The Santa Experience with Molly Katherine Photography has become a Massachusetts family favorite and planning for 2024 is in full swing. Last year our event in Newburyport, MA filled up FAST. Get your email on the Nice List so you don’t miss out when registration goes live in July!

Boston Photographer Mini Session Tips

Mini Sessions are unique and there are a few helpful tips that can help you enjoy and get the most of your experience.

1. Prepare in Advance

I know this one seems obvious, BUT if you’re a mom, you know just how much of a freakin’ process it is to get out of the house (let alone on time 😅). Put out everyone’s outfits (and shoes!) out the night before. Pack a bag with snacks and essentials ahead of time to minimize stress the morning of. Getting the entire family out of the house is HARD. Give yourself some extra time and factor in a coffee stop…caffeine cures all. 😉 

2. Keep Your Expectations Low

…and your positive vibes high! “Ok, everyone pull it together and be on your best behavior!” Sound familiar? Well, spoiler alert: everyone was NOT on their best behavior and there were tears because #toddlers. I do this for a living and it happens- that’s reality! Family photographers love babies and toddlers, and while your kiddos causing a little chaos during the session may stress you out, it shouldn’t bother your photographer. Most of us have years of experience and plenty of tricks up our sleeve!

3. Let Your Photographer Lead

As parents, it’s natural for us to want to give our kids direction in new situations. But it can be hard for little ones if they’re being directed by multiple adults at once. Consider letting your photographer take the lead. A good family photographer knows how to build rapport and engage with kids of all ages. And if your children are anything like mine- having a less familiar/exciting new adult ask them to do things usuallyyyy yields better results in the end.

4. Consider Decor/Theme

Is your photographer is using a lot of colorful decor? Will there be a busy background? If the answer to either of these questions is yes, consider a neutral color palette for your outfits. Check out this blog post for more wardrobe advice: What to Wear to Your Boston Holiday Mini Session. Being thoughtful about your clothing choices is important for holiday sessions; you don’t want to clash or compete with the backdrop.

5. Styling is Important

Is this session just for the kids or will you be joining in? Coordinating outfits becomes more important the more people you add. You’ll want your outfits to complement each other to give your photographs a cohesive look. Fancy and festive, classic neutral or holiday jammies- there are so many directions you can go when it comes to choosing outfits. Looking for some holiday wardrobe inspiration? Check out my curated collection of Holiday Outfit Favorites (with links to shop!) HERE.

Bonus (and hopefully self-evident 😅) Tip: Arrive on Time

This is the most important tip and piece of advice I want to leave you with. With mini session events, most photographers are seeing A LOT of families back-to-back and there will be very little wiggle room in the schedule. Factor in things like finding parking and making a bathroom pit-stop. If you know you’ll need some time to change kiddos, fix hair, etc. you’ll want to build that buffer into your arrival time as well.

Experience the Magic of Christmas Mini Sessions

Registration for 2024 Christmas Mini Sessions Boston will open in July. The holiday season is a time of wonder, joy, and creating cherished memories with loved ones. Join us for a magical Santa Experience like no other – Christmas Mini Sessions…get all the details here!

Looking For A Boston Family Photographer?

Are you on the hunt for a photographer to help you document this season of life? I believe in taking care of every detail of the portrait experience so YOU don’t have to. Review My Portfolio and if you can see yourselves in images like these, I’d love to connect: Send Me A Message.

more reads from the blog

• What to Wear to Your Boston Holiday Mini Session
• 5 Tips for Boston Mini Sessions
• Styling Tips for Family Photos

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed my “Boston Photographer Mini Session | 5 Best Tips” feature.

Molly Katherine is a newborn photographer serving families in Boston and MetroWest MA. Molly provides a full-service experience ideal for busy Boston moms and their modern families. With a curated wardrobe, light-filled studio space and custom heirloom artwork design, Molly serves her clients well every step of the way. If you are drawn to simplistic, connection-filled images and are searching for a Boston maternity or newborn photographer, we may be a great fit.

I’d love to connect and share more about my process with you! To reserve your 2024 maternity, newborn or family portraits, visit Molly Katherine Photography or send an email to mollykatherinephotography@gmail.com.

Follow along on Instagram and let’s be friends!