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Christmas Sessions Maryland 2024
Planning One Year in Advance
Christmas Sessions Maryland. Every year, Rebecca Leigh Photography, begins the planning Christmas Sessions in Maryland for the following year. I keep a sketchbook of my ideas and they usually come to me during the holiday season. Each idea is written down and sketched in my planning book, and I create a checklist of items I will need to purchase to create the design for the following year. Since many Christmas Session props are plentiful during the holiday season, it behooves me to purchase items a year in advance.
These items get stocked away for the summer, when I start putting the set together to photograph, and subsequently open up the sign-up for booking the sessions that take place in November. So, as you can see, these photography Christmas sessions take quite a bit of planning in advance.
I send out a planning guide to clients when they book their session. As I am creating the sets, I am also thinking about what outfits will pair well with the colors and the set design. This is one of the reasons why I typically incorporate neutral colors along with a few accent colors to accommodate various outfits. Clients can click on links to the outfits that I share and purchase them for their photoshoot. But even if they are purchasing outfits from elsewhere, these outfit suggestions can be helpful for inspiration.
It is pretty awesome when clients do choose to purchase outfits from my suggestion guide and I notice them when I am photographing or editing. I think to myself, “yup, that looks perfect with the set design!” This is always great to see everything come together on the day of the photo sessions!
Outfit Selection for Christmas Sessions
Dresses, Sweaters, and Semi-formal Attire
I definitely think that shopping for dresses is easier than putting together outfits for boys, simply because dresses are naturally one piece. Trying to pick out boys outfits typically requires at least 2 pieces, or more if you want to get fancy. So I usually will suggest slacks with a knit sweater for dressy casual or slacks with a dress shirt and accessories for a more semi-formal look. The accessories could be a bow tie, a standard tie, vest, sports coat, or any combination of the above.
Socks and Shoes Complete the Look
Shopping for dress shoes for girls is probably a relatively easy task for most. Stores and online shops carry the classic styles. For boys I think loafers, boat shoes, or dress shoes work well. And I often say that even a “Converse style” or a “fashion” sneaker can be super cute on kids without detracting from their outfit.
Classic Christmas Set design for 2024 with Outfit Selection
For Christmas Mini Sessions 2024, the theme was a Classic Christmas. A traditional flocked 7.5 foot tree adorned with gold, silver, and white ornaments of varying sizes anchored the left side of the images. Then this beautiful French style loveseat was centered next to the large tree, flanked by another flocked pencil tree on the right. Nearby we had several smaller flocked trees, as well as, gifts, and little props.
Behind the loveseat I used a headboard to double as a fireplace, which worked just fine since the bottom section wasn’t visible in the photos. The mantle top had a garland and 3 handmade stockings that I sewed. A wreath was attached to the wall using a stick-on Command hook. From an artistic perspective, including various textures in the set gives it visual interest.
When clients asked me about what colors to wear, I was happy to tell them that this neutral, silver, and gold set would look perfect with any color they chose. It is important to wear something you feel comfortable in, and coordinate the family’s outfits around that.
Outfit selection really makes a big difference in the outcome of the photos. It does require some thought, and that is why I provide an outfit suggestion guide to help you get started. Socks can sometimes be overlooked, so make sure you’re okay with the color in case they show when sitting. Shoes should be clean and avoid sports sneakers with prominent logos and colors, as they will look out of place in a formal setting.
Props for the Children
Many of my clients have young children and we all know that toddlers like to move! That is totally normal! So including a few unbreakable items for kids to hold during photos is always helpful to pique their interest. This year I had plastic snow globes that I made. Ornaments on the tree are never made from glass in case children handle them. And the little wooden train under the tree was strategically placed for kids to play with while they sit on the floor.
Christmas Sessions Maryland 2024
Thank you to all of the families who came to the studio for Christmas mini session photos this year! I love providing you with images that you can use for your holiday cards and social media posts to share with your families and friends. It is very gratifying for me personally as well, because as an artist, I just love seeing you all in the set bringing the vision to life! Happy New Year!
Here are a few more images from some of the Christmas sessions in Maryland.
Would you like to view some of the past holiday sets with Rebecca Leigh Photography? Check out these blog posts below.
Studio Christmas Minis from 2017-2022 Blog Post
Interested in Christmas Sessions in Maryland for 2025? They take place in November and information is sent out in the summer to my email list. Click here to add your email.
I give clients a list of shops for outfits, when they book a session. I have several favorite online boutiques, including Ivy City Co and Joyfolie for unique holiday dresses.
