Christmas is just around the corner! Plan your Christmas 2025 campaign today!

September marks the ideal starting point to get started with your Christmas 2025 campaign. After the summer break, we are back with renewed energy and looking forward to a new year full of opportunities. And what better way to start than by preparing in advance for the long-awaited Christmas sessions. If you don’t yet have much experience organising this type of Christmas photo shoot, it may seem a little early. However, the experience of many photographers who have spent years working with families and children at this time of year proves the opposite: the earlier you start planning, the smoother and more cost-effective the process will be. Leaving it to the last minute means working in a rush, improvising on decorations and, in many cases, missing the opportunity to reach all those families who book in advance. Planning ahead will not only allow you to design an attractive and unique Christmas set, but also to calmly prepare the communication strategy, organise the booking schedule and make sure your campaign stands out from the competition.

In this article, we will give you practical tips on how to make your Christmas 2025 campaign a success: from how to plan your studio decorations, to the publicity needed to attract clients and turn these sessions into a key part of your annual turnover. 

September is the ideal time to start planning your Christmas 2025 campaign.

 

 

What do you need to consider before launching your Christmas 2025 campaign?

 

The Christmas 2025 campaign will most likely be the last big story you organise before the end of the year. That is precisely why it is essential that you prepare it without leaving any detail to chance. To achieve this, it is important that you make a plan that allows you to work with order, anticipation and strategy. Here are some ideas:

• Define your objectives clearly. Before you start, put your goals into numbers: how many sessions do you want to carry out this season? What minimum turnover do you expect to achieve? Once the campaign is over, compare these figures with the results obtained in previous years. This analysis will give you a realistic view of your growth and the adjustments you could make for next year.
• Know your audience in depth. Not all customers are looking for the same thing. Research the profile of those who usually book these sessions. With this information you will be able to design a much more refined offer and communication, aimed at your ideal client.
• Plan each session in detail. Calculate the production costs of your photo shoots and define a fair price that guarantees profitability. A good forecast will help you to avoid unforeseen events and to better value your work.
• Prepare your studio for Christmas. It’s not just about the photographic set, create a warm atmosphere with lights and carols, and offer small details such as Christmas sweets for the little ones. Every gesture adds up and makes families remember your studio as a special place.
• Organise communication and outreach. It is not enough to have the studio ready: make sure you give visibility to your sessions well in advance. Design email marketing campaigns, postings on social media and, if necessary, prepare printed materials. The important thing is that your audience knows in time and can book without rushing.

12 ideas that will make your Christmas sessions a success!

 

For any children’s photographer or even for those who do other types of social reportage, the Christmas 2025 campaign can become one of the most powerful sources of income before the end of the year. Precisely for this reason, these sessions should not be left to chance or improvisation: the key is to plan ahead and take care of every detail. If you want your sessions to be truly profitable and at the same time memorable for your clients, the first thing you need to do is to stop for a moment, pick up a pen and paper and start shaping your strategy. Pre-organisation will make the difference between a successful campaign and one that leaves you feeling like you’ve rushed and missed the mark.

In this guide we have compiled 12 practical tips to help you structure, plan and make the most of your Christmas sessions this year. From the definition of objectives to the studio setting, from communication with your clients to the profitability of each shoot, you’ll find a clear path so that nothing is out of control.

And here’s a hint: the last recommendation is undoubtedly the most important of all, so pay special attention because it can mark a turning point in the way you work these campaigns.

1# Choose the perfect theme for your Christmas 2025 campaign

This is definitely the first step to take. When preparing your Christmas 2025 shoots, it is essential to create an original set that stands out from previous Christmas 2025 shoots. The more elaborate and thoughtful the setting, the more customers you will attract and the more memorable the experience will be. Make sure your decorations have different tones and details than last year. This will not only capture the attention of new clients, but will also encourage the loyalty of those who have already enjoyed your sessions in previous years. Here are some ideas to inspire you in the theme of your 2025 Christmas campaign:

• Christmas Village: recreates a small avenue with little houses, street lamps and snow. A setting full of charm and photographic possibilities.
• Starry sky: use a dark background with points of light that simulate stars. Add a tree, reindeer or hanging lights for a magical effect.
• Santa’s house: a classic that children love. Simulates Santa’s façade and includes a letter box.
• Living room with fireplace: ideal for a cosy atmosphere. Reproduce a Christmas living room with a fireplace, hanging stockings and small details reminiscent of the movies.
• Decorated with sweets: gingerbread biscuits, candy canes, cupcakes and candyfloss. A fun and colourful setting.
• Winter forest: simulate a fir forest with artificial snow, logs and winter clothes, perfect for more natural and contemplative photos.

