Unleashing Creativity: How Christmas Portrait Sessions Can Transform Your Preschool Photography Business

Insights from the International School Photography Conference

On my recent trip to South Africa for the International School Photography Conference, hosted by Mzansi.Photos, I was reminded just how valuable face-to-face events can be. You never know what insights you’ll pick up from a different market, a new connection, or even a casual conversation.

This year, in Johannesburg at Fujifilm’s head office, I met Tash and Shaun from 'Photofox'. What began as a friendly chat about the local preschool photography industry quickly turned into a lightbulb moment—one of those ideas so simple and effective that you wonder how you never noticed it before.

The Magic of Christmas Portrait Sessions

Tash and Shaun mainly focus on preschools during the year and introduced Christmas Portrait Sessions (without Santa) to the same preschools they had already photographed earlier in the year. And the results? Absolutely incredible.

The photography ‘set-up’ is a simple two-light portable studio with a Christmas-themed backdrop and a few props. Tash and Shaun use Netlife Photosuite to photograph tethered, match data, automate workflow, and manage online sales.

How They Execute Their Vision

Here’s how they do it, in their own words:

“Our Christmas shoots run from September through mid-November, as schools break up in early December. That gives us just enough time to get everything back by the first week of December. Other markets around the world may have different schedules.

We take all the children’s photos at school. The school sends a message to parents asking them to dress their kids in red, white, green, denim, or any Christmas-themed shirt. We also send this info directly to parents as we already have their email and mobile from the 'normal' preschool photo session. We also provide the hats, headbands, teddies, props, and a beautifully printed backdrop.

Parents absolutely love it, after all, who doesn’t love Christmas? The photos make perfect gifts for grandparents and family, and become a fun part of the holiday season at home. On top of prints, we also offer gift tags, snow globes, puzzles, bubbles, Christmas stockings, and this year we’re adding Christmas sacks.

Importantly, this doesn’t interfere with our 'normal school photos', which we do from February to August. The Christmas sessions stand completely on their own, and parents buy like crazy. Honestly, we sell even more of these than regular photos. The kids are dressed up, everyone’s in the holiday spirit, and 85–90% of parents purchase them.”

Building Stronger Relationships

Their approach is simple, profitable, and incredibly effective. It doesn’t cannibalise existing sales; it builds stronger relationships with preschools and parents. It creates a joyful product that families treasure.

Your school year may run on different timelines, but the opportunity is there. Why not give it a try?

The Importance of Seasonal Offerings

Seasonal offerings like Christmas portrait sessions can significantly enhance your photography business. They provide a unique opportunity to engage with families in a festive atmosphere. This not only boosts sales but also strengthens community ties.

Families look forward to these sessions, making them a cherished tradition. By offering something special, you can differentiate your services from competitors.

Expanding Your Portfolio

Consider expanding your portfolio with other seasonal themes. Think about Easter, Halloween, or even back-to-school sessions. Each holiday presents a chance to create unique experiences for families.

By diversifying your offerings, you can attract a broader audience. This strategy can lead to increased revenue and a more robust business model.

Marketing Your Christmas Portrait Sessions

To successfully market your Christmas portrait sessions, leverage social media platforms. Share sneak peeks of your setups, showcase past sessions, and encourage parents to share their experiences.

Utilize email marketing to reach out to previous clients. Remind them of the joy these sessions bring and offer early bird discounts.

Conclusion: A Bright Future Ahead

A big thank you to preschool photographers Tash and Shaun from Photofox for letting me share their story and images. Their passion for what they do shines through in every image, creating beautiful memories that mums and dads will treasure for years to come.

Exciting Announcement

As I put this article live, I am happy to announce that our International school photography conference team has been invited to the world’s largest schools and sports photography conference in Las Vegas for January 2026!

Get your early bird tickets now! https://www.spac-usa.org/