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How to prepare for your Christmas Photo Shoot

So you have booked the session, now the thought of coordinating the family and picking out outfits slipped into your mind and your head is spinning! Don’t worry, thats why I am here to help. Christmas Mini Sessions are meant to be fun, so don’t let yourself get all worked up over the many tiny details. That being said, here are some little helpful hints to get the most our of your photo shoot.

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Hi, I'm Victoria, a specialist baby and child  photographer of 12 years in South Derbyshire. I am absolutely thrilled to offer these traditional styled sessions to the village of Barton-under-Needwood for the first time. I am running this event in association with the lovely Rebecca @ Barton Kids Co, and we hope to make it a permenant fixture in Bartons annual calendar of events. These Christmas sessions are a ‘mini’ version Blue Bean Photography's annual Christmas shoots which is a huge event in our local area. 

 

Photo sessions are perfect for those who want just a few images to keep as treasured keepsakes during the most wonderful time of the year! These mini shoots also make ideal Christmas gifts for family members. What grandparent doesn’t love photos of the little people in their life? This will be my 8th year of shooting for Christmas, but my first time outside of my own studio. So I’m super excited to be welcomed into your gorgeous village and meet new clients big and small.

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Photoshoot Location

Village Hall, Crowberry Lane, Barton under Needwood,
Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, DE13 8AF

Plan ahead and use Google maps to determine how long it may take you to arrive at the village hall location. Also take into consideration any traffic that may affect travel time to your Christmas mini session.

There's nothing like being prepared!

Arrive on time

Your assistance with arriving on time is so important for a successful day. When you arrive I will ask that you wait whilst other children are being photographed, purely as other clients may get distracted. There will be room for you to wait, in this area is also toilet facilities if needed. Get to bed early and get a good nights sleep. Happy children and rested parents = beautiful portraits. Make sure your little ones take their mid day nap if they still need it. If you arrive late, you’re loosing time that we could be photographing your little ones. Sessions are booked back to back and run for just 10 minutes to provide you with the best collection of images.

 

Sorry no mobile cameras

During the session you are not permitted to take any pictures with your mobile phone whilst I'm shooting. It's a quick session and this will distract children to make them look away.

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What’s included?

A 10 minute studio styled mini session with props and one beautiful seasonal backdrop, you will receive an email with a link to your online gallery which may include 3-8 images depending on how many we capture on the day. Your online gallery will be emailed to you no later than 2nd December 2022.

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Who are these sessions for?

These shoots are great for all children from 6 months to 16 years of age (up to 3 siblings). Babies must be sitting comfortably unaided.

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Cancellations / Lateness / No shows
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As these sessions are very limited, once booked these slots cannot be changed, moved, or cancelled, due to their bespoke nature, your sitting fee is non-refundable so be sure you can attend. 
Please arrive on time for your shoot, any lateness will be eaten into your session.

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Keep your style timeless!

New for 2022, we are shooting with our 'Cosy Cabin' backdrop. It's a dark and traditional style so clothing with no logos work really well, I suggest not to wear cheesy themed Christmas jumpers or fancy dress outfits, you want your images to be timeless. Remember, if your children are comfortable in their clothes, then they will be relaxed and calm during the session. To get a feel of how my existing clients dress their little ones have a look through my recent instagram posts.

 

With our mini session we only have ten minutes of shoot time, therefore there won't be time for any outfit changes. Please arrive to the studio fully dressed and ready to shoot.

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If you have siblings, it is always good to pick two or three coordinating colours that go well together and one of those colours being a neutral colour (eg red, white, denim). the children don't necessarily need to be all matching in identical outfits. Mix it up a little with textures too but stick to your colour palette. Begining with the most difficult child to dress first. Plan all other outfits around that person, remembering to coordinate colors and patterns as if you were pulling one outfit together. 

 

Consider the colours in your home when you’re planning your outfits. your portraits will ultimately hang in your home and need to fit cohesively, reflecting the personality and style of your kids!

Top tips for a successful Christmas Photoshoot

  • Arrive early! This way you are not stressed and all relaxed. If it's a bit nippy outside, we have room for you to wait and also access to the restrooms if needed.

  • Plan your children’s naps/awake times for that day if your session is during their sleep time. 

  • Feed your children before the session to ensure their full and happy. Feel free to bring anything as bribery. Blowing bubbles, rattles and their favourite teddy often work well.

  • No eating in village hall. Bring any supplies for your children to have after the session (snacks, treats, drinks, etc) We don't want crumbs or stains on those gorgeous outfits!

  • Clean your children’s faces (eyes, nose, mouth), it’s amazing what is always left for me to edit.

  • Fingernails, hair cleaned and cut. Sorry, I will not be editing special requests such as fixing chipped nail polish, stains or frizzy hair during Xmas Minis.

  • Remove all hair ties or kids watches before the shoot to ensure no marks are there. Again I cannot edit out hair ties or watches.

  • For children who may be a little nervous, we suggest showing them the little Christmas session video at the bottom of our web page to give them an idea of what to expect. I always suggest to clients that they preload their children's favourite show or nursery rhymes from Youtube on their phones ready to help settle the kids into their poses.

  • The photographer and editing team will make the decision as to what photos are edited based on smiles, focus, lighting.

  • Please note that sitting fee refunds will not be given for non compliant children.

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Let's build a connection

It is really important that you allow me to build a great connection with your children. Please let me to interact with your little one while I’m shooting before you get involved unless your child is upset, this way they’re not overwhelmed.

 

Should I require assistance, I will call you to come and join me on the floor and get their attention to help get a gorgeous smile and giggles. If I do this, please try not stand behind me as your child will tend to look up in the photographs I take, I may ask you to sit 'right next' to my camera lens, so don't be shy! My assistant on the day will be my 15 year old daughter Darcy, we call her the 'child whisperer', all children seem to gravitate to her, so if you feel that your little ones may be more responsive to a cheery teen rather than scary old me, then that's fine, she's an old hand at this now with over 180 Christmas sessions under her belt, and 450 for me, we've seen every personality, so don't worry!

 

There is no pressure on your children to perform at the session, natural shots are always best and I like to shoot in a fun, relaxed and easy manner so there is no pressure on them to be perfect or looking at the camera with big perfect smiles in every shot.

 

It is critical you supervise your children to ensure they don’t damage any props on the day. I will be running over 18 sessions in just one day and there are a lot of families who would be left disappointed if items were not available.

- BARTON VILLAGE HALL ~ PACKAGES & COLLECTIONS  -

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