Creating Holiday Magic: A Studio Portrait Experience with Santa Claus

The holiday season is such a wonderful and special time for me personally. I love being the magic maker in my family, and getting to extend that to my clients is such an honor, and one that I don’t take lightly! This year, for the second time, we welcomed Santa Claus to the studio for our annual portrait event! I absolutely adored having the big guy with us and truly enjoyed watching all of the little ones interact with this magical fellow.

Part of our Santa experience extended beyond the studio doors. The children each received letters from Santa and I loved being the one to create and seal them with the official “Santa Claus” wax seal. I can only imagine the absolute magic it created for our little guests. In the studio, I set to gathering everything for the gift bags, planning the cookies with Saratoga’s talented cookie artist, Kelly from Cookie Tastic and planning just the right tasks and activities and prompts for the kids to fully enjoy their visit with Santa Claus. It was important to me that this experience was more than just a chance for a photo with Santa. The portrait experience is about so much more!

This year the children helped Santa Claus polish his sleigh bells so that the reindeer could wear them on Christmas Eve. They read “Twas the Night Before Christmas” and found their names on the Nice List scroll. The children also looked inside his official leatherbound book (where they were written in magical ink that only Santa and the elves can see!). Beyond that, each child had the chance to sing and laugh with Santa, too. It was so special to watch each interaction unfold right in front of our eyes. One of my other favorite parts was that each child received an official “Santa’s Helper Certificate” after helping Santa get everything ready. It was truly an unforgettable experience, and I loved seeing all of the families that joined us at the studio for this event.

Thank you to the following Saratoga Springs businesses who helped bring this magical holiday experience to life:

Cookies: Cookie Tastic
Garland: Journey Decor
Santa: Wilton Santa John

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Top 10 Tips for Clients Before their Holiday Mini Session

I’m so excited to be welcoming families to the studio in just a few short weeks for our holiday and Santa sessions. They’re some of my favorite magical moments as a photographer and I love being able to create an atmosphere that is fun and joyful. While there is a lot that falls on me to create that space for the children (and families) that enter my space, there’s a few things that parents can do to help us have a holly jolly good time together during their holiday mini session! Below are my top 10 tips for planning, scheduling, and enjoying your holiday mini session!  

1. Schedule wisely around your children’s nap times.

Timing matters!  Schedule your session for a time when your children will be well-rested.  If your photographer is offering morning sessions, the earlier time slots usually work out best for little ones when they’re still coming off of a good night’s sleep.

2. Fill those bellies up with snacks & a full meal before the session.

Hungy kids are cranky kids, but full bellies will yield lots of smiles and cooperation!  Trust me on this one.  ;o)

3. Keep your phone (and any apps or Youtube videos) hidden during the session.

Mini sessions are short & sweet, and your photographer has a whole arsenal of tricks to capture your child’s attention and get the very best smiles from them.  Pulling out the phone to put on their favorite song or video often leads to more time spent trying to get the phone away from them than actual smiles in front of the camera.  Tell the photographer ahead of time if your child has a favorite song they respond to, and your photographer can cue it up on their phone or on the Alexa in their studio.

4. Coordinate your outfits.

Choose outfits that complement each other without being completely matchy-matchy.  Stick to a cohesive color palette.  For holiday sessions, I am a huge fan of neutrals, deep forest green, gold, silver, navy, a hint of red (but not with Santa because he will be all in red!).  You may even consider unexpected and rich jewel tones for a fresh take on holiday portraits.

5. Try on everyone’s outfits ahead of time.

From shirts and dresses, to tights and shoes.  Try on every piece of clothing and give every accessory a test-run so that your children can be comfortable in them.  Particular “pain points” that I’ve had families experience who have not tried everything on are: sweaters or tulle dresses that are too itchy (put a layer underneath them to protect the skin); baby pants that are too tight on the waist so they cannot sit up comfortably (most common on babies 6-12 months); forgetting to plan for shoes in the dressy portraits (barefoot is fine for holiday pjs).

6. Think ahead for holiday cards.

If you have a certain template that you love, keep in mind the layout of the card when choosing your favorite family portraits for the card.  This is especially important if all of your favorite portraits are horizontal/landscape orientation, but your template is vertical/portrait orientation.  Be flexible, or let your photographer know ahead of time that you mostly want a particular orientation of family portraits.

