When Should You Book Family Photos for Christmas Cards? A Lehigh Valley Photographer's Guide
- Rebecca Groller
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
If sending Christmas cards is part of your family's holiday tradition, one of the best things you can do is plan ahead.
Every year, I hear from families in October and November hoping to squeeze in a last-minute session before the holidays. While I always wish I could accommodate everyone, the reality is that my fall calendar fills quickly each year.
If you're hoping for beautiful family portraits for your holiday cards, gifts, or home, here's the timeline I recommend.
August 1: Booking Opens
My Fall Mini Sessions, Outdoor Fall Family Sessions, Outdoor Christmas Sessions, and Studio Christmas Sessions all open for booking on August 1 each year.
While Christmas may still feel months away, this is when many families reserve their preferred session date. Booking early gives you the best selection of dates, locations, and session types before the busiest weekends fill.
It also gives you plenty of time to plan outfits, coordinate schedules, and choose the session experience that's the best fit for your family.
Why Book So Early?
Many families are surprised to learn that Christmas card photos are typically taken before Thanksgiving.
My Outdoor Fall Family Sessions, Outdoor Christmas Sessions and Red Truck Sessions are photographed during October, while Studio Christmas Sessions take place throughout October and November. All sessions are completed before Thanksgiving, giving you plenty of time to receive your professionally edited images, choose your favorites, order holiday cards, and purchase gifts for family and friends.
Planning ahead means you'll have:
The best selection of available session dates
Beautiful fall scenery or festive holiday settings
Plenty of time for professional editing
Time to choose your favorite images
Time to order holiday cards, gifts, and wall art before the holiday rush
Instead of feeling rushed as the holidays approach, you'll already have one important item checked off your list and be able to enjoy the season with your family.
Which Holiday Session Is Right for Your Family?
When booking opens on August 1, you'll have several seasonal session options to choose from depending on the style and experience you're looking for.
Fall Mini Sessions
My Fall Mini Sessions are offered on select dates in October at carefully chosen outdoor locations throughout the Lehigh Valley. These shorter sessions are perfect for families looking for updated portraits for holiday cards, gifts, or annual family photos in a beautiful fall setting.
Because mini sessions are scheduled back-to-back, the date, location, and session length are predetermined.
Outdoor Fall Family Sessions
If you'd like a little more flexibility, an Outdoor Fall Family Session may be the perfect fit.
These sessions are scheduled throughout October and allow you to choose from a variety of beautiful outdoor locations throughout the Lehigh Valley. With more time and flexibility, they're ideal for families with young children, those who want a wider variety of images, or anyone who prefers choosing the location that best fits their family's style. Please note, availability is very limited so please reach out right away if you're interested.
Outdoor Christmas Sessions & Red Truck Sessions
Looking for a festive holiday feel without heading into the studio? My Outdoor Christmas Sessions are offered at two beautiful locations in the Lehigh Valley—a charming tree farm and a picturesque covered bridge. My Red Truck Sessions also take place at a local tree farm and give you the perfect nostalgic feel for your holiday card. These sessions combine the beauty of the holiday season with natural outdoor light, creating timeless Christmas portraits that are perfect for holiday cards, gifts, and family keepsakes.
Studio Christmas Sessions
If you love a cozy indoor holiday atmosphere, my Studio Christmas Sessions are available throughout October and November. Featuring multiple beautifully styled Christmas sets, these sessions provide a classic holiday look while keeping you comfortable regardless of the weather.
All holiday sessions are completed before Thanksgiving, giving you plenty of time to receive your images, order Christmas cards, and purchase gifts well before the holiday rush.
Why October and November Are My Busiest Months
October and November are by far my busiest months of the year—and for good reason.
October is filled with Fall Mini Sessions, Outdoor Fall Family Sessions, and the beginning of both my Outdoor Christmas Sessions and Studio Christmas Sessions. As the season continues, November shifts to studio Christmas sessions, with all holiday portraits completed before Thanksgiving.
Many families are planning ahead for Christmas cards, holiday gifts, and updating family portraits before the busy holiday season begins. Since these seasonal sessions are offered for a limited time each year, they naturally book quickly.
To provide every family with the best possible experience, I intentionally limit the number of sessions I accept each season. This allows me to offer flexibility for weather, maintain my turnaround times, and give each client the personalized attention they deserve from planning through gallery delivery.
If you have your heart set on a particular type of session or a specific weekend, booking when registration opens on August 1 gives you the best chance of securing your preferred date.
Don't Forget About Holiday Card Deadlines
Your photo session is just one step in the process.
After your session, your images are professionally edited before your proof gallery is delivered. You'll then have time to choose your favorite portraits, order holiday cards, and purchase gifts such as framed prints, albums, or wall art for family members.
By scheduling your session early in the season, you'll avoid the pressure of last-minute holiday deadlines and have everything ready well before Christmas.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I book family photos for Christmas cards?
Booking opens on August 1 each year, and that's the best time to reserve your session. October and November are my busiest months, and many of the most popular dates are booked early.
Can I use my fall family photos for Christmas cards?
Absolutely! Many families choose colorful fall portraits for their holiday cards. The beautiful autumn scenery creates timeless images that work perfectly for Christmas cards while still celebrating the season.
What's the difference between a Fall Mini Session and a Full Fall Family Session?
Fall Mini Sessions are offered on select dates at predetermined locations and are perfect if you're looking for updated family portraits in a shorter session.
A Full Fall Family Session offers more time, greater flexibility, and the opportunity to choose the location that best fits your family's style.
What's the difference between an Outdoor Christmas Session and a Studio Christmas Session?
Outdoor Christmas Sessions take place at two beautiful Lehigh Valley locations—a tree farm and a covered bridge—and feature natural light with a festive holiday feel.
Studio Christmas Sessions are photographed indoors using beautifully styled holiday sets, making them a great option regardless of the weather while offering a classic Christmas look.
When will I receive my photos?
Your proof gallery is delivered within approximately two weeks of your session, giving you plenty of time to order holiday cards and gifts before Christmas.
What if the weather is bad for my outdoor session?
If rain or unsafe weather is in the forecast, we'll simply reschedule your outdoor session for another available date.
Do Christmas sessions sell out?
Yes. Because I intentionally limit the number of seasonal sessions I photograph each year, many dates fill quickly after booking opens on August 1.
Ready to Book Your Holiday Session?
Whether you're planning ahead for Christmas cards, looking for the perfect family gift, or simply wanting to capture this season of life, now is the time to start planning.
Booking for Fall Mini Sessions, Outdoor Fall Family Sessions, Outdoor Christmas Sessions, and Studio Christmas Sessions opens on August 1 each year. Because these seasonal sessions are available for a limited time and my calendar fills quickly, reserving your session early gives you the best selection of dates and locations.
If you're ready to create beautiful holiday portraits your family will treasure for years to come, I'd love to help you find the session that's the perfect fit.
Comments