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NATALIE STEPHENSON

AWARD WINNING FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER
BEND, ORegon

EVENTS

Holiday Kids Portrait Event: Capturing Childhood in Its Purest Moments

December 23, 2025

Hi, I'm NATALIE.
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The holiday season has a way of slowing time just enough to notice the little things — the sparkle in a child’s eyes, the curl of a tiny hand, or the way a giggle fills the room. This year, during our Holiday Kids Portrait Event, we took the time to preserve exactly those fleeting, magical moments. A Beautiful Christmas portrait photos that families can treasure for years.

Santa sitting beside a decorated Christmas tree during a holiday portrait session.

A Session Built Around Childhood Joy

These Santa and Holiday greenery sessions aren’t about stiff poses or perfect smiles — they’re about letting children be themselves. From shy grins to bursts of laughter, each session is gently guided to feel easy, playful, and natural. Kids explore the space, interact with props, and simply enjoy being in the moment.

The environment is calm, warm, and inviting. Our setups are intentionally simple, allowing each child’s personality to shine. For some, it’s a quiet moment of curiosity; for others, it’s full of energy and movement. Every expression becomes a memory, a tiny story frozen in time.


Holiday Kids Portrait Small Details, Big Memories

Every session includes thoughtful touches that make the experience feel memorable:

  • A seasonal backdrop designed to feel natural and timeless
  • Small props and textures that invite curiosity and playful exploration
  • Gentle guidance that helps children relax and enjoy the moment

The goal isn’t to create perfection, but to capture authenticity, connection, and joy. These sessions become a true snapshot of childhood — fleeting, genuine, and beautifully simple.

Child photographed in front of a holiday greenery backdrop with soft botanical textures.

Santa Petite Session

Rather than the usual rush of a busy mall visit, kids had the chance to meet Santa in a slow, comfortable setting, where they could settle in, breathe, and simply be themselves.

Some children leaned in close to share their wishes with Santa in soft voices, while others offered a shy smile or studied him with wide-eyed curiosity. Each interaction unfolded differently, and it was that, combined with these small, unscripted moments, that made the sessions so meaningful.

As a result, the images from meeting Santa carry a quiet kind of magic. Capturing the wonder and the little expressions that, together, make childhood such a joy to witness.


Holiday Greenery Session

The Holiday Greenery Session offered a softer, more nature-inspired feel. With botanical elements thoughtfully designed by Blomstra Floral & Co., the festive greenery backdrop created a peaceful and timeless setting for children and the beauty of the season.

Kids explored the textures, peeked around the branches, and settled comfortably into the space, letting their curiosity guide them. The resulting images feel organic and simple, capturing genuine expressions rather than posed moments.

For many families, the Holiday Greenery setup became a favorite, offering a quiet, natural backdrop where the true beauty of childhood could take center stage.


Celebrating Local Collaborations

Holiday Kids Portrait Event was made extra special thanks to our wonderful collaborators:

  • Blomstra Floral & Co. created a beautiful botanical backdrop. Their flowers and greenery added natural elegance and timeless charm. Consequently, the backdrop let each child’s personality shine.
  • Pelican Place & Co. curated a thoughtful gift box for every session. It included handcrafted goodies from small local businesses, such as artisanal candles and hand-dyed towels. These gifts added a personal touch and brought extra holiday cheer to families.

Together, these collaborations transformed each session into more than just a portrait session. Instead, they helped it become a warm, joyful, and meaningful experience.


A Little Keepsake to Remember the Season

Holiday Kids Portrait Sessions included a special keepsake ornament for families to treasure.

These ornaments weren’t just decorations — they were little reminders of the laughter, curiosity, and joy captured during the session. Handmade details and thoughtful design made each one unique, creating a tangible memory you can hang year after year.

For many families, the ornament became a cherished part of their holiday traditions, sparking smiles and stories every season. It’s a small but meaningful way to hold onto the magic of childhood.

Holiday Kids Portrait event Ornaments

More Than Just Pictures

Families often tell me that these sessions feel like more than just photography. They’re a quiet pause in the midst of a busy season. During that time, parents get to watch their children explore, react, and simply be themselves. The photographs that follow capture and hold onto those fleeting, meaningful moments.

It’s the little details — the tilt of a head, a spontaneous laugh, the calm right before a tiny burst of play — that make a session truly unforgettable.

A happy family in a Santa Petite Session.

What Parents Are Saying

It’s always such a joy to hear from families after a session. Here are a few reflections from parents who joined us

“Natalie was super great to work with! Her playful style helped my little one have fun with the camera and capture such cute pictures!” – Katie S.

“We loved working with Natalie! She was kind, fun, and super patient with our three rambunctious kiddos. It’s hard to get small humans looking at the camera at the same time (while also smiling), but Natalie worked her magic and stuck with it until we got the shot! We were elated with the final gallery.” – Jennifer B.

“Upon arriving for our kids’ Santa photo session with Natalie, we were welcomed with genuine warmth and a feeling of holiday cheer. The room was decorated beautifully, every detail thoughtfully arranged to create the perfect festive atmosphere. And then there he was: the big guy himself. Santa gave our children a friendly wave, and their faces lit up with excitement, instantly ready for photos with Old St. Nick. They laughed, they posed, and most importantly, they had fun, and so did we, watching from the sidelines. The session was smooth, quick, and magical from start to finish. Afterwards, the kids grabbed milk and cookies while we wrapped up a few details with Natalie. Then came a surprise: she handed us a gift. I have never received anything from a photo session besides a bill, so this gesture truly stood out. If you are wondering who to choose for your Santa pictures this year, choose Natalie.” – Don & Jessica J.

These stories remind me why I love what I do — capturing childhood moments that are playful, genuine, and full of joy.


Looking Ahead to 2026

Our Holiday Kids Portrait Event has wrapped for the year, and we’re already gathering ideas and inspiration for what’s ahead next season. If you’d like to be among the first to hear when 2026 sessions open, you can join the waitlist below.

Join the 2026 Holiday Kids Portrait Waitlist →

After all, capturing childhood is about more than photographs — it’s about preserving the little moments that make a season truly unforgettable. We can’t wait to create more of these memories with you in 2026


Preserve More Moments

Childhood passes in the blink of an eye, and every stage has its own quiet magic. If you’d like to capture more of these moments — from tiny giggles to growing personalities — our Motherhood and Family Sessions are designed to create timeless portraits you’ll treasure for years.

Share Your Thoughts

I’d love to hear from you and continue the conversation. For instance, what part of the Holiday Kids Portrait Event resonated with you the most? Or perhaps there’s a favorite holiday tradition or memory that you especially enjoy sharing with your children.

Either way, feel free to leave a comment below — your stories and reflections are always welcome here, and I can’t wait to read them.

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