On Being Different: The Story Behind My Christmas Setup

(A heartfelt note from me to the families I photograph)

I almost scrapped my entire Christmas setup.

Not because it wasn’t working.
Not because anything was wrong with it.
But because… it didn’t look like everyone else’s.

As I scrolled through other photographers’ setups — the elegant ones, the polished ones, the beautifully staged and perfectly posed ones — something old and familiar whispered in the back of my mind:

“Maybe yours is too… different.”

Here’s the truth:

I’ve never been the cookie-cutter type — in life or in photography. I’ve always created from a place that’s a little quirky, a little imaginative, a little wonderfully “me.” It’s something I usually embrace wholeheartedly.

But sometimes that small voice tries to slip in and whisper, “Maybe you should match what everyone else is doing.” And for a moment, I forget that what makes my work different is also what makes it meaningful.

That’s what happened with this Christmas setup.
I started comparing.
And doubting.
And shrinking, just a bit.

But when I paused the scrolling and got quiet with myself, something true rose back to the surface:

Different doesn’t mean wrong.
Different doesn’t mean unprofessional.
Different often means honest — and full of heart.

Because when I look at how I create, it makes sense that my setup doesn’t look like everyone else’s.

I don’t photograph perfection; I photograph personality.

I don’t create clean, contained scenes; I create wonder.

I don’t ask children to sit still and behave; I invite them to be exactly who they are.

And so yes — my Christmas setup looks different.

It’s colorful.
It’s whimsical.
It’s playful.
It’s a little unpredictable.

And honestly… so am I.

But that’s why I love the families who choose me. They’re not trying to fit their kids into perfect boxes either. They embrace the quirks, the chaos, the giggles, the running, the realness. They see their children as magical and whole — not as something to “contain” for a photo.

Those are the families I love photographing and those are the kids I adore. Those are the people who make this work feel like joy, not pressure.

So if my setup looks different, it’s because I’m different, and because the families I photograph are beautifully, wonderfully different too. Thank you for letting me build a business that reflects who I really am… quirks, creativity, cozy chaos, and all. And to every parent who embraces their kids’ wild energy, crooked bows, silly faces, and full-hearted chaos —thank you.

Thank you for trusting me to capture them exactly as they are. Someday, they’ll thank you, too. I’m deeply, deeply grateful for every one of you.

If you’re ready to jump into the holiday season with a new take on your Family Christmas Photos, you can book your Christmas Mini Session here.

And of course, I approach family sessions the same way all year round, so if Christmas photos aren’t your priority this year, you’ll always be able to book a fun, kid-friendly photography session to capture your kids’ personalities, no matter the season.

~Carissa