The key is to combine creativity, originality and attention to detail to make each session unique and unforgettable. Plan ahead, adapt your resources and make sure each setting conveys the magic of Christmas to your clients.

2# Design a décor that makes your Christmas sessions stand out

Once you have defined the theme for your Christmas 2025 shoots, the next step is to get to work on the decor. You can opt for a Christmas background that allows you to save time in the manual creation of part of the decoration, or you can build your own structures, such as the façade of Santa’s house, which you can reuse in other years by changing only the decorative elements. Christmas trees are an essential element in this type of session. If you don’t already have one, it is advisable to incorporate it into your studio. By changing the colours and details of the tree every season, you will make your decor look fresh and different year after year.

To set the scene for Christmas, here are some materials you may find useful:

• Christmas-themed backdrops.
• Christmas tree and Father Christmas figures.
• Tree decorations (baubles, bows, garlands).
• Lights and luminous garlands.
• Artificial snow.
• Candy canes, clouds, sweets and Christmas cupcakes.
• Fireplace, armchairs, chairs or tables.
• Sleigh, reindeer, letter box.
• Pine branches, pine cones, chestnuts, holly leaves.
• Toys and small gifts that the children can use during the session.
• Other elements related to Christmas that provide interaction and magic.

The key is to combine creativity and functionality: plan the elements that you can reuse and add details that make each session unique. This way, your clients will enjoy an unforgettable Christmas experience, and you can optimise your work for future seasons.

3# Define the structure and dynamics of your 2025 Christmas sessions

Once you have your 2025 Christmas decorations in place, the next step is to define how the actual session will run. If you don’t want to complicate the studio decorations this year, a practical option is to offer families two types of decorations, using Christmas backgrounds that can be purchased online. This way, you double the possibilities of your sessions and save valuable planning time.

For example, you can plan a simple session in a Christmas fireplace backdrop, where the decorations are more elaborate and cosy. At the same time, you can offer the option of two different sets: one with the fireplace, ideal for the little ones to dress up in their best clothes; and another simulating a starry sky, where the children can appear in their pyjamas, recreating the wait for Father Christmas or the Three Wise Men. This combination provides variety and makes each session more special and memorable.

It is essential that you plan in detail how many options you will offer each family, whether to include photos with parents, costume changes, additional props or interactive moments. This will allow you to organise the timing of each session efficiently and ensure that all families enjoy a smooth and well-structured experience. Remember that the key is to balance creativity and logistics: offer variety without being over-complicated and provide all the necessary elements to make each Christmas photo shoot run smoothly. This way, your clients will enjoy a unique experience and you can maintain an orderly and cost-effective workflow throughout this year’s Christmas campaign.

4# Take your 2025 Christmas sessions outdoors and surprise your clients

Another very interesting option is to organise a special Christmas 2025 shoot in early autumn, which takes place outdoors and independently of your studio shoots. For this type of session it is essential to take into account the weather, so that the children can enjoy the shoot without any discomfort.

You can take advantage of nearby pine trees, the client’s garden or local squares, and add artificial snow and some decorative elements to create a Christmas atmosphere. Ask the parents to have the children wear warm clothes or themed clothing, simulating a wintry afternoon. You can also create a magical atmosphere by playing with the evening light and adding details such as lanterns, a cup of hot chocolate or a small Christmas tree that the children can decorate during the session. This brings dynamism and authentic moments that are reflected in the photos.

For the little ones, a fun idea is to place a red and white checkered tablecloth on the floor and prepare a blueberry or strawberry cake for the children to interact with, in the style of smash cake sessions, but with a Christmas theme. This approach combines play, creativity and decoration, and creates unique images that delight families.

With this type of outdoor session, as well as adding variety to your campaign, you achieve photos full of magic and spontaneity, differentiating your studio and offering your clients original and unforgettable Christmas experiences.

5# Give a Christmas touch to your studio and the photos you deliver

When decorating your studio for Christmas shoots, you can use photos from previous campaigns. Hanging them up is a great way to showcase your work, but if you want to make the decorations more eye-catching, print some images in special formats and large sizes. This way, your clients will feel immersed in the magic of Christmas from the moment they enter the studio.

To surprise your customers even more, take care of all the details, from the products you offer to the way you deliver them. You can include customisable items with their Christmas photos and think about special packaging: brown brown wrapping paper, a nice red ribbon and, for the little ones, a candy cane or a small Christmas gift to make them smile. These gestures not only enhance your customers’ experience, but also reinforce the perception of your brand. A well-decorated studio and a well cared for delivery will make families leave satisfied and eager to repeat in future Christmas campaigns or even in other types of reports throughout the year.

