Every year, I see the same thing. Families book a session with the best intentions, show up looking great and then spend half the time trying to get their toddler to stand still and smile on cue. Sound familiar?

Here’s what I’ve learned after years of photographing holiday card sessions: the photo you’ll actually want to send isn’t always the one where everyone cooperated perfectly. It’s often the one where something real happened.

And that’s exactly what I’m here to help you capture.

The Holiday Card Pressure Is Real (But It Doesn’t Have to Be)

There’s something about the holiday card that adds a little extra pressure. It’s going out to grandparents, friends, neighbours and maybe even a few colleagues. You want everyone to look good, look happy and hopefully look at the camera at the same time.

And if you have a toddler, you’re probably already calculating the odds!

I get it. But here’s something I’ve seen play out session after session: the families who relax into the experience almost always walk away with their favourite photos. When parents feel pressure to manage every smile and every little movement, the session can feel harder for everyone.

My whole approach is built around making your session feel easy, even when it’s a little chaotic. Especially when it’s a little chaotic!

What Actually Makes a Holiday Photo Worth Sending

Yes, we’ll get the smiling photo, but movement is where the magic happens

Don’t worry, we’ll still aim for that classic photo where everyone is looking at the camera. But some of the best photos usually happen in between those moments.

Holiday card sessions at the tree farm are basically a mini workout when toddlers are involved, and that’s okay! Kids don’t want to stand still. When they move, I move!

We might run through the rows of trees, hang an ornament on a branch or pull a wagon. Sometimes the family pet even comes along for the fun!

Once parents stop worrying about getting everyone to look at the camera at exactly the same time, something really great happens. They relax, trust the process and start having fun. The kids feel that shift too, and the photos are always better for it.

Big personalities, silly laughs and a little chaos are always welcome at my sessions!

Outfits matter, but not in the way you might think

Here’s where I’ll give you a slightly different take: outfits do make a difference, but I don’t want you overthinking them.

For fall and holiday sessions, I usually suggest neutrals. Creams, beige, camel, soft grey and navy keep the focus on your family instead of competing with colourful leaves, rows of evergreens or a beautifully decorated holiday studio.

The key is to coordinate, not match. Choose a few colours that work nicely together, make sure everyone feels comfortable in what they’re wearing and let me take care of the rest.

You can find more outfit inspiration in my blog, What to Wear for Your Fall Photoshoot.

Connection is what makes a photo feel special

Great outfits give us a beautiful starting point, but the photos families love most are the ones filled with real laughs, cuddles, movement and those sweet little moments in between. That’s always my focus during a family session.

Those are the photographs that make it onto the wall, into the holiday card and sometimes even into gifts for the grandparents.

That focus on connection is a big reason holiday portrait sessions always end up being some of my absolute favourites to photograph.

One Thing I Wish Every Family Knew Before Arriving

The one thing I see working against families most often is the idea that the goal is a perfect photo.

When families arrive with that expectation, they can spend the session managing everything: the kids, the poses and everyone’s expressions. It starts to feel like a performance, and the camera picks up on that.

When families arrive ready to spend time together and let me guide them, the whole energy shifts. The kids are more relaxed because the adults are more relaxed. The photos feel natural, and everyone enjoys the experience so much more.

Before your session, I’d encourage you to let go of that expectation of perfection. Come ready to move, laugh and be a little silly.

I’ll handle the rest!

Why Holiday Portraits Are Worth Getting Right

The holiday card might feel like a small yearly tradition, but those photos become part of your family’s story.

They capture your family exactly as you are right now: this year, this season and these ages. Your children will never be quite this little again, and one day, these are the photos that will bring you right back to this chapter.

That’s worth so much more than a perfectly posed photograph where everyone is staring at the camera.

Ready to Book Your Holiday Card Session?

This is always my busiest season for family photos, so if you’re hoping to capture a holiday card photo that feels perfectly you, I’d love to help make that happen.

Take a look at my Fall, Tree Farm and Holiday Studio Mini Sessions if you’re looking for something fun and efficient.

If you’d prefer something a little longer and more customized, I still have a few spots remaining for custom family sessions!

Reach out here and let’s create something worth sending.