Campfire & S'mores Christmas Mini Sessions

As a natural light photographer, primarily, I don’t get to enjoy the little props and set ups that studio photographers get to put together; but at my Mini Session Events, I do like to bring that little bit of creativity out to play and I try to think of ideas that I can envision my family enjoying and what I would want captured.

Family Campfire Smores Photography at Cobblestone Wedding Barn Scottsville, NY

One of my absolute favorite memories with my family, S’mores by the campfire. It takes my back to my Dad and I going camping. Just the two of us and occasionally with friends and family but either way, always great memories that I like to flash back to from time to time.

When I was putting this years Mini Sessions together for Christmas, I had one of my wild thoughts and mentioned it to a friend. “What if I did wooden logs around a campfire and captured each family enjoying a S’mores?”

Mini Sessions are meant to be a 20-30 minute session to capture some updated images but when I get to bring ideas to the table and others SEE that vision with me… get the same amazing fuzzy feeling when they know what memory I’m wanting to document for them… that’s gold to me. (I also feel somewhat less crazy! HA!)

I sought out campfire style props and talked to the owner of the property at the beautiful Cobblestone Wedding Barn in Scottsville and I’ve worked with Kane on quite a few projects now (as well his work family from Colby’s Catering) and I just love working with all of them! Talk about a bunch of GOOD PEOPLE!!!

Anywho, When I went to see Kane back in October to run this idea by him for using his property, he knew exactly what I was looking for and would have it set up the morning of the Mini Sessions. After months of prep and coming up with a “Secret Second Setup”, the Mini Session weekend was finally here. Only thing was, there had just been a huge snow storm the previous week and now it was super warm…

MUDDY PUDDLES EVERYWHERE! Oye!!

My two assistants and I, navigated a perfect walking path for Clients to walk down to get to the campfire which was beautifully set up with Christmas red blankets and pillows, radio playing Christmas carols and the smell of campfire. It was perfect.

One by one, each Family started off with a photo of everyone looking at the camera and the rest of their time was literally enjoying each others’ company. Talk about capturing true, genuine memories!!! It was everything I wanted it to be and more. First few moments roasting marshmallows, followed by squeezing them between Cinnamon Graham Crackers and of course Hersheys Chocolate and you could honestly see the child coming out of each adult that attended; and let’s not forget the teenagers that think they’re too cool for pictures! Every one had a great time and when their S’mores were done, we got up and hit the Secret Second Location which was a vintage, 1950’s truck, decorated with a lit up wreath, Christmas blankets and pillows, glasses of milk, Christmas story books and a vintage lantern.

Vintage Truck Family Christmas Photography Rochester, NY

This set up was just as popular as the Campfire and with that beautiful Christmas music coming from a large speaker, it just brought everything together in a magical way.

One of my favorites from this years event, was a family that I have photographed over the years and watching their daughters grow in love and grace has been such a wonderful part of my work; So when the idea of a marshmallow war came up… well.. who am I to stop this amazing memory….

SO MANY MEMORIES CAPTURED! And I am so glad to be able to present a Client with a gallery of these images!

Once Clients started getting their galleries and teasers, I had so many people message me and tell me how much their families really enjoyed their sessions (and even the husbands said it was so easy and they had a good time, even though it was right in the middle of a favorite football game!!) Now that’s what I call a success!