Holiday Minis: Magical Moments from Christmas 2024

I did two rounds of holiday minis in my New Jersey studio this year—and they were both SO much fun! I’ve already given you a peek into my first round (with a cozy Christmas living room setup), but now it’s time for a few more magical moments, this time from my Santa sessions!

Santa sessions are always a HUGE hit with my families and their kiddos. Who doesn’t love to spend some time with Father Christmas?

I think this year was my favorite so far for Santa sessions. (And yes, I do say that every year. They just keep getting better and better!) Seeing the excitement and wonder on the faces of those littles as they talk with Santa Claus or find their names on his list (the Nice list, of course!) is just the best. I couldn’t ask for a better way to kick off the holiday season.

And of course, these holiday minis make the best greeting cards and gifts for grandparents. (Can you just picture an ornament made from a photo like this every year?) This is one reason I hold my holiday sessions early (usually in October and November). I want you to have plenty of time to use these pictures as part of your celebration.

If you missed the fun this year, be sure to subscribe to my email list to be the first to know when I open my schedule for holiday bookings in 2025! (There’s a spot to sign up at the bottom of my home page). I am already so excited for Santa sessions next fall. Not even kidding. It’s my favorite day of the whole year!

Hoping I’ll see you in the studio in 2025! (Get in touch here to schedule your newborn, cake smash, or family session—I’m already booking up fast!) In the meantime, just know that I’m wishing you and your family the best and happiest Christmas season and lots of magical moments this December!

Holiday Mini Sessions in New Jersey '24

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! I know, I know, we just barely did Thanksgiving! But as a photographer I always get a very early start on the holidays, usually doing my holiday mini sessions in October and early November.

This year’s first round of holiday mini sessions happened over a busy October weekend. I had so many families come through the studio. I loved seeing everyone and our sessions were amazing! (Next round will be Santa sessions, which are always a huge hit. Can’t wait!)

I change up my background setup a bit every year. A lot of my families have made photo sessions at Jennifer Parrello Photography an annual tradition and use their images in their holiday greeting cards and newsletters, so I like to make sure they have a new look to share each time. This year I had a traditional cozy Christmas setup, complete with trees, fun toys, and Santa’s bag of presents!

All the kids had so much fun creating some festive magic and they were all smiles and giggles. None of my little clients leave a holiday session empty-handed either. They loved the special reindeer food I sent home with them to sprinkle on their lawn and help guide Santa’s reindeer to their house on Christmas Eve!

The weekend was nonstop—not only did I have a ton of families coming through my doors for these short and sweet seasonal sessions, but I also got all of the editing done too. I know how much these memories mean to people and that they want to share them immediately, so I pride myself on lightning fast turnaround time. All of my families had their final galleries back to them within 72 hours. Now that’s what I call some Christmas magic!

If you missed the fun this year, be sure to subscribe to my email list to be the first to know when I open my schedule for holiday bookings in 2025! (There’s a spot to sign up at the bottom of my home page).

Hope to see you next year! In the meantime, I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season and enjoy this special time together!

Holiday Photo Sessions 2023: Peek into This Year's Christmas Magic in New Jersey!

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Can you believe it’s almost Christmas? For me, the holidays always start extra early, because as a New Jersey photographer it’s my job to make sure that Christmas photo magic happens in time for holiday cards and gifts! This year was no different. My photography studio turned into a cozy nook for Santa and friends for a few days in October and November, and I’m so excited to share some of the photos with you!

I did a couple of different sets this year. One was full of dark wood tones, reds, and greens, and the other was an elegant white set that made for a bright, but still cozy and magical, look. They both turned out so beautiful!

Santa Sessions

And of course, no season of holiday photos is complete without some Santa sessions! Santa was insanely awesome (he always is) and the kiddos absolutely loved spending some one-on-one time with him, reading stories and taking a peek inside his bag.

It was so fun to have some of my favorite faces back in the studio for these holiday pictures! I love that this has become an annual tradition for many of my clients, and one that they look forward to just as much as I do!

Join Us Next Time for Our Magical New Jersey Holiday Photos

These Christmas photo sessions in New Jersey are pure magic, and the perfect way to get ready for the holidays! These holiday portraits have become my most popular seasonal offering, and if you want to be in on the festivities you have to move fast! I usually announce these sessions in the summer, so be sure to subscribe to my email list to be the first to know. And don’t forget to keep an eye on the blog and my Facebook and/or Instagram pages for all the fun sneak peeks as well!

I so hope I’ll be seeing you in the studio for some Christmas magic next year! In the meantime, if there are other memories I can capture for you in 2024, I hope I’ll be hearing from you very soon. I can’t wait for your session!

Holiday Photos 2023: Book Your Christmas Mini Session!

I know you haven’t even started figuring out Halloween costumes for the kids yet, but guess what? It’s already time to book your holiday photos for 2023! Photographers start thinking about Christmas way ahead of anybody else (we’re talking even before the retail stores), because we want you to have your pictures in time for the actual holidays!

I’m offering THREE different types of Christmas Mini Sessions this year, so no matter what your style, there is something for everybody.

Santa Mini Sessions

I’m already sold out of Santa sessions! I love getting an early visit from Father Christmas each year! These are always a huge hit with the kiddos, and I’m so excited to capture this extra special Christmas magic on November 12th.

Formal Holiday Mini Sessions

I have just a few spots left for my formal holiday mini sessions. Usually I go for the very cozy look and create a set with traditional Christmas colors of reds and greens. I will be offering that again this year (on Sunday, October 22nd), but I decided to branch out and also offer a more light-and-bright version featuring whites and golds. (Family formals using this set will be held on Sunday, October 15th). As I mentioned, these are going really fast, so this is your reminder to choose your session and reserve a time soon!

New Jersey/New York Holiday Photos

I absolutely LOVE doing these festive mini sessions! They are a highlight of the year for me, and have become a family tradition for many of my clients. They really are such a great way to get in the mood in the run-up to Christmas, and these pictures make the best holiday cards and gifts for friends and family! Hope I’ll be seeing you in the studio so we can celebrate the season together!