Allow me to paint a perhaps-all-too-familiar picture for you…
Apart from the fact that you can’t believe another holiday season is upon us, you are secretly rather excited that you get to bust out the pine scented candles and drink all things peppermint. Though you must admit, you also hold your breath at the thought of sending out Christmas cards. All those designs to pick from. Foil pressed. That sounds fancy. Ugh, there’s an upcharge for that? Wait, what’s our budget again? Oh my word I forgot about the cost of stamps! Do they need to match the card? Is anyone really paying attention to the stamp? Okay, whatever, I know those relatives who live a drive away are anticipating a Christmas card, even though they saw my children last month… or last week… okay last night. Do I just take a photograph with my phone? Does a photo from last spring count? Grandpa took a good one last week of everyone. I can just use that right? Oh geesh should I get one of the whole family? Oh my word, I don’t have any photographs of the whole family! Okay photographers, photographers, photographers… shopping, cooking, shopping, Christmas parties, cookie baking, shopping. Ahhhhh! That’s it. I’m just going to get the peppermint mocha.
Christmas Card Sessions!
Perhaps it is still possible that sending family and friends a simple word of holiday cheer can be a place of enjoyment, rather than a place of reluctance and angst. Allow me to make that possible for you by offering up a Christmas Card Session! Here’s how it will work.
What are the session details?
Your Christmas Card Session will include a full lifestyle family photography session either in your home as a Bed and Breakfast Session (more below) or a Golden Hour Session at an outdoor location of your choosing. Congruent with my lifestyle approach toward photography, our focus will be on the relational dynamic of your family, which means plenty of laughter and snuggles. Although we will certainly aim to capture that photograph with everyone looking at the camera and smiling in our 60 minutes together.
How many images are included?
Within 2 weeks of your session date I will deliver to your email a fully downloadable online gallery with 75+ photographs. Of those, you will select a small handful of images (5-7) that may be incorporated into your holiday card design.
How many Christmas Cards are included?
Your initial investment will include your first 25, custom designed Christmas Cards with color matching linen envelopes delivered directly to your home.
So you design the Christmas Card?
Yes, but you get to select the initial card design!
I will curate for you two unique card designs in your Christmas Card Sessions card shop based on your own personal template selections. You will then have the ability to adapt my design to your liking, such as custom text, swapping out of images, photograph layout, and calligraphy greetings. You may even choose a different design entirely from a gallery of 30 additional, fully customizable cards.
How quickly will I receive my Christmas Cards?
Once your online gallery has been delivered, I would suggest you select the images that will appear in your card shop within 3 days to best ensure a timely delivery, along with the 2 card design templates of your choosing.
Once selected, I will customize your card based on the design template and images you have chosen.
From there you are welcome to adjust your favorite design (or create a new design entirely!) in your card shop and simply click “Approve”. As soon as you approve, I will have your cards ordered for delivery straight to your doorstep!
You mentioned a Bed and Breakfast Session, as opposed to a Golden Hour Session. What’s the difference?
Golden Hour sessions are all about the outdoors, and although the golden hour of sunset is not a guarantee on these cool end of Autumn evenings, nothing says a midwest Christmas more than scarves and snuggling.
Although the cold also has us all snuggled in pajamas with cups of coffee and hot chocolate, does it not?!
Bed and Breakfast Sessions will simply take place in your home for the entirety of your session. We will begin cozied up in jammies (this is where the matching red stripes are a go) ideally in your master bedroom. From there we will pull some cinnamon rolls or a breakfast favorite out of the oven and spend some time capturing your beautiful family sharing a meal together. And of course there are all the shots in between.
I’d love to book a morning session but outside as opposed to my home. Is that possible?
Certainly! While golden hour offers the best light, frequent Novembers gray skies may mean that the only difference between a morning outdoor session and an afternoon outdoor session is the time! Simply select a morning session time in the below form and note that you would like to choose an outdoor location.
Before we go on, how much does all of this cost?
Your investment is $350.
Remember, Christmas Card Sessions are a full Lifestyle Family Session. Although instead of receiving a custom USB drive with your gallery of images, you will be receiving your first 25 Christmas Cards. Your entire gallery of images will of course still be fully downloadable.
What if I need more than 25 Christmas Cards?
Of course! You may purchase additional cards in increments of 5 at the cost of $2 per card before upgrades. Your standard cards are 5×7 in size with white or color matching linen envelopes, and the option of foil pressing.
I normally spring for the upgrades: rounded corners, printed envelopes, etc. Is that an option?
Certainly! Upgrades are included in your first 25 cards as well! However, keep in mind that additional card orders must include identical upgrades.
Upgrades include a variety of boutique card shapes, silver or gold lined envelopes, as well as printed envelopes. I will provide a price sheet with upgrades at your convenience.
May extended family members join in the fun?
Most certainly extended relatives are welcome with a further investment of $25/per additional family member. Pets are always welcome at no additional fee :)
Please inquire with me directly if you’re interested in a full on Extended Family Session. You may book one of the below dates as such. Simply leave a note with your booking inquiry and we can chat what that would look like.
Will you have any props?
I will not. However for outdoor Golden Hour sessions we will be doing some seated poses, so please feel free to bring a large blanket that compliments your color palette that won’t mind the dirt… or perhaps even snow!
For Bed and Breakfast Sessions, we will chat about how to best prepare for a session in your home and the food involved. Sounds delicious.
I’m in! How do I book a session with you, Jennifer?
Lovely! Simply fill in the Christmas Card Sessions form below, and be on the look out for an email from me within one or two business days.
Oh and meet my little Bed and Breakfast models ;) From our home to yours. Merry [almost] Christmas!
