Capture the Spirit of the Holidays
Make this holiday season one to remember with Gareth Shaw Photography’s festive Christmas mini sessions! Whether you’re stepping into our beautifully curated studio sets, exploring the magic of Manhattan’s iconic holiday scenes, or enjoying a cozy, personalized shoot in your own home, we’ll help you create timeless holiday memories.
In our studio, immerse yourself in one of four enchanting backdrops: the elegance of a grand staircase wrapped in garlands, the rustic charm of a snowy cabin window, the playful delight of a peppermint balloon arch, or the sugary magic of a candy-cane wonderland. Want to experience NYC’s holiday magic? Our 2-hour Manhattan session captures the city’s twinkling lights, festive streets, and iconic landmarks. Prefer the comfort of home? Let us bring the magic to you with a personalized, intimate session that perfectly complements your family’s unique holiday vibe.
All packages include access to all unedited digital images, along with your choice of 5, 10, or 20 professionally edited photos. Pricing starts at $350 for a 30-minute studio session, $600 for a 1-hour studio session, and $1,350 for a 2-hour Manhattan experience.
Don’t miss your chance to capture the joy and wonder of the season. Book your Christmas mini session today, and let’s make this holiday season truly unforgettable!
Balloon Door Scene
An arched green door surrounded by shimmering balloons in red, green, silver, and gold creates a whimsical holiday focal point. Snow-dusted trees and oversized peppermint decorations add playful charm, while a cobblestone path sprinkled with snow completes this enchanting winter wonderland.
Candy Gate Scene
A snow-dusted wooden gate opens to a magical candyland, surrounded by towering candy canes and oversized peppermint swirls. Festive sprigs of evergreen and vibrant red berries accent the scene, while playful gifts and a whimsical sled invite holiday cheer in this sweet, snowy escape.
Staircase Scene
This stunning holiday display features a grand staircase draped in a vibrant red carpet with golden star designs. Twinkling garlands with poinsettias and ornaments cascade elegantly, while Christmas trees brimming with baubles frame the scene. Softly glowing candle sconces and beautifully wrapped gifts add cozy charm, creating a festive setting perfect for holiday magic.
Window Scene
A cozy cabin window opens to a snowy forest view, framed by deep red velvet curtains tied with golden ropes. Above, a lush evergreen garland with twinkling lights and berries adds holiday cheer. The rustic wooden walls complete this warm, inviting winter escape, perfect for seasonal moments.
Discovering Christmas Mini Sessions in NYC
Christmas mini sessions are short photography sessions focused on holiday themes, offering a quick and delightful way to capture the festive spirit with adorable children in holiday outfits. These sessions are designed to be brief yet impactful, usually lasting around 30 minutes to 2 hours, perfect for families with busy schedules. They are immensely popular in NYC, where the holiday season transforms the city into a winter wonderland, making them a great choice for christmas minis.
These mini sessions are a fantastic opportunity to create lasting memories without the hassle of a full-day photo shoot. The festive themes, charming props, and playful setups all contribute to the holiday magic captured in each photo. Whether you’re looking to create personalized Christmas cards or simply want to preserve the joy of the season, Christmas mini sessions are the way to go.
Best Christmas Mini Sessions by Gareth Shaw Photography
When it comes to Christmas mini sessions in NYC, Gareth Shaw Photography stands out from the rest. Many studios offer themed packages, but Gareth Shaw Photography goes above and beyond with their elaborate sets and festive atmosphere. With four elaborate sets featuring multiple Christmas trees, snow, presents, a Christmas mailbox, sleds, and snowballs, they create a truly magical environment for every family.
The attention to detail and unique backdrops make Gareth Shaw Photography the top choice for holiday mini sessions. Whether you’re trimming the tree with Santa or enjoying a Winter Wonderland theme, these sessions provide a memorable experience that captures the essence of the holiday season.
Plus, the professional quality of the photos ensures that your memories are preserved beautifully while taking photos.
What to Expect During Your Session
Christmas mini sessions with Gareth Shaw Photography are designed to be a delightful and stress-free experience. Unlike typical mini sessions that last around 15 to 20 minutes, Gareth Shaw offers 30-minute, 1-hour, or even 2-hour options, allowing families to fully immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere. This extended session time ensures that even the shyest kids have time to acclimate and enjoy the shoot.
Expect a variety of engaging activities and setups during the session. From trimming the Christmas tree to playing with toys, each moment is designed to capture the joy and excitement of the holiday season with adorable children participating in various activities. Festive themes and playful setups enhance the charm of the christmas pictures, making each session unique and memorable.