Remember that every detail adds up: the decoration of the studio and the presentation of your products are part of the experience you offer, and the more you take care of it, the more value your clients will perceive, increasing loyalty and the possibility of recommendations. In the end, it’s not just about the photos, it’s about creating memorable memories that your clients will want to relive season after season.

6# Make your deliveries stand out: choose Christmas products for 2025

As we have already mentioned, it is essential to plan which products you will deliver to your customers along with the photos after the shoot. It’s usually easiest to just deliver the images in digital format, but if you want to increase the perceived value and benefits of your Christmas 2025 campaign, it’s ideal to offer several additional packs or products to make the experience more special and memorable. Here are some ideas you can incorporate:

• Professional format prints: from standard photographs to canvas prints, perfect for grandparents or home decorations.
• Personalised Christmas cards with the best photos from the session, ideal for sending to family and friends.
• Christmas baubles and ornaments: place one of the images from the photo shoot inside to decorate the tree in a unique way.
• Mini photo album: compact and elegant, ideal for remembering the session throughout the year.
• Annual calendar: with the 12 best images of the session, to enjoy every month of the Christmas memories.
• Personalised gifts: mugs, cushions, magnets, key rings and other items that carry the photos of the session and become practical souvenirs.
• Video with a photo slideshow: add Christmas music and create a short montage that summarises the session in a touching way.

Offering this type of product not only increases revenue, but also strengthens the relationship with your clients, making them feel special and increasing the likelihood that they will return in future seasons or recommend your work.

7# Add customisable details that make a difference

A simple and very effective way to add emotional value to your holiday shoots is to allow your clients to personalise the images, both in print and digital format. This means that each photo can include unique details: the children’s names, the date of the session or even a special Christmas phrase that represents the family. This kind of personalisation turns each photo into a truly unique keepsake, which can be integrated into family albums, greeting cards or even Christmas gifts. For example, a photo of the children by the Christmas tree with their names and the date of the session becomes a memory they can keep and revisit every year, evoking emotions and special moments.

In addition, this option not only enhances the customer experience, but also sets you apart from other photographers, positioning your studio as one that offers thoughtful and personalised details. You can even offer different levels of personalisation, from simple text on the image to more elaborate designs, such as decorative frames, illustrations or Christmas themed effects that make the photo even more special.

Another key point is the versatility of the product: these personalised images can be delivered in digital format to be shared on networks or printed on various media, such as posters, canvases, calendars or greeting cards. This opens up new sales opportunities and generates a tangible souvenir that strengthens the relationship with your customers.

8# Test your 2025 Christmas decorations before the campaign kicks off

To spread the word about your new 2025 Christmas decorations, a great strategy is to hold an initial test session. You can invite a friend or family member with young children, or even organise a raffle on your social media channels to offer a mini Christmas session for a nominal fee. This will allow you to get real photos that reflect how your set works and what it looks like in action. It is essential that all the details are taken care of in this first session. Ask the parents to dress the children in Christmas clothes, add elements for them to interact and play with, and create an atmosphere that conveys the magic of Christmas. At the end, ask the parents for feedback on the experience and the decorations; their opinion will give you valuable information and will serve as a testimonial for future promotions.

All the images obtained in this pilot session are an essential resource for the promotion of your Christmas 2025 campaign. You can use them on your website, social media, blog, adverts or even as part of your in-studio décor. Showing what the sessions look like in action helps clients imagine the experience and increases bookings, while demonstrating the care and quality you offer in every detail.

9# Spread your Christmas campaign across all channels and reach more customers

Once you have everything ready, the set, the dynamics of the session, the final products defined and several pictures of this year’s set, comes a fundamental step: organise the information of your campaign. Don’t skip this point. If you do, the dissemination of your reports will be much more limited and you will end up spending too much time explaining the same thing to each family individually. Preparing the information well from the start will save you hours of work and make your campaign more effective. Here are some recommended steps to take before launching your Christmas campaign:

• Service page on your website: include all relevant and well-structured information.
• Image gallery: select the best photos from the test session. You can add some from previous years, but remember that what families are most interested in is to see this season’s decorations.
• Blog article: present your new campaign, explain what the experience will be like and show part of the test report.
• Ad plan: define the texts, photos and links that you will use both on social networks and Google Ads to promote the Christmas reports.
• Online booking calendar: if you are going to activate it on your website, prepare all the details: photos, texts, session conditions, schedules, available days, etc.

