Christmas Mini Sessions with JW Brown Photography
It’s official—Christmas mini session season for this year has come and gone, and wow. What a whirlwind. Over six weeks, I had the absolute joy of seeing so many families, both in the studio and out in the fresh air.
Note: I schedule similar types for each each year in October-December, and they release over email a couple of months before that. Be sure you’re on my email list to get all of the information!
Christmas Mini Session Season in Ridgefield, CT: Over 100 Families Captured
This year’s Christmas mini session season at my Ridgefield, CT studio—and around Fairfield County—was absolutely incredible. Over six weeks, I had the honor of photographing more than 100 families from Fairfield, Westchester, Dutchess, and Putnam counties — and some from further afield. One hundred. Families. It’s exhausting to type, but in the best possible way.
These sessions are designed to make holiday photos effortless, joyful, and timeless for families. Whether you want kids-only portraits, full family images, indoor studio magic, or an outdoor tree farm experience, there’s a mini session option that fits your family perfectly—and I love making it easy for parents to get beautiful images without stress.
1. Christmas Tree Farm Minis
There’s something about a tree farm in December that feels like stepping into a holiday movie. Rows of deep green pine, crisp air, and soft golden light—this is a setting that doesn’t need much styling to feel magical.
Families bundled up in cozy sweaters, kids ran through the paths between the trees, and we got the perfect images for holiday cards! The resulting images are natural, warm, and full of genuine smiles. I love that the tree farm Christmas mini session gives families something playful and outdoorsy without being overly posed, and many families make it a tradition year after year. As a result, it’s the session type that generally sells out the fastest each year!
2. Kids-Only Christmas Pajamas at my ridgefield studio
One of my favorite setups in the studio is the kids-only Christmas pajama mini session. It’s been a long-standing tradition at JWB, dating back to 2019, when my business was in its infancy and I set up a scene in my own living room! Now I’m in a professional studio of my own (much preferred!)
There’s something so joyful about seeing little ones in matching PJs, climbing onto a holiday-styled bed, and snuggling up with their siblings.
This past year, I used white, gold, and cedar green, along with a few twinkle lights, to give the setup that cozy, glowing holiday feeling. It’s playful, relaxed, and truly captures the sweetness of the season with little ones—exactly what I want from every Christmas mini session.
3. Kids-Only Neutrals With Twinkle Lights
For families who wanted something a little more understated, the neutral setup with twinkle lights was the perfect option. It’s also great for families who don’t celebrate Christmas, or are just looking for something more subtle. Warm creams, soft textures, and a gentle glow from the lights made this holiday/Christmas mini session feel dreamy and timeless. Because I like to be cute, I called this one, “All is Bright.” And I think it worked.
Kids love this setup too—it’s calm, simple, and lets their personality shine. Parents often tell me they love that these images will look beautiful on the walls year-round, not just during the holidays. Minimal styling, maximum magic. In past years I’ve let kids play with glitter. Maybe I’ll bring that back someday!
4. Cozy Christmas (For families)
One of the best parts of the studio is the cozy couch setup with holiday décor. This family-focused Christmas mini session option was full of soft pillows, greenery, and subtle festive touches, a Christmas scene that’s perfect for either an entire family or just the kids.
5. Family SIMPLE STUDIO MINI SESSIONS
Not everyone wants a holiday-specific photo, and I love that I could offer a simple, neutral setup for families who wanted classic portraits instead. This mini session option featured a leather couch and white brick wall wall—no red, no green, no holiday props. Just clean, timeless images that are perfect for cards, walls, or gifts anytime of year. Families had the option to dress in their holiday finest, or else choose a more neutral, non-holiday style.
Even without Christmas styling, these sessions were full of warmth, connection, and personality. Simplicity never goes out of style, and this setup was a favorite for families who prefer a more understated look. And, if families choose to lean into the “holiday” look, they can always dress in festive colors.
Fall Foliage Minis
Before Christmas season fully hit, I also offered fall foliage minis, which are always a favorite. The Connecticut trees this year were stunning—golden leaves, fiery reds, and deep oranges everywhere you looked.
These sessions have a completely different feel from a Christmas mini session, but they’re just as popular. How could they not be, with October in CT in the background? And fall pictures also look great for holiday cards.
Over 100 Families in Six Weeks!
It’s truly my joy to capture these moments for my clients. And while the schedule was non-stop, at the end of the day, I get to provide images I know these families will always cherish. And that makes this work truly meaningful for me.
I always have a plan for posing and promoting that allows for both flexibility (kids are kids, after all!) as well as variety in every gallery. Parents consistently shared how easy and enjoyable it was to get professional holiday photos — and in a relatively short session at that. That’s exactly the experience I aim to provide with every fall, holiday, and Christmas mini session.
Reserve Your Spot for Next Year
If you’re thinking ahead to next year’s fall, holiday, or Christmas mini session and you live near Fairfield, Westchester, Putnam, or Dutchess County, the best way to secure your spot is to join my email list. Every year, session openings go live in August or September, and they fill quickly—families often book within hours because these sessions are so popular.
My clients love these mini sessions because they make holiday photos easy, joyful, and efficient. In just 15 minutes, they get beautiful, ready-to-use images that capture their family’s personalities, your children’s smiles, and the warmth of the season.
That’s the magic of these sessions: You leave with images you can use immediately for cards, gifts, or wall display. And, it’s a pretty painless 15-minutes.
Whether you prefer a Christmas tree farm session, the kids-only pajama setup, a neutral twinkle lights session, a cozy family couch with holiday décor, or a simple non-Christmas family portrait, each option is designed to feel natural, timeless, and fun for your family.
By joining the email list, you’ll be among the first to know when next year’s openings go live. That way, you can reserve your preferred date and setup before it fills up, ensuring your family gets the session that’s just right for you. You’re also welcome to reach out to me via my contact form to inquire about a family, maternity, or newborn session.
In short: These mini sessions are about making holiday photos simple, meaningful, and enjoyable—so you can spend less time worrying and more time enjoying the season with your family. And I’m already planning for next year!
