quickly, but with a mini-session, all you have to do is choose your time slot and show up.
I had the chance to photograph Sarah and Stephanie’s family and Oscar and Aaron’s family at the Sunlight Space in Los Altos, and this was the perfect backdrop for their mini-session holiday photos.
Let’s dive into why you should plan a family holiday mini-session and take a behind-the-lens look at Sarah and Stephanie’s and Oscar and Aaron’s family sessions.
Why You Should Plan a Family Holiday Mini Session
First, let’s talk about what a mini-session is and what it typically includes. A mini-session is a budget-friendly and quick professional photo opportunity.
A holiday mini-session is quick and budget-friendly, and everything from the location to the props is themed and predetermined.
Here are my top reasons why you should opt for a family holiday mini-session this year:
You’ve never had a family photography session
If you’re just starting out and growing your family and have never had a family session, a mini-session is a great place to start. You’ll still get high-quality images, and a mini-session is also really affordable.
Also, if you plan your mini-session during the holidays, you’ll have amazing photos for your holiday cards. Your session will be short and sweet and will be a fun way to capture meaningful moments with your family.
They are less overwhelming for your little ones
If you have a little one, a mini-session is the perfect option. You won’t have to try to keep them entertained for too long or worry about losing their attention. A mini-session can be a positive experience for you and your little ones, and it really is fun for the whole family!
They are a chance for you to spend time together in a meaningful way
While mini-sessions are very short, you still get the chance to enjoy time with your family and capture authentic moments together.
You want something quick and convenient
One of the most appealing reasons to book a family holiday mini-session is how quick they are. You can still get high-quality photos without having to worry about doing too much planning and prepping before your session.
Who shouldn’t book a family holiday mini-session?
While I’m a fan of mini-sessions, they might not be what you’re looking for right now—especially a holiday mini-session. I want to make sure that you are choosing the option that best matches your needs and preferences.
For instance, if you want holiday photos but aren’t a fan of the setting/props/the location the photographer chose, then a holiday mini-session that has everything mapped out for you doesn’t sound like it would be the best fit.
Usually, with a mini-session, the photographer decides in advance the location that will be used to make everything convenient and easy for families who book. You’ll want to make sure you’re happy with the place they’ve chosen and what it offers so that your expectations are misaligned.
A holiday mini-session also might not be what you’re looking for if you have a large family (or want to include uncles, aunts, grandparents, or other extended family) because there won’t be time to get photos of all the different combinations of people you want.
Also, if it takes your kids a long time to warm up and feel comfortable in front of the camera, a longer photo session would be better. The same goes for if your child is likely to need a break mid-session for tears, a sensory break, or a snack.
A full family session is perfect for you if you already know that you want to choose the location, props, etc for your session. Also, if you know that you want styling assistance, since this isn’t something that comes with a mini-session, a full family session would be a great option, as many photographers offer styling guides (including myself) as part of their full sessions.
My guide helps you choose your outfits so they’re cohesive without being too matchy-matchy. It also goes over colors that work well in my true to life color editing style, stores I recommend if you’re looking to buy something new to wear to your family photo session, and recommendations for outfits based on common locations where I do sessions.
LGBTQ+ Family Holiday Mini Session at The Sunlight Space
The Sunlight Space is my favorite photography studio to rent for my clients. With quick access to Highway 85 and I-280, the space is easily reachable from San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Cruz, and beyond.
This space is versatile and has lots of natural light. For the holidays, they do a fabulous holiday setup with neutral holiday and Christmas props and wreaths. Something that I love is that they have stunning wreaths every year for photographers to use. These wreaths are from a local florist, who you can find on Instagram: @velvetandgreenfloral.
I’ve known both Sarah and Stephanie and Oscar and Aaron for a very long time. I actually photographed Sarah and Stephanie (both she/her) at their wedding, and now they have a baby girl! Oscar and Aaron had me photograph their baby announcement last year, and now their son is nearly one.
For both their sessions, we had a lot of fun playing with the props and set pieces that included wrapped presents, ornaments, stuffed animals, Christmas trees, and more.
In this current political climate, it feels more important than ever to celebrate queer families who have been through so much to bring their little ones earthside, and I loved celebrating Sarah and Stephanie and Oscar and Aaron’s families by capturing meaningful moments during our time together.
Ready to Plan Your Family Holiday Mini Session?
A family holiday mini-session is a great way to get some beautiful family photos in a faster time frame and at a much lower price point. Also, booking a holiday mini-session with me at The Sunlight Space is a great option if you want an easy and seamless experience where everything is already set up for you!
If you’re in the Bay Area, looking for love, family, maternity, holiday mini sessions, or engagement photos, and want to work with a photographer who will fully support your nontraditional ideas and celebrate you wholeheartedly, feel free to reach out here. I can’t wait to learn more about your vision and all the ideas you have in mind.
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