Newport Beach, CA & Gilbert, AZ • Sessions by appointment only

How to Do Santa Minis: A Step-by-Step Guide

We want to help you learn how to do Santa Minis this Holiday Season

Running Santa Mini Sessions can be a game-changer for photographers during the holiday season—but only if done right. Whether you’re new to the concept or looking to improve your current setup, it can feel overwhelming to know where to start.

The truth is, planning, pricing, marketing, and executing a successful Santa Mini Session requires more than just a festive backdrop and a Santa suit. It’s about creating an experience that families will remember—and come back for year after year. We have been doing Santa Minis since 2017 and our clients RAVE about them every year.

Why Santa Minis Are Worth It

Santa Minis can be one of your most profitable sessions of the year—if you do it right. But many photographers struggle with booking out sessions, managing costs, or keeping the experience magical for every family.

If you’re feeling unsure about how to plan, price, or market your Santa Minis, I’ve got you covered. That’s exactly why I created the Santa Experience Workshop. This 4-week video course shows you everything you need to know to run successful, profitable Santa Mini Sessions—without the stress and guesswork. It’s designed to be done in 4 weeks, but it is a self-paced course so you can go through it as quickly or slowly as you would like.

What You’ll Learn Inside the Workshop

  • How to plan your Santa Minis from start to finish
  • How to Do Santa Minis: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • Pricing strategies that maximize your profit
  • Marketing techniques to fill your sessions
  • Tips for working with Santas and families
  • Workflow and editing tips for quick turnaround

Want the full breakdown? Click here to join the workshop: Santa Experience Workshop by Gilmore Studios

Your Next Steps

If you’re serious about running successful Santa Minis and maximizing your profits, don’t do it alone. The Santa Experience Workshop takes you through every step, from planning and pricing to marketing and delivering a final product families will love.

You don’t have to figure this out on your own. Let me walk you through every step so you can create magical, profitable Santa Minis this holiday season!

Meet the Gilmores:

Gilmore Studios is a husband and wife team that serves Orange County, Los Angeles, and San Diego areas. We specialize in fine wedding photography, family portraits, and newborn photography. Our studio has been in business since 2002.

Fun Facts:

PLace we call home:

Newport Beach

Number of kids:

3 boys

Years in business:

Since 2002

As seen in:

Family photography

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One of the speakers at graduation on Tuesday May 20th talked about how important these next ten years are. They will be making choices in the next ten years that will have a huge impact on their entire future. They aren’t just closing a chapter - they’re writing the beginning of their own story.  I am soooo excited to see Tyler write his own story. It’s going to be a bestseller and I’m here for it. 💕 I’m going to soak up every bit of time I have with him this summer before he heads to New Hampshire for two years to serve a mission. Love you TT
Struggling to pose newborns safely? Here’s my top safety tip!

Safety is the number one priority. Always have spotter (usually a parent) nearby, especially for composite shots. Use soft, padded surfaces and never force a baby into a pose. Comfort comes first! 

#NewbornPhotography #GilmoreStudios
How do you capture the perfect ring shot outdoors during an engagement session? 💍✨ Look for natural light and textured surfaces! Place the ring on a textured element like a rock, tree bark, or even a flower, and angle the ring towards the light to catch that sparkle. #EngagementPhotography #RingShots #outdoorphotos
Ever wondered why Mother’s Day photos just hit differently? It’s because they capture the heart of what it means to be a mom— the love, the little moments that make it al worth it. Celebrating the beautiful and perfectly imperfect journey of motherhood today and everyday!

#MothersDay #MomMoments #GilmoreStudios

Newport Beach, CA & Gilbert, AZ

Session by appointment only