Looking for ways to stand out as a professional photographer this holiday season? Try adding holiday mini-sessions to your repertoire. Not only do mini photo sessions give you something fun to share on social media, but they’ll also help you stand out from the crowd of other photographers competing for attention.
This article will give you some ideas on how you can get started with holiday mini sessions as a family photographer.

What is a Holiday Mini-Session?

A holiday mini session is a short photo shoot that's usually timed around the holidays. They can be as short as about 30 minutes and are often designed for quick family photos, individual portraits, or even couples’ sessions. They’re also usually priced lower than a full-length photo shoot, making them a great option for families who are short on time or on a tight budget this holiday season.
Mini sessions are a fun way to get started in the world of photography, and they’re a great way to appeal to busy clients who may not have time for a standard photo shoot. Typically, mini sessions have the expectation that there are less photos captured compared to a full-length photo session, which means you can do a bunch of these sessions over a weekend day and turn a good profit if you go about, it the right way.
A great time to host mini sessions is right after Thanksgiving, the start of December. These can be great sessions that produce the perfect holiday card photos that your clients can share with their family. With mini sessions it can be helpful to pick a theme for the photoshoot and then offer multiple time slots to your clients. This way you are taking advantage of the beautiful set you have created, while also welcoming in as many clients as you can.
Here are three great themes that you could use for your next holiday mini session:

Winter Wonderland

If you’re searching for a unique setting, consider taking your clients outside on a cold day in winter. A winter mini session can be a great way to create photos that have a holiday feeling without having to spend a lot (or any) money on decorations. Of course, you might also consider shooting your mini session indoors, especially if you’re in a colder climate. You can decorate your studio with fake snow, candy canes, and anything else that says, “It’s winter and we’re loving it”.

Elegant Fireplace

If you want to create a more traditional setting, consider using a fireplace. You can go with a realistic fireplace, though make sure your clients are safe while posing next to the fireplace, or you can go with a faux fireplace. Adding a few antique chairs and asking your clients to arrive in polished holiday wear, this is a great opportunity to capture a classic family portrait. Garland and stockings would be a great prop to decorate the fireplace mantal with to tie in the holiday spirit.

A Christmas Tree with Props, Decor, and Lights

If you’re hosting mini sessions at your studio and have easy access to a Christmas tree, consider having your clients dress the tree with ornaments, decorations, and lights. This can be a fun way to create photos that really stand out and the whole shoot shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes. That said, if you’re shooting a mini session that involves dressing a Christmas tree, make sure you partially decorate the tree ahead of time so that it won’t look bare for photos. Allowing your clients to add their own spin on holiday decorations will create unique photos.

How to Promote Holiday Mini Sessions as a Professional Family Photographer

Mini sessions are a great way to appeal to busy clients and get new clients in the door. However, to really stand out from the crowd, you’ll need to come up with a few unique promotions that will help you get the word out about these mini sessions. Here are a few ideas to help you get started:

Social Media

You want to advertise your mini sessions on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. This allows you a great opportunity to share that you’re hosting mini session on a specific day, what the theme will be, and how to contact you if they’re looking to book. Through a social media posting you will be able to reach both new and established clients who may be looking for a quick holiday family photo session.

Email Newsletter

When you’re planning your next mini session, don’t forget about your dedicated clients who have booked previous sessions with you. Add a blurb do your monthly or weekly email newsletter that you send to your clients, sharing the mini session opportunity. Don’t forget to provide ample detail about the session and highlight the great opportunity to get fresh holiday card photos.

Print Packages

Once you have booked your mini session time slots, the promoting doesn’t stop there. In preparation for your mini sessions, you will want to put together three or four print packages specifically for your clients to purchase once they see their final photos. These packages can rank from least expensive with a few products, to most expensive with the most products. Keep in mind that your clients will be on a time-crunch around the holiday season, so keep it simple. If they’re looking to gift prints to family, share with them your “Gifting Bundle” this could include an Acrylic Block, a few Easel-back prints, and a bunch of Photographic Prints. You want your clients print purchasing process to be as seamless and stress-free as possible so they can get back to focusing on the holidays, knowing they have great family portraits to share with their family.

Conclusion

Holiday mini sessions are an easy way to create memorable holiday photos for your clients. You can create unique and memorable holiday mini sessions by shooting in unique locations and with holiday themed props, costumes, and decorations. Don’t forget to spread the word about your mini sessions on social media and your email newsletter. Keeping in mind what your clients are looking for during the holiday season will help you stand out from the crowd as a professional family photographer.