“Babes in Toyland” Christmas Set

What an incredible Christmas session this was! When I started planning for this session there was something I knew for sure…it had to be FUN! INTERACTIVE! REAL! If there is something I love about Christmas is the joy and happiness and innocence it tries to preserve. The whole world shares in these feelings, during Christmas season and I wanted to capture that in the sessions. So how to do that in a studio set?

Nowadays most studios concentrate in mini sessions; a quick 15 t0 30 minutes sessions were the kid(s) sits in a cute background and hopefully smiles a big smile to the camera in the appointed amount of time because there is a line of other children waiting for the same spot. If the kid is not ready, or not happy, or, well, it is just a kid, then you loose your sitting fee money. It makes a lot of sense in our fast-food society mentality.

It is our mission as a studio to bring the best in your kids, to capture WHO they are at the time his or her photographs are taken.

Sometimes a child comes and immediately starts to interact and play and is the most cooperative kid in the world. Sometimes a kid is shy and needs a little more of encouragement. “Babes in Toyland” was designed with kids in mind. Kids could touch, and explore, and play with real toys. Curiosity and awe was followed by smiles and giggles…real moment, real expressions!

The Set

I love vintage! I wanted to recreate a little boy’s or little girl’s playroom back in the day. The Christmas tree, the presents, and lots of scattered toys like a real used playroom would have looked like. An antique table and chair adds to the real feel of a little kids room. I love the little marching hat hanging on the wall as a reference to play pretend later on.

Love the Christmas nightgowns for these little ones! 

This little boy was lost in playtime! And the jacket is just a reference of who he really is…a toy soldier! 

The Red Train That Shooed! 

The faces and expressions when they realized the train actually runs on the tracks, makes sounds, and even smoke comes out. Lots of fun!

Reading time!

Storytime is always one of my favorite shots. Every single time the kids would just “read” and enjoy quiet time. The would completely forget about the camera. 

Father and son just enjoy their reading time at the set. I love their faces and reactions.

 

The Props

Tons of different and interesting things to play with. Antique firetrucks cars, wooden rocking horse, baby doll strollers and teddy bears! Robbie the Robot, a little stuffed puppy walker, and even a sleigh to ride in! Yes, I have serious prop collecting problems, but they looked great in the pictures and kids LOVE them too!

Play Pretend! Did I mention play pretend? 

When you allowed kids to explore and play, their imaginations can surely take flight. One of my absolute favorite times was when I would ask the kids if the wanted to dressed up. The have no idea what “babes in Toyland” was, but loved the idea of being a toy soldier or a nutcracker.  There were soooo many other images and oh, so much fun! Each family and kid were different and each brought a different perspective, and a different angle, all of them gorgeous! They had their stories and memories of the set in beautiful printed images or little albums to display at home or to give to family and friends for Christmas. Thanks to all who trusted me with your beautiful memories!