Fall and Christmas Minis In Metro Vancouver – Main Image: Rochelle Elise Photography
I love booking fall and Christmas mini sessions. We did them for a few years when the kids were younger, and they were such an easy way to capture those fleeting little moments before everyone grew up.
Mini sessions are perfect for families because they’re short enough that kids actually stay focused. And since the photographers run these sessions so often, they know exactly how to get great shots in a short amount of time. We always walked away with a lovely selection of photos, and compared to a full session, we saved quite a bit.
If you’re looking to update your family photos this year, I’m so excited to share this year’s featured mini sessions in Vancouver and across Metro Vancouver!
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Celebrating 6 continuous years of holiday magic, Kuna Photography is thrilled to welcome families back for our most popular Christmas Mini Sessions of the year! Led by experienced Vancouver photographer Kuna Lu, these fun, relaxed 20-minute sessions at JoyTech Studio in Richmond feature 3 unique handcrafted holiday sets—including an interactive holiday kitchen with real dough and props for little bakers, a dreamy white winter wonderland, and a cozy Christmas living room. We are proudly pet-friendly, so bring your furry family members along to join the festive fun! Each package includes coverage for up to 2 adults, 3 kids, and 1 pet, plus 10 professionally edited, high-resolution 4K digital images delivered via a private gallery.
Use promo code “VANCITYKIDS” at checkout for an exclusive $30 discount!
Christmas Mini Sessions are returning to LoveBug ❤️ Photos in Vancouver! Accredited Newborn Photographer Cyndy Miao and her team are excited to welcome families back to their studio for another festive season, with select session dates available in October, November and December.
Use promo code “VANCITYKIDS” at Eventbrite checkout for an exclusive 20% discount until October 4th, and 10% discount thereafter.
Rochelle Elise Photography is a unique Vancouver Family Baby & Lifestyle Photographer who has been photographing in the lower mainland for 15+ years. She is a local expert with award winning top rated photography. She has been gratefully showcased on 100’s of Christmas/Holiday cards over the years.
She is proudly a product of artisanship creating one of a kind photos, elevating the everyday to its rightful status of extraordinary.
A mini session is a shorter, lower cost version of a full family photo shoot. Photographers book families back to back at one location on a set date, usually in 15 or 20 minute slots. You get a small gallery of edited images for a fraction of the price of a full session.
For most families, they’re a great fit. Little kids have short attention spans anyway, and 20 focused minutes often produces better photos than an hour of meltdowns. The trade off is less flexibility. You pick from the photographer’s dates, location and setup rather than choosing your own.
This is great for holiday cards, annual family photos, newborns and toddlers, families on a budget.
Fall mini sessions usually run from late September to the end of October, when the leaves are at their most colourful. Photographers often announce dates in August or early September.
Christmas mini sessions usually run from early November to mid December. If you want your photos back in time for holiday cards, aim for a session before mid November. Editing turnaround is typically one to three weeks.
Queen Elizabeth Park, Vancouver. The quarry garden and maple trees turn gorgeous shades of red and orange in October. Great for all ages, with paved paths that work for strollers.
Stanley Park, Vancouver. A true Vancouver classic. Lost Lagoon and the trails around it glow with red and gold leaves in October, and the towering cedars give that lush West Coast backdrop that’s hard to beat.
Deer Lake Park, Burnaby. Lakeside views, open grass for running around, and plenty of autumn colour. Easy to get to from anywhere in Burnaby.
Bear Creek Park, Surrey. Wide trails and big trees make this a favourite for Surrey families who don’t want to cross a bridge on a Saturday.
Lynn Canyon and Lower Seymour, North Vancouver. Mossy forests and golden light for a moodier, classic West Coast look. Better for school age kids than toddlers, since trails can be muddy.
Christmas tree farms in the Fraser Valley. Rows of trees, a vintage truck or sled, and real West Coast winter vibes. Dress warmly and bring boots.
Heritage villages and historic main streets. Old fashioned storefronts and twinkle lights make a charming backdrop. Steveston Village in Richmond is a lovely option for a coastal twist.
Indoor studio setups. These are the best rain plan in Vancouver, and in November, you’ll probably need one. Studios offer cozy living room sets, fireplaces and snowy backdrops, and nobody’s fingers get cold.
Your own neighbourhood. Some photographers offer at home “lifestyle” minis where they come to you. Great for newborns and families who’d rather not wrangle car seats.
Plan around naps and snacks. Book a time when your little one is usually happiest. For us, that’s always mid morning after breakfast.
Coordinate, don’t match. Pick two or three colours and build outfits around them. Warm tones like rust, cream and olive work beautifully for fall. For Christmas, try deep greens, burgundy or soft neutrals.
Bring a bribe. A small treat or a favourite toy kept in your pocket works wonders in minute 14.
Arrive early. Mini sessions run on tight schedules. Showing up 10 minutes early gives everyone time to warm up and use the washroom.
Keep it low pressure. Your photographer has seen it all. Tears, runaways and grumpy dads included. Some of the best shots come from the silly, unplanned moments.
Most mini sessions in Vancouver last 15 to 30 minutes. That’s usually plenty of time for a small family with young kids.
Most photographers include 5 to 20 edited images. Some let you buy extra photos from your gallery for an added fee.
Book in September or October if you can. Popular weekend slots fill quickly, and booking before mid November gives you time to receive photos for holiday cards.
Most photographers offer a rain date or move to a covered or indoor setup. Always check the rain policy before booking.
Many photographers welcome pets, but some charge a small extra fee or limit pets to certain locations. Ask when you book.
Yes, often more than full sessions. The short time frame suits little attention spans, and you’ll leave before the fussiness sets in.
| Photographers | Dates |
|---|---|
| Kuna Photography | November 7, 8, 15, 21, 29 December 6 |
| LoveBug ❤️ Photos | October 10, 12, 24 November 7, 8, 11, 21, 22, 28, 29 December 5, 6, 12, 13 |
| Rochelle Elise Photography | October & November Weekends & Pro D Days |
| Hello There Photography (Santa Photos) Hello There Photography (Holiday Minis) | Photos with Santa: November 14 Christmas Family photos: November 14 & 29 |
| JaNa Photography | November 14, 15, 21, 22 (alternative date Nov 29) |
| MK Photography | October 8, 9 & 12 |
Whether you’re after golden leaves at a pumpkin patch or cozy Christmas jammies in a studio, there’s a mini session in Metro Vancouver to fit your family and your budget. There’s still time to book. Happy snapping!
