Holiday Mini Sessions 2026 in Richmond & Glen Allen: From $149, Pick Your Day
By Priya Shanu - 2026-10-10
Holiday mini sessions are back for 2026. They are short, relaxed outdoor sessions made for one thing: getting a beautiful, up-to-date family photo in time for holiday cards, gifts and the grandparents' fridge - without planning a full shoot. Unlike most mini-session events, you don't have to fit into one crowded Saturday. You pick the day.
Two ways to book
Mini session - from $149
- 20 minutes at a park of your choice
- 12 hand-edited photos
- Families of up to 6 people - kids and grandparents welcome
- Extra edited photos are $15 each if you can't choose
- Early bird: $129 if you book by November 1
Full holiday session - from $250
- 2 hours, so there is time for outfit changes, more than one spot in the park and plenty of candid play
- 60 hand-edited photos for $250, or 100 hand-edited photos for $299
- Room for individual portraits of each child, couple photos and grandparents, as well as the big family picture
Both come in a private online gallery within 7 days, so there is time to print cards.
Pick your day - any day from November 1 to December 14
Sessions run any day between November 1 and December 14, so you can work around school, work and weekend plans. The light is softest at these times:
- Weekdays: about 3:30 to 4:30 pm, in the warm hour before sunset
- Weekends: 9:00 to 10:30 am
If another family books the same day at the same park, we simply run the sessions back to back. If it rains, we move your session to another day, based on availability.
Where: the best parks for holiday photos near you
Choose the spot that suits your family's style:
- Deep Run Park (Short Pump): a lake, wooded trails and late-fall color reflected in the water.
- Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park (Glen Allen): barns, split-rail fences and open fields - a warm, rustic look that suits cozy sweaters and plaid.
- Maymont (Richmond): the Italian and Japanese gardens and the stone mansion for a more classic, elegant backdrop.
- Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden (Richmond): beautiful seasonal gardens; the garden charges its own photography reservation fee, which is added to the session price.
Have a favorite spot of your own, like your backyard or neighborhood? Just ask.
What to wear
- Coordinate, don't match. Pick two or three colors - cream, burgundy, forest green, camel and soft gray all look lovely against fall and winter parks - and spread them across the family.
- Add texture. Knit sweaters, corduroy, wool coats and scarves photograph beautifully and keep everyone warm.
- Keep it simple. Avoid big logos and neon colors; small prints are fine on one person.
- Indian outfits look stunning too. A kurta, lehenga or saree in jewel tones makes a gorgeous holiday or Diwali card.
Turn your photos into a holiday card - free
Once your gallery arrives, you can design your card in minutes with my free holiday card collage maker. Drop in your favorite photos, type your family name, and download a print-ready 7×5 card or share it straight to WhatsApp. There are Diwali and birth announcement templates too. No sign-up and no watermark.
An expecting couple photographed outdoors under a stone pergola
How to book
Send me a message with the day you'd like, mini or full session, your preferred park and how many people are joining. I'll confirm your time and spot.
Not sure which to choose? If you need one great photo of everyone together for the card, the mini is perfect. If you'd like variety - outfit changes, individual portraits, candid moments - go for the full session. You can see more of my family work on the family photography page.