If you’ve been wanting family holiday photos that feel real, not stiff or overly posed, I’m offering a new and unique experience this season. They’re called Holiday Story Sessions: relaxed, in-home photo sessions that document your family doing all the fun holiday things and celebrating they way only your family does.

This isn’t about forcing everyone to smile in matching outfits. It’s about capturing the real moments that make this time of year feel special. You might be baking cookies, hanging ornaments, playing games, lighting a menorah, or opening a few gifts. We’ll plan it together, and I’ll be there to photograph everything as it unfolds.

What is a Holiday Story Session?

This is a photo session that takes place inside your home, available weekends of November to December season. It’s calm, slow-paced (basically the opposite of a mini session!), and designed around the things your family enjoys doing together during the holiday season. After booking, I’ll send a short questionnaire to help you plan out a few easy activities that will feel fun and natural for your family.

Here are some ideas that your family may want to do during your session:

• Baking holiday treats
• Decorating cookies
• Reading a favorite book together by the fire
• Playing board games
• Snuggling on the couch
• Making a blanket fort
• Decorating your Christmas tree
• Drinking hot cocoa, complete with whipped cream and marshmallows
• Lighting the menorah
• Letting each person open one gift

If you want your tree in the photos, make sure to have it up before your session date. It doesn’t need to be decorated yet. Doing that during your session can be part of the story!

How much direction do you give?

The session is mostly documentary, which means I’ll be photographing your family just being yourselves. But I’ll absolutely give gentle guidance when it helps. I might suggest where to sit for better light or how to shift slightly so I can get a more flattering angle.

You won’t need to perform or pose. We’ll just set the scene, and I’ll follow the moments as they unfold.

I’ll also make sure we try for one smiling-at-the-camera photo for your holiday card, if the kids are in the mood. I usually start the session with this while everyone’s still fresh, but if it’s not working right away, don’t stress. We can always try again later when everyone’s feeling more connected and relaxed. Maybe while reading a book together or snuggling on the couch. That’s often when the best smiles show up anyway.

What time do sessions start?

Most sessions begin around 9:30am. Morning light is soft and flattering in most homes, and kids tend to be happiest and most cooperative earlier in the day. I’ll help you choose the best time for your space, but 9am is a great place to start. If you book directly from my calendar, we can still adjust the timing later if needed.

These are only offered through early December. If you book in December and want to use the photos for holiday cards, I’ll send you a handful of edited sneak peeks within two days so you can still get them printed in time.

What if my house isn’t Pinterest-perfect?

No one’s house looks like a magazine every day, and that’s not what we’re aiming for. These sessions are about connection, not perfection.

We’ll plan ahead and decide which rooms we’ll be using so you can focus your energy there. Just clear the clutter, tuck away anything you don’t want in photos (like charging cords, toys, or yesterday’s snack dishes), and shove the rest in a closet. I won’t open it, I promise.

You don’t need to make your home look sterile or overly styled. It should still feel like your space. A lived-in, cozy home with a little holiday decor is already the perfect backdrop. Add some twinkle lights or a garland, and it instantly feels magical.

What if I want to use these photos for holiday cards?

If you book in November, you’ll have plenty of time to do that. If you book in early December, you may not have your full gallery back in time, but I’ll make sure you get a handful of print-ready sneak peeks within two days so you can still get your cards ordered if you’d like.

What to wear for holiday family photos at home?

For in-home photo sessions, comfort and softness always photograph well. Pajamas are a great option, especially for baking or cuddling. Some casual outfits would also look great. Light, neutral tones look beautiful with at-home, natural lighting and holiday decor. I will send you an outfit inspo guide for this session.

Why these holiday sessions matter?

If you’re the one always holding the camera, you probably already know how this goes. You look back through your phone, scrolling past video after video of your kids laughing or decorating or making a mess. And you realize you’re not in any of it.

You were there. You planned the morning. You made the cocoa. You helped them with the cookies. But you’re not in the photos, and your voice is the one behind the camera, not inside the memory. That’s one of the biggest reasons I love these sessions.

You get to be in the pictures. . In the moments. You’ll be in the frame, snuggled up on the couch, laughing in the kitchen, helping your kids unwrap that gift they’ve been eyeing all week.

And if your kids are getting older, this might be the last year they’re home for the holidays in the same way. My kids are teenagers, and I’m feeling this in a new way. I know how fast it goes, and I want you to have something that shows you were there with them, too. This is your holiday gift to yourself and your family.

How to book your holiday story session

I’m only booking a handful of Holiday Story Sessions this season.. If this sounds like the right fit for your family, now is the time to get this scheduled. Or send a message if you have any other questions or want to know about a specific date.