We all adore the beautiful holiday card moment. The sweet outfits, the twinkling lights, and the joy of watching your little one meet a favorite holiday icon, whether that’s Santa, Elsa or the Mischievous Grinch. 🎄
What we don’t love? Long lines, happy tears turning into overwhelmed tears, a frightened little one, or the disappointment of a performer who doesn’t meet the magical standards everyone was hoping for.
Whether you’re a family, a photographer or a business planning a holiday photo experience, we have a few helpful tips to help you avoid the tears. ✨
The big idea: don’t just plan a photo session. Plan a holiday event! Here are some ways to do it.
1. Start with a 30-Minute Icebreaker
Before the character sits down with your family for those heartwarming smiles, begin the event with a 30-minute icebreaker activity. Think gingerbread house building, ornament decorating, snowman friends and more. Add the character, some holiday helpers and/or activity stations to the mix.
While guests get busy with the fun, the character mingles and interacts with them. That gives little ones time to warm up to our larger-than-life friends, with an activity to help ease the introduction. ⛄
2. Use Order Numbers Instead of Lines
Give each guest an order number as they enter. After the 30-minute icebreaker, begin calling numbers as it’s each family’s turn for photos.
This way, families can keep their little ones focused on fun and relaxed until it’s their turn, rather than holding them in a line with growing anxiety. 🎟️
3. Offer Several Small Activity Stations
Set up a few small stations so families and little ones can use their hands, stay calm and have something to do while they wait. Bonus: they’ll have something to show off with pride when it’s picture time! 🎁
4. Try a Scavenger Hunt
Prefer something more adventurous? Turn the event into a scavenger hunt. At each station a child visits, they earn a stamp, and one of those stations is the photo station with the character. A little extra incentive to visit the character never hurts! 🗺️
Make It a Moment, Not a Line
When you plan a holiday event instead of just a photo session, the children get time to warm up, the grown-ups get to relax, and the photos reflect real smiles. That’s the magic we’re all hoping to capture. 💜
If you’re a family, photographer or business planning a holiday photo event, we’d love to hear from you.