Planning Tips for a Successful Holiday Photography Season

Planning Tips for a Successful Holiday Photo Sessions

It’s almost that time of year again for… Yes, you guessed it -- FAMILY HOLIDAY SESSIONS!

The end of the year is quickly approaching and now is the time to make sure you are ahead of the game with your planning.  Here are a few tips and things you can do to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible:

1. Make Sure to Check & Double Check Your Calendar

Lay out your schedule ON PAPER!

Honestly, I feel like the smartphone and computer calendars are very fancy and all, but I prefer a REAL piece of paper and pen to back me up when times get busy.

I am always nervous about a lost phone or digital crash wiping out my whole Fall booking schedule.  And there is nothing like a big ol’ desk calendar to make you feel prepared and organized.

Before you start happily emailing and publishing your open dates for family and Fall photo sessions, take a few minutes to look at your own family's schedule and write in important dates so you don't have to reschedule or scramble last minute to accommodate everything.

Here is a list of some potential family events you don't want to forget about: 

• Spouse or partners holiday work party
• Kids evening activities or school parties
• Your own appointment for Hair or personal upkeep
• Your kids/spouse hair appointments
• Scheduling your own families session
• Shopping for or styling your own families session
• Out of town trips
• Family or friends coming to visit
• Fall Festivals
• Community Service dates
• Holiday shopping 

2. Make a Contingency Plan

I also like to schedule out potential “disaster relief dates”.  Yes, I realize that sounds funny and dramatic… but just wait until you actually NEED to use that date.  You'll be very thankful for the idea.

Here are a few reasons you may need to schedule out a relief date where you don’t plan any sessions, or out of town trips.

• Both you or your client may need to reschedule from real illness for yourself or family member.
• You can use your disaster dates to catch up on editing. 
• Poor weather - none of us can control that! 

And if magically, you run a perfect holiday season of sessions with no rescheduling, you can use your disaster dates to squeeze in that friend who flies by the seat of their pants and always asks for photos last minute!

OR, you can always just relax… 

All images were all edited with "Calypso" Lightroom Preset from the Pretty Film Bohemian.

Do you have any questions or comments about Planning for a Successful Holiday Photography Season?  Leave us a comment below - we would love to hear from you!  And PLEASE SHARE this post using the social sharing buttons (we really appreciate it)!