Christmas
Mini
Sessions
Kitchener · Waterloo · Cambridge
Portraits Before the Season Passes
Festive. Warm.
Done before the
chaos begins.
In-Studio · Mid-October Through December
Season Closed · Bookings Open Mid-October
Christmas mini sessions for 2025 are now closed. The 2026 season opens for booking in mid-October — follow along on Instagram or reach out to be added to the early access list so you're first to know when the calendar goes live.
Based in Doon South, Kitchener and serving families across Waterloo, Cambridge, and the surrounding Region, Greasypixel Photography offers in-studio Christmas mini sessions — warm, intentional portraits that capture your family exactly as it is this year.
The Philosophy
The tree comes down. The wrapping paper gets recycled. The portraits stay.
Christmas is the one time of year when the whole family is together, everyone is dressed up, and there is genuine warmth and excitement in the room. Christmas mini sessions exist to capture that — not a posed greeting card, but a real portrait of your family in this specific moment in time. The kids at the ages they are right now. The grandparents who made the trip. The baby's first Christmas. These are the images that matter twenty years from now.
Sessions are available at two studio locations — my private in-home studio in Kitchener, or a professional studio space in Kitchener-Waterloo. The in-home studio is an intimate, warmly styled space with a printed seasonal backdrop, ideal for small families who want something personal and relaxed. The professional studio is a larger, more fully equipped environment — with multiple set displays available within a single booking, so you can have two or more distinct backdrops without going anywhere. Both are free of mall lineups and big-box time pressure.
Visual Proof
View theGallery →
"Some moments only happen once. The portrait is the only proof they happened at all."
Christmas Collections
In-Studio · Mid-October Through December
Limited slots per weekend — book early
In-Home Studio
Cosy, private setting · Printed seasonal backdrop · Ideal for small families · No deposit required
The Card
Up to 4 People
- • 30 Minute Studio Session
- • 20 Retouched Digital Images
- • Printed seasonal backdrop
- • Up to 4 people
Best for: couples and small families who want clean, classic portraits in an intimate setting
Need more space?
The in-home studio is designed for intimate sessions of up to four. For larger families, or anyone who wants multiple styled set displays within a single booking, the professional studio is the better fit.
See Professional Studio Options →Professional Studio
Larger space · Multiple styled set displays · Suitable for groups up to 10 · $100 non-refundable deposit required
The Hearth
Up to 4 People
- • 30 Minute Studio Session
- • 20 Retouched Digital Images
- • Multiple styled set displays
- • Up to 4 people
Best for: small families wanting a more elevated, varied studio experience
The Gathering
Up to 6 People
- • 45 Minute Studio Session
- • 30 Retouched Digital Images
- • Multiple styled set displays
- • Up to 6 people
Best for: families with multiple kids who want variety and a polished studio feel
The Tradition
Up to 10 People
- • 60 Minute Studio Session
- • 40 Retouched Digital Images
- • Multiple styled set displays
- • Up to 10 people
Best for: multi-generational families making Christmas portraits an annual tradition
The Bespoke Collection
|Professional Studio · Custom Vision
"Groups larger than ten, multiple setups, extended time — if your vision doesn't fit a standard collection, let's design a session that does."
Investment
Custom Quote
The Pillars
— What Every Christmas Session Is Built Around
Two Studios, One Standard
Whether you choose the intimate setting of the in-home studio or the professional studio space in Kitchener-Waterloo, the quality of the session is identical — the same careful lighting, the same unhurried approach, the same attention to how the images will look on your wall. The in-home studio suits small families who want something cosy and personal. The professional studio works well for larger groups or families who want multiple set displays and a more polished environment. You choose when you book.
Fast Enough for Real Life
Nobody has unlimited patience in December — least of all children who have been hearing about Christmas for six weeks. Sessions are structured to move at a pace that works for real families: enough time for genuine expressions and a variety of setups, not so long that everyone is running on empty by the end. Sessions run 30 to 60 minutes depending on your group size and chosen tier.