Setting the Scene
Creating the perfect holiday atmosphere is all about the details. Gareth Shaw Photography incorporates a variety of holiday props to make each session special. Common props include vintage trucks, cozy blankets, Christmas trees, and oversized snowflakes, adding a whimsical touch to your photos. Snow-themed sessions often feature magical props like snowflakes and winter decorations, creating a truly enchanting scene.
Clients are also encouraged to bring personal items to make their sessions unique. Personal decorations or family heirlooms can add meaningful touches to your photos and enhance storytelling. Items like a favorite holiday mug or a cherished ornament can significantly contribute to memorable and personal holiday photos.
Digital Images
One of the highlights of booking a session with Gareth Shaw Photography is the quality of the digital images you receive. Clients can expect to receive five, ten, or twenty fully edited digital images as part of their package, with the option to purchase additional images if desired. Each image is carefully edited to ensure the highest quality, capturing the magic of your holiday moments.
After the session, you’ll have access to a complete gallery of images from which you can select your final choices. This allows you to choose the photos that best capture your family’s unique personality and holiday spirit.
Plus, with the print release included, you can easily share these beautiful images with family and friends, or use them to create personalized holiday cards.
Preparing for Your Christmas Mini Session
Preparation is key to ensuring a successful and enjoyable Christmas mini session. Choosing festive outfits that everyone feels comfortable in can significantly enhance the enjoyment of the session. Focus on capturing joyful and candid moments rather than posing for perfect smiles. This approach helps to create natural and heartwarming photos that truly reflect the spirit of the holidays.
We will provide specific tips on outfit ideas, props to bring, timing, and special sessions like Santa visits and Winter Wonderland themes. These tips will help maximize your session and create cherished holiday memories.
Outfit Ideas
Selecting the right outfits can make a big difference in your photos. Coordinating colors among family members is a great way to create a cohesive look. Choosing three coordinating colors, including a neutral, can help achieve this. Avoid large, distracting patterns to keep the focus on family interactions during the shoot.
Festive attire can include sweaters, holiday-themed pajamas, or coordinated family outfits. Consider dressing children in festive accessories like Santa hats, reindeer antlers, or colorful scarves to add a playful touch to your photos. These small details can enhance the holiday spirit and make your photos even more special.
Props to Bring
Props can significantly enhance the visual appeal and fun of your Christmas mini session. Common holiday props include ornaments, snowflakes, Christmas hats, and festive blankets. Bringing personal props that reflect your family’s holiday traditions can add a meaningful touch to your session.
Consider incorporating items that have sentimental value or are part of your family’s holiday traditions. These personal touches can make your photos more unique and memorable.
Whether it’s a special ornament or a family heirloom, these props can help tell your holiday story in a beautiful and personal way.
Timing Tips
Timing is crucial for a successful mini session, especially with children. Scheduling sessions when children are well-rested and in good spirits can help ensure they are happy and engaged during the shoot. Consider scheduling sessions after naps or meals to avoid crankiness and ensure a positive experience.
Considering your children’s natural rhythms and planning accordingly can lead to a happier and more successful mini session. This thoughtful approach fosters a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, resulting in beautiful and candid holiday photos.
Santa Visits
Santa visits are a special feature of Gareth Shaw Photography’s Christmas mini sessions, creating unique holiday experiences with adorable children interacting with Santa. These sessions provide a unique holiday experience with activities like trimming the tree and playing with toys. Santa appearances are limited, so it’s important to sign up for the mailing list to find out when and where they will be happening.
Children can enjoy playing with presents while parents get a chance to relax and enjoy the moment. Participants are encouraged to wear festive attire, such as a Christmas dress or favorite Christmas pajamas, to fully embrace the holiday spirit.
These sessions create magical memories that your whole family will treasure forever.
Winter Wonderland
The Winter Wonderland sessions at Gareth Shaw Photography offer a truly magical holiday experience. These sessions feature decorative elements like snowflakes, twinkling lights, and fluffy winter props. The enchanting themes and props create a fun and memorable holiday experience for families.
Sessions like Peppermint Lane include delightful props such as hot cocoa and candy canes, adding to the festive atmosphere. These sessions are perfect for capturing the joy and magic of the holiday season, creating beautiful photos that you’ll cherish for years to come.
Personalized Christmas Cards
One of the best ways to share the magic of your Christmas mini session is through personalized Christmas cards. These custom cards add a personal touch to your holiday greetings, allowing you to share memorable moments captured during your session.
Using images from your mini session, you can design unique holiday cards that reflect your family’s personality and holiday spirit. These personalized cards are a wonderful way to spread joy and celebrate the season with loved ones.
