Preparation Guide Mini Christmas Shoot

Studio Location:

12 Aintree Close, Clyde

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⏰ Arrive 10 minutes early to ensure the day runs smoothly for everyone.

We have back-to-back Schedule for our Christmas Mini's, so please arrive early and ready to go!

We can’t extend the session if you're late, as everyone deserves their full 20 minutes. However, don’t worry—we willl make the most of every joyful minute you have left! Let’s keep the day Joyful and on schedule for everyone!​

 

Our 20-minute Christmas Mini Sessions can feel fast-paced and rushed, especially for little ones who usually need time to adjust to new faces and surroundings. Due to the tight schedule of 20-minutes, unfortunately we don’t have the time to allow your little one to adjust gradually to me, my assistant and the new environment. We need to start right away to make the most of our time together. But with a bit of preparation, we can make it a fun and festive experience for everyone!

 

Here are some helpful tips to make the most of your session so we can capture beautiful christmas memories

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‼️ Most Important: ​

• Plan Your Trip Ahead - Use Google Maps to plan your trip, keeping traffic in mind

• Please allow for extra driving time, considering the ongoing traffic works in Cranbourne/Clyde.

• Enter through the FRONT Door of my House (no sneaking in through the North Pole—I mean, the garage) as it will be locked

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📝 Note the following: ​​​​​

• Paperwork and Payment will need to be done before entering the studio for your session.

• Payment to be made in Cash 

• Everyone is dressed and ready to go

• Please ensure your Child's face is clean and free of any food / dry snot that may be on their faces.

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 🥣 Full Bellies, Festive Smiles!

• Nothing derails a joyful little elf (AKA Baby or Child) faster than being tired or hungry (or yikes—both!).  

• Make sure to start things off on the right foot by giving them a snack before the arrival so they’re full and happy. When babies/Kids bellies are empty, the hangriness and grumpiness can set in quickly! 😬

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😜 Bring the Hype: How Your Energy Can Make Photo Magic!

For a fun and relaxed session, the best advice is to keep things light and enjoyable. If you’re frustrated or anxious, your kids will pick up on that energy. If you stay upbeat, playful, and full of excitement, your little ones are more likely to follow suit. Even if things get a bit cranky (because hey, it happens!), they’ll bounce back quicker if you stay cool and keep the good vibes going. So, channel your inner hype squad, and let’s make it a fun-filled adventure for everyone! 😄📸​​​​​

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🎅 Unwrapping the Magic

Want to capture the pure joy of Christmas morning? Bring a beautifully wrapped gift for your child to open during the session and in the photos! Keep the present hidden until it’s time for the big reveal and watch their eyes light up with excitement. This surprise adds a magical touch and will create unforgettable, heartwarming photos that truly capture the season's spirit. Plus, it makes the session even more memorable for your child!​​

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🎁 Bring on the Christmas Cheer!

We understand that sitting down for photos can sometimes be overwhelming for kids. To make the experience more enjoyable, consider bringing a Christmas-themed book or toy. These festive props can help your little one feel more at ease and excited about the session! Plus, a cute, holiday-themed toy or prop can add to the Christmas spirit in the photos, so no need to worry if they make a cameo in the photos - these touches only enhance the christmas fun!

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Here are some fun Christmas Toys/Props that you could bring to make your Christmas Photos Extra Magical.

These toys/props not only look great in photos but also help kids feel comfortable, engage and have fun!

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• Christmas Soft Toys – Like Santa, Reindeer, Gingerbread Man etc

• Christmas Train Set

• Elf on the Shelf

• Nutcracker prop or ornament

• Christmas Book – Choose one that isn't too bright or colorful to ensure it looks great in photos

• Christmas stockings – For kids to hold or peek into.

• Jingle bells or Christmas ornaments

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🍪Festive Treats  to Sweeten Your Christmas Photos!

Holiday Treats: Cookies, anyone? Nothing screams Christmas Eve more than a delicious chocolate chip cookie or a festive snack! I’ve got adorable Christmas mugs and milk bottles (with Christas straws) all ready for the perfect “Santa’s snack” photo-op – because let’s be honest, Christmas Eve isn’t complete without cookies for Santa, right? 🍪🎅

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• Gingerbread Cookies – Classic Christmas shapes like trees, stars, or gingerbread men.

• Chocolate Chip Cookies – Adorable for photos and tasty for sneaky bites!

• Candy Canes – Bright and colorful, they add a perfect holiday touch.

• Hot chocolate with Marshmallows Prop – Get Crafy but I will have some to use on the day

• Donuts with holiday sprinkles – Perfect for a playful, holiday treat look.

• Reindeer-shaped pretzels – Fun and festive for little ones to hold​

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📚 Holiday Story Time

If your family loves reading Christmas stories together, bring along a big Christmas book for your kids to hold during the session. It’s the perfect way to create some cozy, festive moments – and it makes for an adorable keepsake photo!​​​​​

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🤗 Help Your Little One Feel Comfortable Before the Session ​

Children can find photo sessions overwhelming as it's a new experience with a new person in a new place. With just 20 minutes to capture their moments, we need to dive right in.

