Orlando Holiday Mini Sessions 2025 at The Brand Studio Orlando: Sold Out, Real Moments, and So Much Joy

This year’s annual Orlando Holiday Christmas Mini Sessions at The Brand Studio Orlando were everything I love about holiday portrait season, and then some. I scheduled three dates for 2025 and we completely sold out.

In a world full of AI, it honestly makes me so happy to see families still choosing something real: real portraits, real expressions, and real moments. The kind you can hang on the wall, put in an album, and look back on years from now saying, “Remember how little they were?” or “Remember that phase?” or “Remember how we all laughed right here?”

I saw returning faces I’ve come to adore, and I met brand new families who I truly hope become “holiday regulars” for years to come. And in the middle of the sparkle and Christmas music, I found myself thinking, this is why I do what I do.

The 2025 Holiday Mini Session Setup at The Brand Studio Orlando

One of the biggest reasons these minis are such a favorite is the studio itself. The Brand Studio Orlando is beautifully styled and designed specifically for photos, which means we can create a ton of variety quickly. Holiday minis are short and sweet by design, so having multiple sets ready to go makes a huge difference.

Why this studio works so well for holiday minis

• Multiple holiday-themed sets in one place for a variety of looks
• Clean, flattering light that keeps skin tones natural and bright
• Room for families of all ages, including babies, kids, teens, and adult children
• Pet-friendly vibes (yes, we had fur babies and they were amazing)

If you want to see the details for these sessions (and keep an eye out for future dates), here’s the full page: Orlando Studio Holiday Mini Sessions with Michelle Vila Photography .

Sold Out Across Three Dates: What Made This Year So Special

When I planned three session dates for 2025, I was excited, but I never take it for granted. The fact that every spot filled means families are still prioritizing professional portraits, even in a busy season. I’m so grateful for the trust, the referrals, and the returning clients who make this event feel like a tradition.

Returning faces and brand new families

There is something uniquely sweet about seeing the same families year after year. Kids grow. Teenagers turn into young adults. Parents change in little ways too, and you can literally watch your family story unfold through photos.

And meeting new families is just as special, because I get to be the person who captures “this year” for them, maybe even their very first holiday session as a family.

The Families I Photographed: Babies, Teens, Adult Children, and Everyone in Between

This year I photographed every kind of family dynamic, and I loved all of it. Newborns snuggled in close. Toddlers did what toddlers do (which is adorable chaos), and I got to photograph teenagers who surprised their parents by actually smiling, plus adult children who came home for the holidays and made time for a family photo.

Newborns and tiny babies

There’s nothing like that sleepy newborn stage. The tiny fingers, the soft head curls, the way parents look at their baby like the whole world changed overnight. Those photos matter, because this stage goes fast.

Little kids with big holiday energy

For the little ones, we kept things moving and fun. Quick prompts, silly games, lots of “snuggle close,” and plenty of praise. My goal is always to create an experience where kids feel safe, seen, and free to be themselves.

Teenagers and adult children

This might be an unpopular opinion, but I love photographing teens. They’re funny, they’re expressive, and when you give them a little space to be themselves, we get photos that feel genuine and confident.

The Pet Moments: Small Dogs, Big German Shepherds, and the Most Well-Behaved Cat Ever

If you’ve ever wondered if pets belong in holiday photos, my answer is yes. They’re part of the family. And this year’s pet lineup was truly iconic.

From tiny doggies to big German Shepherd energy

We had everything from small dogs with huge personalities to big German Shepherds who were locked in and listening like they were on a mission. One of them literally seemed to understand German, and I’m not even kidding. I was impressed.

The cat that changed my entire opinion of “cats in sessions”

And then there was the cat. The most well-behaved cat I have ever met at a photo session. Calm, cooperative, and basically posed like a professional. I wish I could book that cat as an assistant next year.

Real Portraits in a World Full of AI

I’m all for technology, but there is something irreplaceable about a real photograph. Not a generated version of your family. Not a “close enough” likeness. A real image from a real moment in time.

These sessions were a reminder that families still want something tangible and honest: the way your kid’s smile looks right now, the way your teenager smirks when they’re trying not to laugh, the way your partner pulls you closer without thinking, the way your dog looks at you like you’re everything. Those are the things you cannot recreate later.

What to Expect for Next Year’s Orlando Holiday Mini Sessions

If you missed out this year, I truly hate that for you, but don’t worry. These are annual, and I already can’t wait for next year. If 2025 taught us anything, it’s that spots go fast, and the best plan is to be ready early.

How to stay in the loop

• Bookmark this page for updates: Holiday Mini Sessions Details + Booking
• Check my blog for announcements and session tips: Michelle Vila Photography Blog
• Follow along on Instagram for behind-the-scenes and release dates: @michellevilaphotography

Quick FAQ: Holiday Mini Sessions at The Brand Studio Orlando

Can we bring pets?

Yes. Pets are welcome, and I love photographing them. Bring treats and something that gets their attention, and we’ll make it fun and fast.

What should we wear?

Choose outfits that coordinate without being overly matchy. Think warm neutrals, jewel tones, and classic holiday colors. Avoid tiny busy patterns and neon tones. If you want, pick one “anchor” outfit and build everyone else around it.

How do we get a mix of posed and candid photos?

I guide you the whole time. We’ll do a few classic “everyone looking” portraits, and then I’ll prompt you into natural interaction so you get authentic smiles and connection too.

Thank You, Orlando

To every family who showed up, trusted me, laughed with me, and made time for photos during a busy season: thank you. I’m beyond grateful.

To the returning families, thank you for letting me document your story year after year. To the new faces, I loved meeting you, and I hope I get to see you again next holiday season.

And to everyone who missed out this year, I’ll see you next year. We’ll do it again, we’ll make it beautiful, and we’ll keep capturing the real stuff.

With gratitude,
Michelle Vila
MichelleVilaPhotography.com