7. Be prepared.

Arrive a bit early to get everyone settled. Bring snacks, water, and any comfort items for younger kids. Consider packing a change of clothes for little ones in case of spills. Being prepared will help everyone relax and enjoy the experience.

8. Keep it fun.

The most important part of a mini session is to have fun! Keep the mood light and playful. If kids are involved, don’t stress if they’re not posing perfectly—some of the best moments happen when they’re just being themselves. A bit of silliness can result in some truly memorable photos.

9. There is so much more that you can do with these photos than just holiday cards!

Ornaments, framed prints that you display every winter, a keepsake album to look through every year as your children grow, and gifts for family are just a few ideas.  Just remember that the possibilities don’t stop with a 5x7 card.

10. Enjoy the moment.

Finally, remember that this is a time to celebrate your family.  Take a moment to breathe, enjoy the time together, and focus on each other rather than just the camera.  Your love and connection will shine through in the photos, making them even more special and treasured.

I can’t wait to welcome you to the studio! If you still need to book your holiday session, check out all the details here! 

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What makes our Santa Experience Stand Out: Saratoga Springs Holiday and Santa Photo Sessions

I can’t believe it’s already time to start talking about our Santa experience, but at the same time, I can’t complain at all… I LOVE Christmastime! Over the last few years, I’ve worked so hard behind the scenes to create a truly magical and special Santa experience in my Saratoga Springs studio. As a mom, this time of year has also been special in my personal life and watching the magic come to life in my own two children’s eyes is more meaningful than anything else. Honestly, it’s the reason I love our Santa sessions so much!  We truly are bringing that magic to life, and watching kids' faces light up with joy and wonder. There’s nothing else like it! 

Today, I wanted to talk about what makes our Santa experience so special each year. Part of making magic is about creating a full experience - that starts before your family ever steps foot inside my Saratoga Springs studio. Here’s what happens:

The week leading up to the session they receive a letter in the mail from Santa Claus. That letter is addressed to your child inviting them to come and meet Santa. The elves make sure to use special North Pole stationary and stamps, finished off with a hand-poured wax seal. This sets the tone for an unforgettable experience for your child. 

Last year they were invited to the studio to help Santa finish painting nutcrackers that the elves forgot to finish. The kids had a blast using magic paint that appeared in their favorite colors! It was incredible to watch them light up as they worked alongside the big guy! Many of our little ones also wanted to sing carols with Santa and tell him some jokes! 

While sitting with Santa, each child has the chance to help check the Nice List - you can never be too careful, right? Watching the wonder in their eyes when they found their name on the Nice List was amazing! 

Of course, each child will also have the chance to share their wish list or letter to Santa with him. I don’t know if there’s any moment more meaningful than that to me as a parent! 

My own son decided all by himself he needed to bake Santa cookies last year, and he brought him homemade cookies to share! He even wanted to give Santa a gift, and he picked out a chocolate orange (his favorite thing to receive in his stocking every Christmas) and gave it to Santa because he thought he would like to receive one, too. I love that the interactions we create with this Santa experience are so personal and relaxed. It’s really about your child and what they want or need at the moment. 

I know that planning holiday sessions can be stressful for parents. They never know how their child will react and they worry it will impact the session. Perhaps the biggest concern: Will they cry? Here’s the truth: Some kids might. But honestly, most do not! 

Last year my daughter (age 1.5) was the only child all day who shed a tear all day, and that was likely because she just wanted to be with mommy who was shooting the session! I have a whole workflow planned out to capture happy photographs before the kids even spot Santa Claus in the room, and then we move through some more portraits together using songs, toys, and distraction to keep little ones happy who might otherwise be afraid. Santa has years of experience with little ones, and we employ endless patience to create the most adorable portraits of your children and to give them a beautiful, happy experience with Santa.

I promise you, creating a magical experience for your little one is the most important thing to me. I want them to remember these special moments for many holidays to come - and that comes from creating a positive and inspired environment where they can be who they want to be - all while visiting with Santa!

