mini CHRISTMAS PhotoshootS

Nov – Dec

CHRISTMAS PHOTOS THAT FEEL LIKE CHRISTMAS

Twinkly lights, excited children and lots of festive magic.

My Christmas mini photoshoots near Berkhamsted are back for 2026. There are two different ways to capture your family’s Christmas: Classic Christmas Minis and the full Santa Experience. Both are relaxed, child-friendly sessions designed to give you gorgeous Christmas photographs. And all without expecting children to sit perfectly and smile at the camera.

Christmas photoshoots have become a highlight of the festive season for lots of families, with many returning year after year. Sessions last 20–30 minutes, giving us plenty of time for the children to settle in, have fun and capture some gorgeous photographs. Sessions are £85 and include 3 digital images, with the option to upgrade to your full gallery for £100.

Book SANTA EXPERIENCE Book CLASSIC CHRISTMAS
Boy sits on a wooden sledge and smiles at the camera during a Christmas photoshoot at Ashridge. There's a red Christmas postbox, lots of pretend snow and a snowy street scene.

Classic Christmas Mini Photoshoot

Festive photographs of your family

My Classic Christmas Minis are perfect if you’d love beautiful festive photographs of the children, and a couple of the whole family, but don’t necessarily want Father Christmas involved.

We’ll have two styled Christmas sets to use during your session, with plenty of little activities along the way to keep things fun and natural. Think Christmas rather than formal studio portraits: chatting, playing, cuddling, laughing and probably a little bit of chaos too.

There’s absolutely no expectation that children need to sit still or behave perfectly for me.

Classic Christmas Minis take place on 4, 5, 6, 11 and 12 December 2026 at the Ashridge Estate near Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire.

BOOK CLASSIC CHRISTMAS PHOTOSHOOT
Two sisters post their letters to Santa during a festive photoshoot near Tring

The Santa Experience

Boy checks whether his name is on the nice list with Santa, during a Santa visit and photoshoot near St Albans

Much more than a photograph with Santa

This one is about the experience as much as the photographs.

Your children will have time with our wonderfully warm, authentic Father Christmas in his cosy Christmas setting, with games, chatting and little activities helping everything unfold naturally.

There’s no conveyor belt and no pressure for a perfect smile. Santa and I are both very used to children who are excited, shy, uncertain – or who change their minds completely once they arrive!

Parents are very welcome to join in, and we’ll follow your child’s lead.

Santa Experiences take place on 21, 22 and 23 November 2026 in Potten End, near Berkhamsted.

BOOK SANTA EXPERIENCE PHOTOSHOOT
Family smiles for a photograph while meeting Father Christmas near Tring

Christmas Mini Sessions

Mini Session — £85

£40 deposit to book, 3 high resolution digital images included

Full Gallery Upgrade — +£100

All images from your session

Location: Classic Christmas is at the Ashridge Estate, Berkhamsted and the Santa Experience is in Potten End, between Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead.

Both locations are best accessed by car.

Gallery Turnaround

Receive your photos within 2 weeks of your session

A baby stands with santa supporting both her arms during a Santa photoshoot near St Albans
A boy uses two cookie cutters as glasses during a family Christmas photoshoot activity near Kings Langley
Child at a Classic Christmas mini photoshoot near Berkhamsted
Two brothers smile at each other while pretending to drink hot chocolate and roll dough for gingerbread men. She's having a Christmas photoshoot near St Albans.

IS A MINI PHOTOSHOOT RIGHT FOR YOU?

Perfect for families who want beautiful photos without the fuss.

For most families, a Christmas mini is a brilliant way to update your family photographs. Capture a little bit of Christmas magic without it taking over your whole day. I’m used to getting the best out of children in a short session, with plenty of games, activities and silliness for children who arrive full of beans, and a gentler approach for those who need a little longer to warm up.

Mini sessions do move fairly quickly. If you know your child needs lots of time and space to feel comfortable, or you’d like a much wider variety of family photographs, a full family photoshoot may suit you better.

For larger or extended family groups, get in touch before booking and I can help you work out whether consecutive Christmas minis or a full family session would work best.

BOOK SANTA EXPERIENCE BOOK CLASSIC CHRISTMAS
A young child holds Santas hand while taking a few wobbly steps during a Santa photoshoot near Hemel Hempstead

We booked a mini photoshoot with Lyndsey and could not recommend her more. She was fantastic with our kids and I thoroughly enjoyed the relaxed and friendly shoot.

– Amy, Berkhamsted

QUESTIONS

Choose Classic Christmas if you’d mainly like gorgeous festive photographs of your children or family, without Father Christmas being the focus.


