I Finally Offered Christmas Mini Sessions, After All These Years of Thinking About it.

I have for years wanted to do something Christmas related, only not in a cheesy way. And each year I thought about it but I just couldn't come up with the ideas. It didn't help that when I needed to be thinking about it, like in July, Christmas was the last thing on my mind. Not to mention finding the props is somewhat difficult that time of year.

So this year I allowed no excuses to get in the way. I was doing them no matter what. And I am glad I did. I forced myself to sit down and create the scene that would work for me.

Finding the props was still difficult as I was working on this in October. Despite what I had expected, the garden centres hadn't yet put up their displays and the online shops had only just started listing their Christmas products. So in the end I had to make my tree, which I love even though its rather heavy and a little unstable. Not sure it will survive another season to be honest. But I plan to make another with slightly smaller branches that I will ensure are thoroughly dried before we assemble, unlike the ones we used this year which I suspect is the problem.

I need to learn to work a little quicker. This type of shoot isn't what I am used to. My standard shoots have no time limit and include a lot of planning and discussion prior to the session so I can create something unique for each client. These mini sessions aren't meant to be unique but they don't leave me with loads of time to get everything just so, as I prefer with my full studio sessions. I need to learn to let go of my need for perfection when it comes to mini sessions. Next year, when I properly market these sessions I won't have a choice. I will need strict cut off points for each booking.

I am very pleased with those I did photograph this year. The children were lots of fun and I love that the parents find my work so magical and special. Each have said this is something they'd like to do every year which is of course what I want.

Now, believe it or not, I'll need to start planning next years. I can't do the same thing every year. What fun would that be for those who want to do this every year. I already have plenty of ideas brewing though and can't wait to try this all again. Soon I'll be all Christmased out though so again planning won't be easy.

I best get started now then. But you're going to have to wait until next Autumn to see what I come with.

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Christina Lauder Portraits

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