10# Automate your Christmas campaigns and spend more time with your clients

We know that Christmas sessions are a real boom among families and that you have many hours of intense work ahead of you. That’s why, before the season starts, it’s essential that you automate as many of your customer relationship processes as possible. This way you can focus on what’s really important: creating unique memories for families, while reducing calls, messages and overtime. Below, we will share with you some practical tips to optimise and automate your workflow:

• Publish all the information on your website: prices, conditions, duration of the session, final products… The more clarity you provide on your photography website, the less repetitive enquiries you will receive and the more trust you will generate in families.
• Implement an online booking system: integrate an automatic booking calendar on your website so that each family can choose the day and time that suits them best. This will avoid manual diary management and save countless private messages.
• Create a private gallery for each customer: after the session, if you enable a customer gallery, they will be able to access their images, select their favourites, purchase extra prints or even order additional products. All without the need for your direct intervention.
• Activate a review section on your photography website: the opinions of other customers are key to building trust. A review section on your website will make it easier for new families to book with you. And if you can also link it to the testimonials left on Google, even better!
• Automate reminders and communications: confirm the booking, send reminders before the session and notify when the photos are ready through automatic emails. These are small details that save a lot of time and convey professionalism.

 

11# Create a content calendar to promote your Christmas 2025 campaign

Once you have all the information about your Christmas 2025 campaign ready, it’s time to think about its dissemination plan. It is not enough to prepare the decorations and sessions: you also need a clear strategy to communicate it and reach more families. The best way to do this is to design a campaign calendar, where you mark the most important milestones, for example:

• Dates for preparing the campaign: decorations, planning, test photoshoot, writing texts and key information.
• Duration of the Christmas session period: clearly define how long the Christmas sessions will be available and what the deadlines are, especially if you offer printed products and need a lead time for deliveries.
• Official launch day: decide when the information will be visible on your website, the blog article and the start of advertising campaigns.
• Timing of announcements: organise the dissemination in phases. For example, a first campaign announcing the opening of bookings and another, at the beginning of November, highlighting that places are almost full.
• Deadlines for delivery of final products: determine the last days of delivery, especially for last-minute reports, to avoid setbacks before the Christmas celebrations.

12# Bring your 2025 Christmas campaign to more families than ever before

As a last step before kicking off the Christmas sessions, it is important that you choose the launch day for your Christmas campaign. This day should mark the start of your communication on all possible channels, both digital and traditional. The more visibility you get, the more families will discover your proposal and the sooner you will start filling your booking calendar. Here are some ideas to get the word out about your campaign:

• Website: update your services section and make sure the information is clear and attractive.
• Blog: write an article introducing the campaign, showing photos of the decor and explaining what the experience will be like.
• Social media: share posts, stories and reels to generate buzz and remind people of key dates.
• Online advertising: invest in targeted ads on Facebook, Instagram or Google Ads to reach more families in your area.
• Local partners: take advantage of the visibility of other businesses in your neighbourhood (shops, cafes, hairdressers…) to spread the word about your campaign.
• Your own studio: put up posters or displays informing your current clients of the availability of these sessions.
• Traditional media: a small spot on the local radio or flyers distributed in local shops can also attract families who are not as present in the digital world.

The key is to combine different channels to broaden your reach. Not all customers will come through social media, and not all will read your website, but if you are present in various media you will have a much better chance of making your Christmas 2025 campaign a success.

It’s time to prepare your Christmas campaign 2025

As you have seen throughout this article, there are many tasks to organise before launching your Christmas 2025 campaign. From preparing the décor and planning the sessions, to broadcasting and managing bookings, every detail counts in order for everything to run smoothly. That’s why it’s essential that you take advantage of these weeks when the pace of work is still slower to give shape to your campaign. Planning ahead will not only allow you to work with less stress when the high season arrives, but will also ensure that you can serve more families, offer a better service and, consequently, obtain higher profits at the end of the year.

At Arcadina we offer you a series of business solutions specifically for photographers that will make your life easier and allow you to automate certain processes with clients. If you still don’t know how they work, you can try them for 14 days for free.

 

 Before we say goodbye we would like to leave you here the interview of the photographer Gema Romero from Ilusiones Art Photography.

>> Gema Romero: ‘I love what Arcadina looks like’

And to end this little Christmas guide, we would like to ask you a question: Have you already started planning your Christmas photo sessions for 2025? We’d love to read your progress in the comments.

 

Arcadina goes with you

Fulfil your dreams and develop your career with us. We offer you to try our web service free for 14 days. And with no commitment of permanence.

Arcadina is much more than a website, it is business solutions for photographers.

If you have any queries, our Customer Service Team is always ready to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We listen to you.