Cozy At-Home Holiday Photo Sessions in Portland, Oregon
If you’ve been wanting family holiday photos that feel real, not stiff or overly posed, I’m offering a new and unique experience this season. They’re called Holiday Story Sessions: relaxed, in-home photo sessions that document your family doing all the fun holiday things and celebrating they way only your family does.
This isn’t about forcing everyone to smile in matching outfits. It’s about capturing the real moments that make this time of year feel special. You might be baking cookies, hanging ornaments, playing games, lighting a menorah, or opening a few gifts. We’ll plan it together, and I’ll be there to photograph everything as it unfolds.
You’ll walk away with a full gallery of images that feel natural and full of life. If you add a film to your session, you’ll also get a 6 minute video of your family’s holiday story.
What is a Holiday Story Session?
This is a 2-2.5 hour photo session that takes place inside your home, only available during the fall season. It’s calm, slow-paced (basically the opposite of a mini session!), and designed around the things your family enjoys doing together during the holiday season. After booking, I’ll send a short questionnaire to help you plan out a few easy activities that will feel fun and natural for your family.
Here are some ideas that your family may want to do during your session:
- Baking holiday treats
- Decorating cookies
- Reading a favorite book together by the fire
- Playing board games
- Snuggling on the couch
- Making a blanket fort
- Decorating your Christmas tree
- Drinking hot cocoa, complete with whipped cream and marshmallows
- Lighting the menorah
- Letting each person open one gift
If you want your tree in the photos, make sure to have it up before your session date. It doesn’t need to be decorated yet. Doing that during your session can be part of the story!
How much direction do you give?
The session is mostly documentary, which means I’ll be photographing your family just being yourselves. But I’ll absolutely give gentle guidance when it helps. I might suggest where to sit for better light or how to shift slightly so I can get a more flattering angle.
You won’t need to perform or pose. We’ll just set the scene, and I’ll follow the moments as they unfold.
I’ll also make sure we try for one smiling-at-the-camera photo for your holiday card, if the kids are in the mood. I usually start the session with this while everyone’s still fresh, but if it’s not working right away, don’t stress. We can always try again later when everyone’s feeling more connected and relaxed. Maybe while reading a book together or snuggling on the couch. That’s often when the best smiles show up anyway.
What time do sessions start?
Most sessions begin around 9am. Morning light is soft and flattering in most homes, and kids tend to be happiest and most cooperative earlier in the day. I’ll help you choose the best time for your space, but 9am is a great place to start. If you book directly from my calendar, we can still adjust the timing later if needed.
These are only offered through early December. If you book in December and want to use the photos for holiday cards, I’ll send you a handful of edited sneak peeks within two days so you can still get them printed in time.
What if my house isn’t Pinterest-perfect?
No one’s house looks like a magazine every day, and that’s not what we’re aiming for. These sessions are about connection, not perfection.
We’ll plan ahead and decide which rooms we’ll be using so you can focus your energy there. Just clear the clutter, tuck away anything you don’t want in photos (like charging cords, toys, or yesterday’s snack dishes), and shove the rest in a closet. I won’t open it, I promise.
You don’t need to make your home look sterile or overly styled. It should still feel like your space. A lived-in, cozy home with a little holiday decor is already the perfect backdrop. Add some twinkle lights or a garland, and it instantly feels magical.
What if I want to use these photos for holiday cards?
If you book in November, you’ll have plenty of time to do that. If you book in early December, you may not have your full gallery back in time, but I’ll make sure you get a handful of print-ready sneak peeks within two days so you can still get your cards ordered if you’d like.
What to wear for holiday family photos at home
For in-home photo sessions, comfort and softness always photograph well. Pajamas are a great option, especially for baking or cuddling. Some casual outfits would also look great. Light, neutral tones look beautiful with at-home, natural lighting and holiday decor.
Some tips for what to wear:
- Choose neutrals like off-white, cream, oatmeal, or soft browns (they look best with your holiday decor and with the shadows of in-home sessions).
- Avoid bright red, which can reflect onto faces and skin.
- Bright white can look blue in photos, so go for a warmer off-white or cream instead.
TL;DR: Go for light colored neutrals
That being said, you may want to add in some fun accessories like a Santa hat or a reindeer antler headband. 😉
The goal is to feel like yourselves and to match the cozy, peaceful feel of the session. I’m happy to give feedback on outfit ideas if you want help with that.
Can we add a video?
Yes. If you add a family film to your Holiday Story Session, I’ll record real sound. That means when your kids yell “I made the biggest cookie!” or sing along to holiday music, it’ll all be included in your final video.
My typical family films are slow motion with music only. But these are different. This version includes a mix of slow motion and real-time footage with sound. You’ll get to hear their voices, the little jokes between siblings, and the way your family interacts. It turns your morning into an incredible memory time capsule.
Below is a typical family film. It’s not taken during the holidays but it’s an example of one of my films and the sweet moments of connection that we are aiming to capture 🙂
What you’ll receive
Every Holiday Story Session includes 75 or more high-resolution images delivered in an online gallery. If you add a video, you’ll also receive a six-minute family film (or longer) that includes both music and real audio.
Why these holiday sessions matter
If you’re the one always holding the camera, you probably already know how this goes. You look back through your phone, scrolling past video after video of your kids laughing or decorating or making a mess. And you realize you’re not in any of it.
You were there. You planned the morning. You made the cocoa. You helped them with the cookies. But you’re not in the photos, and your voice is the one behind the camera, not inside the memory.
That’s one of the biggest reasons I love these sessions.
You get to be in the pictures. In the video. In the moments. You’ll be in the frame, snuggled up on the couch, laughing in the kitchen, helping your kids unwrap that gift they’ve been eyeing all week.
And if your kids are getting older, this might be the last year they’re home for the holidays in the same way. My son is a senior this year, and I’m feeling this in a new way. I know how fast it goes, and I want you to have something that shows you were there with them, too.
This is your holiday gift to yourself and your family.
How to book your Portland holiday story session
I’m only booking a handful of Holiday Story Sessions this season. My associate photographer Claudia also has very limited availability. If this sounds like the right fit for your family, now is the time to get this scheduled. You can book directly online either with me (Becca) or with Claudia. Or send a message if you have any other questions or want to know about a specific date.
