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.

Photoshoot Location

The 'Old School Room', 6 Main Street, Blackfordby, Leicestershire, DE11 8AD

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

Blackfordby Village is in the Parish of the market town Ashby de la Zouch in North West Leicestershire, we are also very near to the Derbyshire and Staffordshire borders so access from the main travel routes M42, M1, M6, A444 and A38 is very easy.

If you use What3words https://w3w.co/atoms.sheet.bolt it's the simplest way to bring you right to the front door! There is plenty of parking on Main st.

Why not make a day of it and pop into one of our lovely local pubs after your session? We have 'The Black Lion' just a 100 ft up the hill where they have a great little lunchtime menu, or one of my personal favourites 'The Greyhound' up on the A511 in Woodville who provide the best carvery in the area. Or splash out on a visit to the on original 1950's American Diner cart in the UK located in the next village, booking however is highly recommended as this place is always busy due to it's popularity at the weekends!

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 families are being photographed, purely as other clients may get distracted. There will be a side door open for all to enter the space, this area also has 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 15 to 25 minutes dependent on which package is chosen to provide you with the best collection of images.

No mobiles – 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.

Let's build a connection

It is really important that you allow me to build a great connection with your children. Please let me 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 giggle. If I do this, please do not stand behind me as your child will tend to look up in the photographs I take. You'll need to sit 'right next' to my camera lens.

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. Please note, I will be running 13 sessions per day and there isn't time or resources to fix broken setups.

Keep your style timeless!

No logos if possible, 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.

Our two 'Bronze' and 'Silver' Collections are shorter sessions, therefore there won't be time for outfit changes. Please arrive to the studio fully dressed and ready to shoot. If you have booked one of our longer 'Gold' Collections and would like to change up the look of your images, how about starting your session in all of your finery and then ending the shoot with your kiddies dressed in their Christmas Pyjamas to give those cosy seasonal vibes?

What to wear?

It is always good to pick three coordinating colours that go well together and one of those colours being a neutral colour (eg red, white or denim). You 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. Beginnig with the most difficult person 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 family! Most importantly, pick 2/3 that work and choose your outfits based on that palette, more colours than that gets too busy.

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 there 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 studio. 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 editing out clothing tags, fixing chipped nail polish or frizzy hair during mini sessions.
Remove all hair ties or kids watches before the shoot to ensure no marks are there.
Parents don’t forget about yourselves if you are having your images taken too! Do your hair and make up before arriving to the session.