Every December, a Record
The most meaningful thing about annual Christmas portraits isn't any single image — it's the collection. Year over year, the same family photographed in the same season, watching the kids grow and the family change. Several Greasypixel families book their Christmas session the same weekend every year. It becomes part of the season itself.
In-Home Studio — Kitchener
The in-home studio is a cosy, private space in my Kitchener home — small by design, and ideal for that reason. A carefully chosen printed seasonal backdrop, consistent studio lighting, and no distractions. It's the right choice for couples and small families of up to four who want an intimate, unhurried session without a crowd. One package is available at this location: The Card. For larger groups or families wanting multiple set displays, the professional studio is the better fit.
Professional Studio — Kitchener-Waterloo
For larger groups or families wanting a more elevated studio experience, Christmas mini sessions are also available at a professional studio in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. Professional studios offer multiple styled set displays — meaning you can have two or more distinct seasonal backdrops within a single booking, giving your gallery real variety without extending the session time. Suitable for groups of up to ten, with Bespoke options for larger families. Location details are confirmed after booking. A $100 non-refundable deposit is required at booking to cover the studio rental, applied toward your session balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do Christmas mini session bookings open? ↓
Mid-October each year — I release the full season calendar at once and announce it on Instagram and by email. Weekend slots and dates leading up to mid-December go first. If you've been burned by leaving it too late before, the most reliable thing you can do is follow @greasypixel_photography or reach out directly to be added to the early notification list.
What's the difference between the in-home studio and the professional studio? ↓
The in-home studio is a private, intimate space in my Kitchener home — small by design, with a carefully chosen printed seasonal backdrop and consistent studio lighting. It's ideal for couples and small families of up to four, and only one package is available there: The Card. The professional studio in Kitchener-Waterloo is a larger, more fully equipped environment with multiple styled set displays — meaning you can have two or more distinct seasonal backdrops within a single booking. It's the right choice for larger groups or families wanting a more elevated, varied studio experience. Both options are the same price; the professional studio requires a $100 non-refundable deposit at booking to cover the studio rental.
What is the deposit and why is it non-refundable? ↓
A $100 non-refundable deposit is required only for professional studio sessions. This covers the studio rental fee, which I commit to regardless of whether a session runs as planned. The deposit is applied toward your total session balance — it's not an extra charge, just the portion paid upfront. In-home studio sessions do not require a deposit.
How should we dress for a Christmas studio session? ↓
Co-ordinated, not identical. Pick a colour palette — deep jewel tones, warm neutrals, classic red and green, cream and gold — and let each family member interpret it in their own outfit. Avoid busy patterns, large logos, or anything that photographs as distracting. Layering works well: a cosy cardigan, a festive dress, a plaid flannel. The goal is to look like yourselves, dressed up for Christmas. After booking I'll send a style guide with specific suggestions.
Is this suitable for newborns or very young babies? ↓
Yes. Studio sessions are actually ideal for newborns — warm, controlled, no wind or unpredictable outdoor light. I work at whatever pace the baby sets and I don't rush it. Baby's first Christmas portraits are some of the most treasured images a family will ever have. I treat them accordingly.
Do you offer printed Christmas cards or wall prints? ↓
Printed products including wall prints start at $30 and are available as an add-on after your session. If you're interested in Christmas cards specifically, mention it when you book — I can advise on sizing and layout so your images are ready the moment your gallery is delivered.
Can this be booked as a Christmas gift? ↓
Absolutely. A studio portrait session makes a genuinely thoughtful gift — for parents, grandparents, or a young family. Reach out through the contact form, let me know it's a gift, and I'll handle the booking details. Gift sessions can be arranged with a confirmation sent directly to the recipient if needed.
What if we need to reschedule? ↓
Life in December is unpredictable — illnesses happen, plans shift. I ask for reasonable notice if you need to reschedule, and I'll do my best to find you another slot in the calendar. I can't guarantee availability late in the season, which is another reason early booking works in your favour. Specific reschedule terms are included in the booking confirmation.
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