I am super excited about launching my Christmas sessions this year. So I thought I would give you an exclusive look at exactly what goes on during a Christmas session photography shoot for blog content, Instagram images
Starts with A Concept
It all starts with a concept and this year I decided to go for two themes. One around cookies and milk and the other a cool relaxing lounge. I knew I wanted to have more than one setup as this gives my clients a variety of different setups. And just general fun for me as I love designing my sets and the more the merrier. I only had space for two otherwise I would have done more!
The first setup, I used two dark wood effect backdrops on the wall and the floor. I added garlands that I hade bought from The Range to add a more festive feel to the setup. Most of my decor I source from antique stores, photography prop vendors and at car boots sale. Its all about building up the scene and adding
I know that I really wanted a red vintage lamp, weirdly enough I found the perfect one in the attic of my in-law’s house. Talk about luck!! I love the idea of having the lamplight shining as if it was the night of Christmas eve. It creates a nice woody, earthy warm feel and that is what Christmas is about. I wanted to capture that in my images as it gives a magical feeling.
I’m Dreaming of A White Christmas…
For the second setup, I ordered this lush Christmas lounge scene and added my cream flokati rug on the floor. I love being creative and I wanted to create some DIY props for my setups. These were just a few of the things that I worked on.
In the actual backdrop, you can see there are some brown presents on the floor around the Christmas tree. I wanted to make the setup look more realistic, so I decided to gift wrap some boxes in brown paper. Then finished them off with a ribbon tied in a bow!! Its all these little small elements that will make or break
I wanted to have a few baubles on the floor as props and toys but most baubles are not suitable for children with them being delicate so I bought some ordinary baubles and winded knitting wool round to create wool baubles and there we have wool baubles! Safe for babies and I thought they looked kinda neat on my rug!
Now as I am a mother of two I am fully aware that children will not sit still…period!! You might be able to squeeze in
Let The Fun Begin…
So in the Christmas session setups, I have added some small activities that children can be doing to keep them happy and content. There will be Christmas books, wooden toys and for extra bribery, there will be cookies!!! This also can create some great candid moments at your session and will give variaty to your images in your gallery.
Strike A Pose
I already had roped in my husband and kids to help model for me weeks back, so this is me and Rayah on my white setup. She does listen to me when she wants to and is more co-operative then the boy which he had just had a massive meltdown and wanted to sit on the side and observe. Children will always do what they want and you simply can’t make them do something they are not comfortable with. I would rather re-schedule a shoot then try and attempt to create a happy moment for a child who clearly doesn’t want to be here.
That is one thing I do ask of parents at any mini session especially when you are with young children. Is to help place your children where they need to be and get them to look at the camera. This is so I can fully concentrate on getting the shot I need. Children can be so unpredictable, so I need to make sure I capture the moment before I miss it. It can get totally crazy with parents singing and dancing but its all part of the fun and we all have a great time!!!
I hope you have enjoyed reading about my Christmas session setups.
My friend Sarah who is a photographer in Yeovil Somerset promoted her sessions weeks ago. She is talking about things to do in your third trimester, so if you haven’t had your baby yet or are expecting to take a look at her blog post.
For more information please visit Christmas Mini Sessions.
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me using the Contact Us page.
Hope to see you all soon, Mya x x
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Emma Sohl
9 Oct 2019So much work goes into the planning of these! Thank you for the really interesting blog x
MADELEINE ROGERS
9 Oct 2019I love seeing behind the scenes! Thank you for showing us!
Amy
9 Oct 2019So lovely! I love seeing how they came together!
Selina
9 Oct 2019I love behind the scenes photos and info, thank you for sharing!
Jill
9 Oct 2019I love how you’ve shared your process. Thank you so much. It’s amazing to see your vision come to life!
Sharon Nicholson
9 Oct 2019Love behind the scene photos
Carli
9 Oct 2019Such beautiful images, cant wait to see the finished sessions
Hannah Willis
9 Oct 2019Behind the scene photographs are equally as important. I have loved seeing these!
Nicole whyte
9 Oct 2019Great images
Clare Perry
9 Oct 2019Love seeing how you do this!!
Joanne
9 Oct 2019Love your set ups
Jay Saunders Photography.co.uk
9 Oct 2019these are soo cute!
Natalie Moss
10 Oct 2019Love your set ups. So much work goes into these. Beautiful x
Lisa
10 Oct 2019It’s great to see what goes into the sessions. Thank you
Louise
10 Oct 2019These Christmas photoshoots look so cute!
Kathryn Hill
10 Oct 2019Wow, what gorgeous Christmas images 🙂
Sarah Osborne
10 Oct 2019It’s lovely to see what goes in to these sessions x
Tianna
10 Oct 2019Beautiful photos. Love behind the scenes explanations! So much happens to create the final images.
Kirsty
10 Oct 2019What a beautiful blog <3
marie myers
10 Oct 2019I love behind the scenes photos, so much goes into planning them.
Lauren
10 Oct 2019Really interesting to see how it all works x
Brooke
11 Oct 2019Wow – love seeing these behind the scenes