Christmas Mini Session Experience & Style Guide
Christmas is right around the corner, and I couldn't be more excited to capture some sweet memories with your family! This year's Christmas Minis are all about cozy moments, genuine connections, and timeless photographs you'll treasure for years to come. To help you prepare, I've put together this little guide with everything you need to know before your session—from choosing the perfect outfits to getting your little ones camera-ready. So grab a cup of coffee, get comfortable, and let's get you ready for your Christmas Minis!
Cozy, timeless, and beautifully coordinated.
WHAT TO WEAR
FOR YOUR
CHRISTMAS MINIS
One of the most exciting parts of preparing for your Christmas Mini Session is choosing what everyone will wear! This year's studio features soft natural light, beautiful greenery, warm wood tones, and a classic Christmas tree decorated with cream and chocolate-brown ornaments. To complement this cozy setting, I recommend choosing warm neutrals, earthy tones, and rich seasonal colors. Think soft sweaters, beautiful textures, and outfits that feel comfortable while still looking put together.
The goal isn't to match perfectly, but to coordinate colors and textures that complement one another while allowing your family's personality to shine!
Our Christmas Color Palette
These are the colors I recommend for this particular studio setup.
Outfit Inspiration for the Whole Family
Not sure what to wear? I've got you covered! Here are a few outfit ideas that will
complement our cozy Christmas studio beautifully.
For Mom.
Think flowy midi or maxi dresses, soft knit dresses, cozy sweaters paired with skirts, or tailored trousers. Dresses with subtle movement, delicate details, and soft textures photograph beautifully. Colors like ivory, chocolate brown, burgundy, sage, and muted florals are wonderful choices.
For Dad.
Keep it classic and comfortable! Knit sweaters, textured henleys, button-down shirts, or polos paired with chinos or tailored pants are great options. Stick with warm neutrals like camel, oatmeal, chocolate brown, forest green, or cream. A layered look with a sweater over a collared shirt can add a polished touch.
For Little Boys & Big Boys.
Think cozy sweaters, henleys, button-down shirts, corduroy pants, or chinos. For younger boys, sweater rompers and knit sets are adorable options! Older boys can keep things simple with a textured sweater and neutral pants. Shades of cream, olive, camel, and brown work beautifully.
For Little Girls & Big Girls.
Flowy dresses, velvet dresses, knit dresses, or skirts paired with soft sweaters are perfect for this setup. For little girls, delicate bows, tights, and Mary Jane shoes add the sweetest finishing touches. Older girls can opt for midi dresses, sweater dresses, or a pretty blouse with a skirt. Burgundy, ivory, dusty blue, sage, and chocolate brown are lovely choices.
A Few Styling Tips:
- Coordinate, don't match. Choose two or three complementary colors for your family instead of dressing everyone in the exact same shade.
- Mix in texture. Cable knits, linen, corduroy, velvet, and soft cotton add beautiful dimension to photographs.
- Keep patterns simple. Solid colors and subtle patterns photograph best. Avoid large logos, bold graphics, neon colors, and overly busy prints.
- Think about comfort. Especially for the little ones! Choose outfits they can comfortably sit, stand, snuggle, and move around in.
- Don't forget the shoes! Neutral boots, loafers, Mary Janes, or simple dress shoes are great options. Avoid brightly colored athletic shoes when possible.
And remember, these are simply suggestions! I want your family to feel comfortable, confident, and most importantly, like yourselves.
Preparing Your Little Ones
Happy kiddos, sweet snuggles, and genuine smiles!
Let's talk about the little ones! As a family photographer, I know that getting everyone dressed, out the door, and ready for pictures can sometimes feel like an adventure all on its own! But don't worry! A little preparation goes a long way, and I'm here to help make your Christmas Mini Session as relaxed and enjoyable as possible.
Here are a few tips to help set your kiddos up for success!
1. Make Sure They're Rested & Fed
A well-rested kiddo with a full tummy is a happy kiddo! Try to plan naps and meals around your session time. Bringing along a small, mess-free snack is always a good idea, too!
2. Talk About the Session Ahead of Time
Get your little ones excited! Let them know they'll be visiting a cozy Christmas studio, seeing a beautiful Christmas tree, and taking pictures with their favorite people. Keep it fun and positive!
3. Don't Stress About Perfect Smiles
You don't have to practice saying "cheese" or worry about everyone looking at the camera the entire time. Some of the sweetest photographs come from natural giggles, cuddles, and genuine interactions.
4. Bring a Little Comfort
If your child has a favorite small toy or comfort item, feel free to bring it along! Sometimes having something familiar nearby makes all the difference. We can always tuck it away when they're ready.
5. Let Them Be Little!
Wiggles, giggles, shy moments, and big personalities are all welcome here! I'll gently guide your family throughout our time together, so there's no need to put pressure on your little ones to perform.
6. Arrive Ready for Some Fun!
Our sessions are short and sweet, so having everyone dressed and ready before arriving will help us make the most of our time together.
One Last Thing, Parents!
Your kiddos don't have to be perfectly behaved for us to capture beautiful memories. Take a deep breath, love on your babies, and enjoy the moment. I'll take care of the rest! After all, it's those genuine little moments that make your family's story so special.
What to Expect During Your Christmas
Mini Session
Short, sweet, and full of Christmas cheer!
The big day is almost here, and I can't wait to welcome your family into our cozy Christmas studio!
Christmas Minis are designed to be a fun, relaxed, and memorable experience. Our time together may be short, but we'll make every minute count!
Here are a few things to keep in mind before your session.
Arrive A Little Early
Please plan to arrive about 5–10 minutes before your scheduled session. This gives you time to park, make any last-minute outfit adjustments, and get everyone ready. Because sessions are scheduled back-to-back, we'll begin promptly at your reserved time. Arriving late may result in a shorter session, so please plan accordingly!
Come Camera-Ready
Please have everyone dressed and ready for photos before arriving. Take a moment to check outfits, fix little flyaway hairs, and wipe those sweet faces before stepping into the studio.
What Happens During Our 10 Minutes?
Don't worry about knowing how to pose—that's my job! I'll gently guide your family through a variety of poses and natural interactions. We'll capture a mix of classic portraits, sweet snuggles, and genuine moments together. For families with little ones, we'll keep things moving and fun to help hold their attention.
A Cozy Space for Your Family
The studio is filled with beautiful natural light, soft neutral tones, and a timeless Christmas setting. With the space being intimate, these sessions are designed for individual households, allowing us to comfortably capture your family without feeling crowded.
Relax & Enjoy the Moment
You don't need to worry about getting everything perfect. Just focus on loving on your people, sharing a few laughs, and enjoying these sweet Christmas memories together.
I'll take care of the rest! 🤎
A LITTLE THANK YOU 🤎
Before I wrap things up, I just want to say thank you!
Thank you for choosing Erica Sharp Photography to capture a little piece of your family's Christmas season. Whether this is your first session with me or you're a returning family, I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to document these sweet moments.
My hope is that your session is more than just taking pictures. I want it to be a chance to slow down, love on your people, share a few laughs, and create memories you'll cherish long after the Christmas decorations are packed away.
Remember, you don't have to show up with everything perfectly put together. Just bring your beautiful family, and we'll capture the magic in the moments that unfold.
I can't wait to see you and create something special together!