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My annual July 4 photos of Grayson and Adelaide

Every year, since the summer of 2018 when Grayson was born, I’ve pulled out this beautiful patriotic backdrop and captured my children’s 4th of July photos. It’s become our annual tradition since 2018, and I don’t plan on stopping any time soon! This all began because I had a cake smash that summer for a little boy born on the fourth of July (hi, Oscar!). My son was a few months old at the time, and as a new mom, I was constantly bringing him into the studio for baby portraits. I remember taking photos of him on the handmade backdrop, and then I pulled it out again the next summer, and a tradition began! 

Now I am so lucky to have two little ones to join me in these cute Americana portraits, and I love our little summer tradition. We print them out in our annual photo album every year, and they love looking back through the albums and seeing how they’ve grown. I’m hopeful to get at least a few more years of this!

During these sessions, I love to capture each of my babies and their unique personalities - but as a mama, I also love documenting them together. They’re both so sweet and seeing them love each other in portraits like these is something I know I will treasure forever! 

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Our 2023 Holiday Portrait Sessions in Saratoga Springs

I always look forward to our holiday portrait event, and this year was no exception! Each year, I am reminded of how lucky I am to have so many families that come to the studio year after year for their holiday portraits! It’s always a joy getting to catch up with them and see how their kids have grown. Plus, it’s so much fun coming up with our setups each year! Honestly, I really do look forward to these holiday portrait sessions each winter. 

For this year, I wanted to create something really special! When I first saw these golden arches I knew that they would be incredibly versatile and that they would look gorgeous with garland & some sparkly ornaments. I love how this turned out! I think it’s such a classic holiday look. It was the perfect spot for kids to warm up to me and get ready for more portraits!

We always create two setups in the studio for families to have some variety in their holiday portraits, and you know I’m a big fan of neutrals because of how timeless they are. This year I found the perfect stockings with little pearl accents, and I love the simple & luxurious touch that they added to our setup alongside my simple Christmas tree. 

To every family that came to celebrate the holidays with me this year, thank you! It was so special to have you in the studio and I hope you have a wonderful season with your loved ones! 

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Tips for successful holiday portrait sessions

Holiday portraits are always a super fun time in the studio, but I know they can feel stressful for families. Everyone wants the perfect smiling photo of their families to send out on the cards or share online, so I get it. That’s why I’m sharing a few tips for successful holiday portrait sessions with you today. Some are way easier than you think! And I want to reassure you: no matter what, we will have a holly jolly time together and I’ll capture gorgeous portraits of your families. As as seasoned photographer (and mom), you can trust that you’re in good hands!

#1: Schedule your session when your children are happiest!

For younger kinds, this is especially important. Think about the time of your day your children are in the best moods, good listeners, and cooperative. Generally that means right after a nap or first thing in the morning. If your kids are older, consider a later appointment if they’re usually in good moods then!

#2: Come dressed and ready to go!

By showing up in the outfits you want the family to wear, we can ensure no time is wasted in the studio. If you’re ready when you arrive, we’ll jump right in! And if you are going to change outfits (like into cute Christmas pajamas), do that last. It’s way easier for everyone to relax near the end instead of changing into something more formal at the end.

#3: Make sure your outfits fit.

We’re all busy - but take the time to try on your outfits the week before your session to make sure everyone fits. Encourage your little ones to wear their outfits for at least half an hour so they’re prepared to wear it in the studio. Make sure tights, shoes, and accessories look good together. This also allows your kids to get used to the feelings of the fabrics. Holiday outfits are often different than every day outfits!

#4: Have snacks beforehand.

This is a super easy tip! Simply make sure your kids have eaten. Full bellies = happy kids! The same goes for babies or big kids, too. Everyone’s less grouchy when they’ve eaten. It never fails!

#5: Don’t underestimate the power of a bribe!

No judgement here! I keep snacks in the studio for kids to have after we finish their portraits, and it's amazing how a package of goldfish crackers or chocolate chip cookies can get them to smile and hug their siblings. Seriously.

#7: Keep your cool!

This one’s for the parents out there. Don't stress if your kids are acting like kids (instead of angels!). I fully expect them to act their age, and I promise I'm clicking the shutter button at just the right moment to capture all of the smiles, cuddles, and laughs. Stay calm and they will feed off of your energy, and everyone will be happy! These holiday portraits should be fun - not a stressful, anxiety ridden experience.

#8: Plan how you are going to enjoy your portraits!

