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

Santa Experience Mini Session Workshop for Photographers

Santa Claus checking his list while sitting in a Christmas-themed photography set, preparing for children's mini-sessions during a Santa Claus photography workshop.

Join The Santa Experience Workshop with Gilmore Studios and elevate your holiday mini-sessions to new heights! Designed for professional photographers, this workshop will teach you how to choose the perfect background, select ideal props, run effective model calls, and master lighting for magical photos. Learn how to create products, enhance the client experience, and price for profit, all while gaining insider tips from a real professional Santa! Transform your business this holiday season with expert guidance and proven strategies to make your Santa mini-sessions a success!

In The Santa Experience Workshop, you’ll also gain exclusive behind-the-scenes (BTS) footage with three clients, an actual set-up walkthrough, and pro tips on organizing and editing your images. Learn efficient Lightroom culling and developing techniques, plus Photoshop enhancements, including a magical edit that will bring your holiday photos to life. (Must have knowledge on how to use LR and PS). This course gives you everything you need to perfect your Santa mini-sessions and deliver stunning, high-quality results for your clients!

The Santa Experience Workshop also focuses on maximizing the value of your sessions after the photoshoot is done, ensuring client satisfaction and boosting your sales. You’ll dive into product offerings and pricing, advertising strategies, album design, and a mini Canva tutorial. Plus, learn how to upload online galleries to deliver a polished, professional experience that exceeds your clients’ expectations. With this workshop, you’ll be equipped to elevate your sessions, increase client satisfaction, and bring in more $$$ to your photography business!

Tons of Templates Included!

These will help you get started right away with your own Santa Minis.

  • Questionnaire for Client
  • How To Price Products in Google Sheet
  • Flyer to Advertise Minis
  • Collaboration Invite
  • Pre-Designed Reels & Posts in Canva
  • Pre & Post Session Emails
  • Reindeer Poem
  • Product Sales Sheet and Mini-Course 411
  • Front Door Sign
  • Shot List for Session
  • Dear Santa Note
  • Check List for Pre-Session
  • Folder of Stock Images Available to Use
  • You Made the Nice List Card
  • 2 Weeks of Social Media Prompts

Click here to learn more about our online workshop.

Santa Experience Workshop 2024 - Newport Beach - Gilmore Studios - Now booking Christmas 2024 Mini Sessions in Orange County, CA- Magic of Santa Claus - Holiday minis - mini sessions with Santa, Christmas mini sessions, holiday minis, custom background, photography studio set

This course IS for you if…

  • You are an established photographer who wants to offer more to your clients
  • You want to learn how to elevate your Santa Mini Session Experience
  • You want to add thousands of dollars to your bank account

This course may NOT be for you if…

  • You are new to photography and learning how to work your camera and fine-tuning your editing style
  • You don’t have time to dedicate to working ON your business instead of in your business
  • You are content with the revenue you are currently earning

What is included in The Santa Experience Workshop?

Santa Experience workshop with Gilmore Studios, teaching photographers how to run successful holiday mini-sessions for their clients.

Pre-Planning for Santa Minis

You’ll learn the steps to set your Santa mini-sessions up for success. You’ll discover how to:

  • Choose the Perfect Background
  • Select Props
  • Run Model Calls
  • Master Lighting
  • Create Products
  • Enhance Client Experience
  • Price for Profit
  • Tips from Santa

By the end, you’ll have a complete blueprint for planning and preparing your Santa minis from start to finish.

Photographing Santa and Editing

Go behind the scenes of real Santa mini sessions with Jennifer, giving you an in-depth look at how to capture these magical moments. You’ll gain hands-on knowledge through:

  • BTS Footage with 3 Clients
  • Actual Walkthrough of Set-Up
  • Organizing and Editing Images
  • Lightroom Culling/Developing
  • Photoshop Enhancements (Magical Edit)

You’ll be equipped with the skills to photograph and edit stunning Santa mini images that will wow your clients and set you apart from the competition.

Post-Session

In the final module, you’ll learn how to maximize the value & profit of your sessions, focusing on client satisfaction and increasing your sales. You’ll cover:

  • Product Offerings and Pricing
  • Advertising Strategies
  • Camera Settings Review
  • Album Design
  • Canva Tutorial
  • Uploading Online Galleries

You’ll be ready to deliver a polished and professional experience that exceeds your clients’ expectations, leading to greater client satisfaction and increased revenue.

Click here to learn more about The Santa Experience Workshop

Meet the Gilmores:

Gilmore Studios serves Orange County, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. We specialize in wedding photography, family portraits, newborn and branding photography. Our studio has been in business since 2002.

Fun Facts:

PLace we call home:

Newport Beach & Queen Creek

Number of kids:

3 boys

Years in business:

Since 2002

As seen in:

Family photography

Featured On the blog

Read more
Simple Sophistication

We are on Instagram
We photographed this sweet newborn in December, and it’s a question I get all the time: When should we book our newborn session?
	•	The ideal window is within the first few weeks so your baby is extra sleepy and curled up.
	•	But don’t stress if you miss that. Sessions can be beautiful at any stage.
	•	I’ll guide you through family photos, sibling shots (if needed), and solo portraits so every detail of this season is remembered.
This baptism session was extra special because we have known the family awhile. The baptism took place in a beautiful church on Balboa Island.
	•	The sacred space adds so much meaning to the portraits.
	•	Including details like the font, stained glass, and family prayer moments makes the photos timeless.
	•	And of course, we always capture family groupings because this day is about legacy as much as it is about your little one.
🎓 Want a graduation party keepsake that’s actually personal?
A Senior Press Book is the perfect way to print and showcase your senior’s photos and their story.

Filled with your favorite portraits, this custom-designed album becomes a modern-day yearbook — ready for display, signing, or flipping through with family and friends at the party.

Because digital images are great, but printed memories are forever.

#PrintYourPhotos #SeniorPressBook #GraduationPartyIdeas #Classof2025 #SeniorKeepsake #GilmoreStudios #SeniorPhotographerNewportBeach #HighSchoolGraduationIdeas #SeniorPortraitInspo #OCPhotographer
For twin cake smashes, I create one cohesive set that works beautifully for both. We start with family and sibling photos, then photograph the twins together before it is time for cake. Outfit changes are a great way to add variety without switching sets. This way, parents get a gallery that feels polished and cohesive while still showing each child’s personality.
🌈 The Rainbow Luncheon is one of our favorite NCL events to photograph — a celebration of every hour, every project, every moment these senior girls gave back to their community from 7th–12th grade.

It’s more than a luncheon, it’s a legacy.

Newport Beach, CA & Gilbert, AZ

Session by appointment only

Secret Link