Holiday photo session – how to prepare for it? Tips from Paulina Rojek of "polka.foto"
Wednesday, September 10, 2025 - 09:15
My name is Paulina Rojek “polka.foto” and I am a family photographer. I specialize in maternity, women’s, newborn, and family sessions. I just can’t choose which I love most Some say it’s better to specialize in one area of photography, but I feel completely differently… I want to be there with my clients for all the most important moments in their lives and I don’t want to limit myself… For years I’ve also been organizing holiday sessions in my studio, which I’m going to tell you about today
How to get started?
I start preparing for holiday sessions a year in advance I look for ideas and inspiration when there's the most of it, usually around December. I create a project in Canva where I collect everything that catches my attention or inspires me. Sometimes it starts with a prop, like styrofoam clouds with cotton or red bows, and sometimes I find a beautiful backdrop that I already know I want to work with next year. Gradually, I gather more props and styling ideas, building the whole holiday scene. If you don’t have ideas for the upcoming holidays yet, then don’t worry, just spend some time browsing online and you’ll definitely find something you like :) I recommend Pinterest
How many setups in the studio? Is one enough?
That’s entirely up to you. If it’s one well designed and detailed setup where you can capture a variety of different shots, then that’s all you need. In my studio, I always have three, and here’s why In addition to doing holiday sessions in the studio, I also work as a preschool photographer. One of the setups I use is specifically designed with kids in mind. It’s a preschool style setup filled with props that help capture their attention during photos. It really makes a difference.
The next setup is the family scene. It’s the largest one, and I can fit the whole family into it . I make sure their shots are varied, like a portrait of them standing, a photo of the whole family on a couch, armchair, or blanket. The third setup is one I create for myself . It’s minimalist because that’s what I personally like best, but I know holiday sessions have their own rules and clients love it when there’s a lot going on :) That’s why I add it as the third setup. Usually it’s a single colored background with a holiday wreath, a branch, or one simple prop. In this scene, the models are the main focus.
What if you don’t have a studio?
No problem! There are still three great options you can use.
Do an outdoor session! I recommend a Christmas tree farm (find one in your area) or a clearing with pine trees. Bring a blanket, holiday decorations, string lights, and you’re all set!
Rent a studio. Schedule sessions back to back to make it more cost effective.
Offer clients in-home holiday sessions, such as beautiful, natural shots under their own Christmas tree. These sessions are best scheduled for late December, once their homes are already decorated.
How and when to prepare your offer?
I let my clients know well in advance that I’ll be offering holiday sessions that year. Around summer break, I start posting on social media that I’m already putting the setups together. I don’t post about it too often so I don’t “ruin” anyone’s summer but it’s worth mentioning that the sessions are coming and that I’m already planning them. I publish the full offer in September and open bookings. I create the offer in Canva using ready-made templates from nPhoto Social Media Templates (available on their website). I offer three holiday session packages, and clients choose the one that suits them best. The first includes 5 images and 15x23 cm prints, the second includes 8 images and 15x23 cm prints, the third includes 10 images, 15x23 cm prints, and a Harmonica (a mini accordion album from nPhoto). Starting in September, I really start pushing holiday messaging on my social media . I share test photos of the setups I’ve prepared for that year (I always shoot these at the end of August), I post images from previous years, and I talk about what this year’s sessions will look like and why they’re worth booking. I also publish a holiday poster. For marketing, I focus mainly on Instagram and Facebook. That’s where my clients are, and where I hope to reach new ones.
Holiday Session Calendar
How do you schedule your session days and hours so you can survive the season and still enjoy your Christmas Eve carp in peace ? Over the years, I’ve tested different ways to schedule sessions and landed on the method that works best for me: I work every weekend in November and the first weekend of December, with up to 8 or 9 sessions per day on Saturdays and Sundays. That’s what I know I can handle without burning out. It gives me enough time to deliver all the prints before Christmas Eve and still earn well. I schedule sessions every hour starting at 9 AM. Each session lasts 30 minutes. I add 15 minutes as a buffer in case something happens (like clients being late), and another 15 minutes for myself to breathe and reset the scene before the next session. On weekdays in November, I focus on editing. I only book “standard” sessions, like newborn or maternity, on Wednesdays.
What the Session Looks Like
I always make sure the vibe during the session is super positive. It’s really important that clients have a good time and leave with great memories. Even though the session lasts just 30 to 45 minutes, there's still enough time for outfit changes, some warm tea, and a little chit-chat I never make the dad suffer through a session I just appreciate that he showed up and I only bring him in for the family photos I often hear them say to their wives, “I could do more of these sessions, quick and done” I always have a great connection with the kids. I’m a mom myself, and I work with preschoolers, so I know how to handle things. If you don’t, I’ll share a great tip at the end of this article
And what about prints... are they worth it?
Oh, I could go on and on about this! I can’t imagine holiday sessions without handing over beautifully packaged professional prints from nPhoto. They’re the only company I work with for my session prints, and I couldn’t be happier. It’s the cherry on top of the entire holiday session experience. Clients should always feel like they’re getting something real, something they can physically hold in their hands. Not to mention what a beautiful keepsake it is, perfect for a photo album or a frame.
Speaking of keepsakes... My clients can order stunning photo products from their sessions that make perfect ready-to-gift presents for loved ones under the tree.
Products that work best for me are:
Accordion Mini Book – a great product at a great price. I add my own margin, since it takes a little time to prepare this mini album (but just a little, so it’s definitely worth it). Clients often buy three right after the session, one for themselves and one for each set of grandparents.
Triplex – this is mostly chosen by clients for themselves as a beautiful keepsake and a decoration for their mantel.
Large-format prints – another client favorite for decorating their home and preserving memories. These usually go straight up on the walls.
To showcase the products clients can purchase from me, I send them a link to my website. There, they’ll find detailed descriptions and photos of each product. I use nPhoto templates and insert my own images. When clients see them, they buy .
My Tips and Advice
What I wish I knew when I was just starting out with holiday sessions
First and foremost, know that this season brings a huge amount of work along with it! Prepare for it and don’t plan other projects during this time. Naps can help if you have late-night editing ahead, and believe me, you will be working late into the night .
My Tips:
How to make little kids laugh? Buy a cat toy with feathers on the end, it makes them smile 90% of the time.
Don’t expect too much from dad… he showed up, right?
Order prints and wrap them beautifully, they should look like a gift.
Show yourself and your work on social media. This helps clients feel like they already know you when they come for a session.
At the end of the holiday session, treat your little models. A lollipop, candy cane, or gingerbread work great!
Greet everyone with a smile because this is meant to be a wonderful time for the family who trusted you with their photo session.
Check out my profiles. That’s where I show everything that words can’t capture. Photos, stories, inspiration, and a bit of everyday life as a family photographer. It's where I most often share what I’m currently creating, and it’s also the easiest way to get in touch with me!
🔗 Instagram @polka.foto
🔗 Facebook @polka.foto
Paulina Rojek
Now you know how to prepare for holiday photo sessions. It’s time to find out how to earn even more from them by taking advantage of our holiday promotion on selected products from the full offer. Everything is explained in this news article. You’ll also learn what free marketing materials we have prepared for you. Download, use, and earn today!
