How to Nail Your Holiday Mini Sessions for 2026: A Stress-Free Guide for Photographers
- carolyn deibert
- Dec 3
- 5 min read
How to do mini sessions!
Start Planning Early! Way Earlier Than You Think
Holiday minis may run in November and December, but the real work starts way back in early fall, often September.
If you’re building your own sets in your studio, at home, a tree farm or just outdoors, give yourself plenty of time to design, assemble, tweak… and then photograph everything.
Because here’s the non-negotiable truth: Mini sessions do NOT book without real promo photos.
Clients want to see exactly what they’re getting. Mock-ups, inspiration boards, or “similar vibes” don’t create the same trust or excitement (unless you're a season vet holiday mini queen, but in that case you're not reading this) That’s why you need to have your sets ready early enough to shoot real sample images before launching your marketing.
The same applies if you’re renting a studio setup. Most rental studios release their holiday sets early, with promo photos you can use of just the space itself ,or offer early booking windows so you can come in and take your own test shots. Take advantage of that!
Having authentic images of the set you’ll actually be using will make or break your booking rate.
And I’ll say it plainly because someone needs to hear it: Never use another photographer’s images as your own. It’s wrong, it’s stealing, and it damages your credibility more than it helps. Clients book based on trust, and trust comes from showing your own work, your own sets, and your own style!
For reference, my booking link opens in October, because my first holiday minis start the first weekend of November and continue through December 15 ish.
That means everything needs to be photographed, tested, and ready long before then.
Start early. Your future self, and booking calendar, will thank you.
The beautiful thing is Hobby Lobby starts selling their decor super early!
Offer Variety, but Keep It Focused
You don’t need five entirely different setups to impress clients. Instead, aim for two main sets that work for families and older children, and one smaller set tailored for toddlers or quick-switch sessions.
Why this works:
Families feel like they’re getting options.
Toddlers get their own space (they love things that are their size).
You avoid overwhelming yourself with constant resets.
If you reuse toddler sets each year, it becomes a tradition clients love, and a personal time capsule as their little ones grow.
If you are renting a studio they are probably aiming for fun large sets that will work with every age group!
Alright… It’s Almost October. ( were time traveling now) Time to Get Those Bookings Rolling.
You’ve shopped, built your sets, taken your promo photos, secured your rental studio dates, double-checked your timeline… and now it’s officially time to set up our booking link!
Streamline Your Booking System (Your Sanity Depends on It)
A seamless booking experience is the secret ingredient to stress-free minis.
Essential tips:
Use a booking platform that handles time slots, deposits, contracts, and reminders automatically.
Require a retainer to secure a spot! no exceptions. This helps a lot with no call no shows.
Automate emails: confirmations, what-to-wear guides, location instructions, and final reminders.
Clearly outline expectations, including start times, late policies, and what’s included.
The more your system communicates for you, the more confident your clients feel, and the fewer “Just double-checking!” emails you’ll get. This isn’t a negative about customers at all; it’s about creating a smooth, reassuring experience so families have all the info they need without feeling unsure or needing to ask extra questions.
My Personal booking system and calendar
I use Session , This platform is built specifically for photographers, making it easy to manage time slots, collect deposits, send contracts, and even automate client reminders. It is linked to my square account so clients can pay right through the link and i also get paid right into my account. Even if you're new to photography its only $19 a month!
How I Set Up My Holiday Minis Booking Calendar
This year, I pre-selected Friday and Saturday dates for November and December (I don’t work Sundays) and structured my sessions to keep things organized and efficient. Most of my sessions started at 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, or 12:00 PM on Saturdays, with Friday evenings reserved for after-work slots.
Each session was 30 minutes long with a 10-minute buffer in between, allowing me to reset the set and stay on schedule. I was able to fit 6–7 sessions in a single day comfortably.
All of this was managed entirely through my Sessions booking link. Clients could click, see available dates and times, and book instantly—no emails back and forth required. Compared to the old method of posting a few time slots and asking clients to DM, this approach eliminates the stress of double-booked times, ensures everyone can choose exactly what works for them, and saves you hours of messaging.
The booking system also includes a waitlist feature, so if a spot opens up, clients are automatically notified. This made it simple to sell out quickly and even add extra dates as demand increased. It kept the process professional, efficient, and stress-free, for both me and my clients.
Alright we have our sets, clients have booked and now were ready to shoot!
Create a Flow That Works for Kids and Adults
Kids, especially toddlers, won’t wait around while you adjust everything. Create a shooting flow that keeps them engaged:
Start with the easiest poses first.
Transition quickly between setups.
Keep small props handy for quick distractions.
Avoid overly complicated posing—simplicity is your best friend during minis.
And for families, give very clear but friendly directions so they know exactly what to do the moment they step onto the set.
Treat Minis Like an Experience, Not Just Photos
Little touches make a big difference:
Music at the set
A warm welcome
Holiday scents or small props
A calm, confident energy
A prize at the end for the kiddos (this year i did stickers)
Clients remember how you made them feel just as much as the photos.
Edit Smart, Not Hard
Set yourself up for success before you ever touch a Lightroom slider:
Test your lighting and white balance in advance.
figure out your edit and create a preset for each scene
Use consistent lighting, that will make all photos simpler to edit
Cull immediately after each weekend so you don’t drown in images later!
Delivering Galleries Seamlessly with PassPlus
After the sessions are done, I use PassPlus to deliver galleries to my clients. It’s a simple, professional way for families to view, download, and share their photos, all in one place.
PassPlus keeps the process easy and organized: clients get a beautifully presented gallery link, can quickly select favorites or order prints, and everything stays secure.
Using PassPlus makes gallery delivery stress-free for me and provides a polished, user-friendly experience for clients. It’s another way to keep the holiday mini process smooth from start to finish.
Protect Your Energy & Enjoy the Season
Holiday minis are a marathon. Give yourself space to rest, recharge, and enjoy your own family traditions. You don’t need to say yes to every last-minute inquiry. We set this up months in advance to avoid this!
A well-rested photographer creates better images, and has way more fun doing it.
Holiday minis don’t have to be overwhelming. With good planning, smart systems, and a workflow that respects your time and energy, you can create magical sessions that clients adore, without burning yourself out.
The holidays are special for your clients… and they should be special for you too.
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