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To help your kids feel more comfortable and excited about their photo session, talk to your kids about me in a fun and friendly way. Rather than just emphasising that they need to smile, behave, and follow instructions for the photos. For kids, this doesnt sound fun at all. Focusing too much on tellling them to “do it right” or "dont do this" can be overwhelming and take away from the fun. Instead, get them excited by sharing the cool Christmas activities we’ll be doing, like reading festive books or playing with Christmas toys. This approach helps them feel more relaxed and eager to enjoy the session, making it easier for everyone to capture those perfect moments. Introduce me and my assistant as friends when you arrive. In the days leading up to the session, tell them about me as someone who’s thrilled to meet them and to share these fun Christmas moments. Showing them a photo of me from my website can also help them recognise a friendly face on arrival. By the time the session rolls around, they may even feel like they already know us, making it easier for them to relax and enjoy the shoot.

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🎄 Festive Tips for the Best Experience

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• Please make sure your child is dressed before arrival in your desired outfit. 

• No Shoes or Socks in Photos unless shoes are brand new

• Timing is Key: If your session is close to naptime, plan accordingly so your little one is wide awake and ready to be jolly!

• Fuel Up: Be sure to feed your kiddos before the session – no one can resist Christmas magic on an empty tummy! (You can always do this in the car if needed before coming in.)​​​

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How to Get Real Smiles

Next up, it’s time to get real smiles and contagious giggles out of your kiddo! No Fake Smiles Wanted!

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Depending on your child’s age and personality, sometimes getting those smiles can be challenging when a stranger is holding a camera in front of them, especially for babies and toddlers. I may need your help by standing behind me and making silly faces, singing, or dancing to make your little one laugh. They love their mommy or daddy more than anyone else!

 

Think of a few ways to make them laugh before you arrive. It’s easy to forget when you’re in the moment!

Have your phone ready to play their favorite songs, however sometimes this can backfire with babies as they want it. So often last resort

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Think outside the box. Sometimes, silly faces or peek-a-boo just dont cut it. The key is to evoke genuine fun and laughter; interaction often helps them focus less on the camera and more on the silly game.

 

For Babies, Try

• Animal sounds

• Big reactions such as Sneezing

• Singing Favorite Songs

• Peek-a-Boo

• Play “I’m gonna get you!”

• Say Things like Dad, Dad or Mum, Mum

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For Older Kids, Try

• Make funny faces behind me

• Try,“Now, don’t you smile...” or “Where’s that sweet smile?”

• Can ask them things like "Does daddy have smellly socks, or does daddy do smelly farts"

• Say silly words such as stinky, farty bum, smelly socks

• Play “What’s your favorite _____”

• Have them tickle or kiss a sibling

• Dance behind me

• Strike silly poses behind me

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🙋 Who can Attend?​

Please remember that I can only have 1 family in per session, this means only immediate family are able to attend the photoshoot, no extra family members or cousins, friends etc at the photoshoot.

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❄️  Setups

There will be 4 Setups to choose from this year. You can choose to have photos on 2 setups. Please make sure that your children are dressed in their outfits before you come as I have clients before and after you so there wont be enough time to change into them once you get here. You may bring 1 change of outfit to suit another backdrop if we have time for a outfit change.

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🎅Tips & Things to Consider for Picture-Perfect Outfits

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Clean Faces:

Before we capture those magical moments, please make sure little faces are free of snot, crumbs, leftover breakfast, eye goop, and anything else that might photobomb that perfect shot. These little details are usually not edited out as part of the standard service and may result in an extra charge. Let’s make sure everything looks picture-perfect!

 

No Hair Ties or Watches:

Let’s keep those wrists and heads mark-free by removing hair ties and watches before the session. Trust us, we don’t want anything distracting from your little one's Christmas cuteness! 🎄

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No Shoes & Socks:

• For babies and toddlers - We generally skip shoes and socks for photos. Brand new shoes can work if you’re set on having them wear shoes. However, it's usually best to avoid them, as toddlers often have a hard time staying still, and we don't want to end up with shots of the soles of dirty shoes.​

• For older kids (around 4 Years and up) -  Shoes might be okay if you’re really set on them, as we can hopefully pose them to ensure the shoes don’t steal the spotlight and we avoid just seeing the bottoms of their shoes in all the photos

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Avoid Logos:

Avoid logos in photos to keep the focus on your child and their expressions. Logos can be distracting and date the photos, so opting for logo-free outfits ensures a clean, timeless look.

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Avoid Distractions: Colors and Patterns

Avoid overly bright or neon colors as they can be distracting and clash with the backdrop. Similarly, steer clear of busy patterns, which can draw attention away from your child’s expressions and make the photos feel cluttered.

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Ensure your Clothes are Wrinkle Free:

Make sure all clothes are wrinkle-free to ensure a polished, picture-perfect look. Wrinkles can be distracting and diminish the overall look/quality of your photos. Unfortunately, editing out wrinkles in clothing isn’t a service I offer, it’s not a quick or simple fix. Editing out wrinkles from clothes is tricky because it involves complex details and shadows that are hard to fix. It’s a time-consuming process and can sometimes make the photo look unnatural.

