Holiday Portrait Shoot-Out: Essential Tips and Tricks

Every year, as a festive thank you to my wonderful clients (and a sneaky way to reel in some new ones), I host a “Holiday Portrait Shoot-Out” weekend that’s so popular, it’s practically a holiday tradition of its own! And guess what? It sells out every single time. Let me spill the hot cocoa on how this merry event works—it’s a win-win for everyone involved!

Now, I usually steer clear of custom sessions with a holiday theme—most clients prefer something timeless they can showcase year-round. But come December, everyone’s itching for that perfect holiday card or gift-worthy portrait. That’s where the Holiday Shoot-Out comes in—a whirlwind of fun, festive, fast-paced photo magic! The goal? To create ONE spectacular image that’s card-ready and gift-perfect. Here’s the festive flow:

Step 1: Backdrop Bonanza

I pick out a holiday backdrop from BackgroundTown’s fabulous collection—why reinvent the snowflake when there are so many delightful designs to choose from? I order it early to make sure I have time to create samples for advertising and so everything’s ready for the big weekend.

Step 2: Package Prep

No session fees here—this is my gift to my clients! I set up a few different packages for them to choose from, some with cards, some without. It’s all about giving them options and spreading a little holiday cheer.

Step 3: Booking Blitz

I get my online calendar set up and charge a reservation fee equal to the smallest package. Clients can always upgrade later, but this ensures I’m covered. And yes, I make sure that the smallest package is priced at my “happy place”!

Step 4: Get the Word Out 

I send out a flurry of emails and schedule some festive social media posts. A twist: in past years, I’ve teamed up with an animal rescue, charging a session fee that's then donated back to them, and they help spread the word—talk about a win-win!

Step 5: Say Cheese!

I photograph the sessions tethered so clients can see their images right away and pick their favorite on the spot. We’re aiming for just ONE image, so I usually show them 4-5 options to choose from. It’s important to nail the exposure and lighting in-camera so the images look great in raw format and so you don’t need to spend much time working on them later.

Step 6: Retouch & Rush

ACI’s speedy turnaround time is a lifesaver. I do minimal retouching (such as leash removal on the pups) and get the prints ordered within 24 hours. My clients usually have their cards and photos ready to pick up within a week—making me their holiday hero!

Conclusion

And that’s it—a quick, easy, and fun-filled process that keeps my clients coming back year after year. I switch out the backdrop annually to keep things fresh, and this event always adds a nice little boost to end the year on a high note.

Final Images

Learn more about Lisa Asp on Instagram, and her website.