Choose the Santa Experience if meeting Father Christmas is still part of the excitement. These sessions are about the experience as much as the photographs, with time to chat, play and interact with Santa rather than simply posing for a quick picture.

And if you love both, you’re very welcome to book both.

Both locations are near Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire.

Classic Christmas Minis take place on the Ashridge Estate, while the Santa Experience takes place in Potten End.

I’ll send you detailed directions and everything you need to know before your session. Both locations are easiest to reach by car.

You’ll receive access to your online gallery within 14 days of your shoot. From there you can choose your favourites and order any extras. I know Christmas photographs often end up on cards and presents, so I work hard to get them back to you as quickly as possible.

Christmas mini sessions are booked for a specific date and time and payments are non-refundable.

If you can no longer attend, please let me know as soon as possible. If I’m able to resell your appointment, I may be able to transfer your payment to another session or offer credit towards a future photoshoot, but this isn’t guaranteed and I will take an admin fee of £30 from the balance.


If your child is unwell or something unexpected happens, please get in touch — I’ll always do my best to help where I can.

Absolutely — parents are very welcome in both Classic Christmas and Santa Experience sessions, and I really encourage it.

If your children are a little hesitant or take a while to warm up, having you involved can help them relax and enjoy the session. It also means we can make sure you come away with some lovely photographs of all of you together, as well as plenty of the children on their own and with each other.

You don’t need to be in every photo, but I’d definitely recommend jumping in for a few.

Anything that feels like you.
If Christmas is your excuse to go all in, matching family Christmas jumpers, festive pyjamas or wonderfully Christmassy outfits can look brilliant. Reds, greens, creams, navy and gold all photograph beautifully with the sets too.

But there are absolutely no rules. If you’d rather wear something simple and comfortable that you already love, that works just as well. The most important thing is that everyone feels happy and like themselves — especially the children.

If you’re coordinating rather than matching, choosing a few colours that work well together usually looks lovely.
For Classic Christmas sessions, you’re welcome to bring one change of outfit if you’d like a different look across the two sets. There isn’t a separate changing area, though, and changing will need to happen during your session, so it will come out of your shooting time.


Yes, well-behaved dogs are welcome and make for great photos. Just let me know in the questionnaire I ask that you complete before your session.

You don’t need to bring anything – I’ll have everything we need – but you’re very welcome to bring something meaningful, such as a favourite Christmas book, special decoration or much-loved teddy.

If you’re coming to see Santa, a familiar toy can also be really useful for children who might feel a little unsure at first, just ideally bring something that you’re happy to be included in the photos.

Your session includes 3 professionally edited digital images, which you choose from your private online gallery.

If you fall in love with more, you can purchase additional photographs for £35 or upgrade to your full gallery for £100. The full gallery is by far the most popular option.

Please don’t worry – this is very normal.

Santa and I are both experienced at working with children who feel shy or uncertain. We won’t expect your child to walk in and immediately sit next to him for a photograph.

We chat, play games, involve parents and let your child get comfortable at their own pace.

Yes! I’m not expecting children to sit perfectly and smile at the camera for 20 minutes.

The sessions include things to do, play with and talk about, and I’ll gently direct things as we go. Movement, silliness and children being themselves are all very welcome.

Possibly, but please contact me before booking.

Two small families may sometimes be able to share a session. The set ups are designed for a small number of people, and the space can be tight at time. I do appreciate the desire to get photos of cousins and friends together, so send me a message and let’s see what we can work out.

For cousins, friends or larger groups, I usually recommend booking consecutive slots so we have enough time for photographs of each family as well as some together.

Yes. If you have an NCT group, friendship group or four or more families who would like Christmas photographs, please get in touch.

I can sometimes arrange a private block of Christmas sessions specifically for your group.

A £40 deposit secures your session, with the remaining balance due two weeks before your photoshoot. You can add additional images once you have seen your gallery.

If you already know you will want all the images, or would prefer to pay up front this option is available as well.

BOOK SANTA EXPERIENCE BOOK CLASSIC CHRISTMAS
Lyndsey Abercromby, Family, Wedding & Small Business Photographer

Do you have any

Questions?

I’d love to hear from you. If you’d like to book a mini session or just have a question, drop me a message and I’ll get back to you quickly. These sessions do fill up fast, so it’s worth getting in touch sooner rather than later.

THE PERFECT GIFT

Gift Vouchers

Gift vouchers are available for any of my photoshoots and can be personalised for birthdays, Christmas, new babies, or any special occasion.

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