Holiday portraits are about more than just holiday cards, and I know you're not doing this session just to mail out a bunch of 5x7 cards that will hang on your friends' fridges for a month and then get tossed. Plan to print some for an heirloom holiday album that you can pull out year after year. Put a few on the wall, or create a wooden photo keepsake that you can pull out every holiday season to decorate an end table or the mantel. Don’t forget to make copies for the grandparents and share them on social media with your friends!

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2021 Holiday Portraits in our Saratoga Springs Photography Studio

Holiday portrait sessions are some of my favorite moments to capture in our Saratoga Springs studio! I wait all year long for these days to arrive because they’re always so much fun and filled with joy. This year, I chose to offer three new setups for holiday portraits. We had a white snowflake room, evergreen seamless paper with a loveseat for the family and some flocked trees and a holiday bed. Everyone LOVED getting in the holiday spirit here in the studio.

I welcomed lots of longtime clients and families to the studio over our holiday sessions. It was so great to see everyone again and catch up. I also had the chance to meet plenty of new families too. I’m so excited to have been part of their holiday tradition this year!

Thank you to every family that chose to come celebrate with me this year. Here’s a little sneak peek at some of my favorite holiday moments in the studio this year!!

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A Peek at Some of This Year's Custom Holiday Card Designs - Saratoga Springs Portrait Photographer

Tis the season to run to your mailbox and tear open the envelopes to see so many smiling faces inside!

I always love sharing a peek at some of the holiday cards that families are sending out with portraits from their sessions with me, and here are a few that are hitting mailboxes all over the country this year!

I really enjoy designing and printing holiday cards for families, and the options for customizing really are endless! A few things that you get to choose when designing your holiday cards?

• fully customizable templates

• change the colors & font & text

• choose how many images for the back of the card

• choose from 3 types of paper

• multiple envelope styles

• return address printing is included

• the option to add on recipient address printing

And my favorite card of all? Ours! Check out how adorable Grayson is on this one!

We're planning limited edition holiday sessions!

These two gorgeous backdrops just arrived to the studio, and we can't wait to start using them for our holiday sessions!  We're excited to offer two weekends of holiday sessions, one for our New York families and one for our Massachusetts families!  These are the ONLY dates that we will be offering holiday sessions in the studio.

Attleboro, Massachusetts
Saturday, October 29
Sunday, October 30

Saratoga Springs, NY
Saturday, November 5
Sunday, November 6

Here's are sneak peeks of both sets that we'll be offering -- aren't they adorable?!?!

Full details and session reservation details
will be coming your way on
Monday, October 3!

Mark your calendar!

Making Spirits Bright | Our Studio Holiday Sessions

Fa la la la laaaaaa, la la la laaaaaa. As I type this post, my studio smells like a Christmas tree, tiny lights are twinkling behind me, a peppermint marshmallow candle glows on the table, and Ella Fitzgerald is singing Christmas carols on Pandora.   There are presents to be wrapped, cookies to be baked, and cards to be mailed.  And there's definitely a mug of hot chocolate waiting for me somewhere.  It's mid-December, and our holiday cheer is officially at 100%.

I love the holiday season.  Could you tell?  ;o)   The lights, the traditions, the scents, the cozy foods, the gatherings with friends & family.  There is nothing better than those first few weeks of December when the world is a truly magical place.  These are the weeks when everyone is talking about their elves, Santa, and flying reindeer.  The tree in your living room inspired breathtaking wonder, and the colorful lights in your neighborhood fill your evenings with cheer.  The magic of childhood is more tangible than ever.  That same magic that I adore capturing all throughout the year is on full display this month, and I feel so, so lucky to be able to preserve that for the families that I work with.

We hosted our first in-studio holiday sessions, and I had so much fun creating the perfect dreamy set up for our little ones.  We turned the studio into a winter wonderland, a soft cloud-like space where children sat beneath golden stars and told me all about their wishes for Santa and what their elves had been up to lately.  There were giggles, jingle bells, Christmas jammies, candy canes, and songs.

Our holiday sessions were short and sweet, and allowed just enough time for a simple rustic set up, too!  After all, I acquired a vintage sled from another photographer over the summer, and I couldn't let a holiday season pass without using it for some adorable photos!

Wishing you all a magical holiday season!  Take the time to slow down, create memories, and start a new tradition with your family.

Create magic, and inspire wonder.  After all, that's what childhood is all about!