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For Those Who Wear Glasses:

There might be a bit of glare from the lights. I’ll do my best to minimise it, but if you want to be extra safe, consider taking off your glasses during the shoot.

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Keep It Clean: What to Leave Out

- Hair Ties on Your Wrist. Come on, admit it, Mom, you’ve probably got one there right now!

- Electronic watches (unless they’re luxury like Movado or Rolex) ​​​

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🧣 My Mini Wardrobe: Outfits for Kids & Babies on Hand!​

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I’ve got a fantastic collection of outfits, pajamas, and dresses for your little ones, covering sizes from 3 months to 6 years. For older kids, my selection is a bit limited, so you will need to organise a outfit.

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Babies (12 weeks - 18 months):

I have a huge variety of adorable outfits for both girls and boys.

 

Girls (18 months - 6 years):

There’s a treasure trove of lovely dresses for girls in this age range available for you to use.

 

Boys (18 months - 6 years):

My selection for older boys is a bit limited, so it’s a good idea to bring your own outfits for them.

 

Cute Christmas Pyjamas:

I have quite a few cozy PJs with sizes ranging 2 Years to 6 Year Olds

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Just a heads-up—while I have a lot of options, it’s always best to not reply on my outfit options to ensure you have the perfect look for your photos! 🌟👗👶​​​​

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👚 Deck the Halls: Outfit Ideas for the Kiddos! 🎄

When dressing your little ones for Christmas mini photos, it's all about keeping the outfits in the christmas vibe, comfortable, and complementary to the backdrops.

 

• Christmas Colours such as Red, Burgundy, Forest Green White, Navy Blue Gold.

• Avoid Non Christmas colours such as Pink, Purple, Baby Blue, Yellow etc.

• Avoid Bright Neon Colours

• Avoid Logos

 

Christmas Patterns like:

• Tartan Plaid

• Red/White Stripes

• Polka Dots (Christmas Colours)

• Fair Isle (Old Fashioned Christmas

• Houndstooth

• Gingham

 

For babies:

Classic christmas outfits like knitted rompers or dressed in deep reds, greens, and soft creams are great options.
 

For toddlers and older kids:

You can go a little more playful with their outfits! Think plaid dresses, velvet overalls, or sweaters paired with a cute skirt or dress pants.

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Comfort is key when it comes to outfits:

kids are much more likely to have fun and cooperate when they're comfortable. If their clothing is itchy, irritating, or restricting it can be hard for them to focus on anything else!

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​Dont forget the Accessories

• Cute Santa Hat

• Reindeer Ears or Elf Ears

• Bow Ties and Ties

• Headband or Hair Bow Clips

• Christmas Scarf

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👗👔 Jingle All the Way: Outfit Ideas for the Family! 

Mmmmm, let’s get festive! Whether you’re rocking cozy sweaters, matching PJs, or elegant outfits, the choice is all yours. Coordinate your outfits with your family for that perfect, heartwarming look in your photos. And don’t hold back on sprinkling in some holiday cheer with props like Santa hats, jingle bells, or even a tiny reindeer plushie. The more festive, the merrier!

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Dressing Up Your Family:

One of my main goals is to make sure Mumma feels fabulous! Pick out something you absolutely love first, and then let the rest of the family’s wardrobe follow suit. Your little ones will look adorable no matter what!

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For the Christmas Mini session, let’s go all out!
Matching Christmas PJs are a must, or dive into those delightfully over-the-top holiday jumpers. Dads might even get a chuckle out of it—sarcasm intended! 😉
If you’re aiming for a more sophisticated vibe, dress your family in Christmas colors like red, green, white, cream, gold, or silver. Just make sure all the outfits blend beautifully together.

 

Mums, Glam Up! 💄✨
Don’t skimp on your makeup! Go for those fabulous false lashes—you might just fall in love with them and want to wear them all the time! Choose a medium-to-full coverage foundation that matches your skin tone perfectly, and give your lips some love with a bold lipstick or gloss. It’ll make your smile pop on camera!

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Color Ideas That Pop:

• Mustard

• Red/Maroon

• Navy Blue

• Olive Green/Christmas Green

• White

• Rust

• Tartan Pattern

• Cream/Tan

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 🧑‍🎄 Rock Those Holiday Pyjamas!

• Ali Express

• Temu

• Amazon

• eBay (just make sure the seller is in Oz)

• Cotton On

• Best and Less

• Kmart

• Target

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🎉 And thats it from me!

I know this preparation guide has been quite detailed and contained allot of information, but that’s because I want you to be fully prepared and know exactly what to expect, what to bring, and how to get ready for the big day. It’s all about setting the stage for a fantastic session and covering all the fun little details!

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I’m beyond excited to dive into the festive fun and capture the magical moments with your little ones during our Christmas mini session! I can’t wait to see the sparkle of joy, the burst of laughter, and the holiday cheer light up every single shot. We’re going to make this experience as memorable and joyful as possible. So get ready to have a blast and create some amazing holiday photos together! See you soon for a session filled with festive fun and unforgettable moments!