Your baby only has one first Christmas, and a photoshoot is a lovely way to remember it. If you are thinking about booking a baby’s first Christmas photoshoot in Northampton, this guide walks you through how the session works at Mihai Gonguta - Photo Studio, what to bring, which colours work best and when your photos will arrive.
All Christmas sessions take place at our Northampton studio, 160 Coppice Drive, Northampton NN3 6NG. Full details, prices and the booking calendar are on our Christmas photoshoot page.
Christmas 2026: this year’s two themes
Elegance, classic and warm, for elegant dresses, tailored suits and crisp shirts. Winter, a snowy cabin scene with a hot cocoa stand and a porch lit with warm fairy lights. Both are new handmade sets, both are included in every session, and they are revealed at the start of November.
The family photos in this post are real sessions from Christmas 2025, taken in last year’s sets. The Winter picture further down is a preview of this year’s set.
Is there a best age for a first Christmas shoot?
We do not set a minimum or maximum age for Christmas sessions. They are made for families, children and couples, and every baby is different. If you are unsure whether the timing suits your little one, send Mihai a message on WhatsApp before booking and he will happily talk it through with you.
Each session is for one family, so parents and brothers or sisters can all be in the photos together with the baby. If you would like grandparents to join too, get in touch before booking and we can talk through the options.
Two handmade Christmas sets
Every session includes two themes, and both are real sets built by hand in the studio, revealed at the start of November.
- Elegance is classic and warm, suited to elegant dresses, tailored suits and crisp shirts.
- Winter is a snowy cabin scene with a hot cocoa stand, a porch lit with warm fairy lights and a vintage truck carrying home a frosted tree. Outdoor coats and cosy jumpers are welcome on this set.
How the session runs
Arriving at the studio
We recommend arriving 10 to 15 minutes before your appointment. It gives you time to relax and settle in before we start, which helps when you are arriving with a baby. Parking is available directly in front of the house. When you arrive, contact Mihai and he will come out to meet you.
Shoes off at the door
To keep the studio clean and safe, everyone removes their shoes at the entrance. If you would like to be photographed in shoes, bring a completely clean pair kept just for the session. Shoes worn outside, even just from the car, are not permitted on set.
Changing at the studio
Bring your outfits on hangers and change at the studio, so everything stays free of creases for the photos.
How long it takes
Session length depends on your package, with time for both Christmas themes:
- Mini: up to 45 minutes
- Bronze: up to 60 minutes
- Silver: up to 75 minutes
- Gold (VIP): up to 90 minutes
What to bring
- One outfit per theme for everyone in the session, including your baby.
- Clothes on hangers, ready to change into at the studio.
- A clean pair of shoes, never worn outdoors, if you want shoes in the photos.
- Everything you would normally pack for your baby on a day out, so feeds and changes do not interrupt your plans.
Please leave pets at home, as they are not permitted in the studio for hygiene and safety reasons.
Outfit colours for each theme
Plain and simple clothes, without prints or logos, work best on both sets. Choosing colours from the same list for the whole family helps everyone look coordinated in the photos.
Elegance
Go for classic warm tones: white, cream, red, burgundy, gold, brown and green. A soft cream or white outfit for your baby looks lovely next to parents in deeper reds or greens.
Winter
Go for cosy festive colours: red, burgundy, green, white, cream and brown. Knitted jumpers and outdoor coats suit this set perfectly.
Getting your photos before Christmas
3 to 4 days after your session you get a private gallery of watermarked previews to choose your favourite photos. Browse at home at your own pace: you have 15 days to choose.
We then edit the photos you chose: they arrive within 20 working days, or by 25 December if your selection is made by 20 December. They are delivered through a private online gallery with download links, and your final gallery stays online for 3 years. If you need them sooner, rush editing delivers your photos within 72 hours of your selection for £99.
Booking your baby’s first Christmas session
You book directly on the Christmas photoshoot page. Pick a day and time in the calendar, choose your package and pay the £49 deposit by card. The deposit comes off your final total, and the balance is paid on the day of your session by cash or bank transfer. Your confirmation email includes the studio address, parking details and a session guide with outfit advice.
Know grandparents who would love to give this as a present? A gift voucher can be bought for any amount from £20 to £1,000 and arrives by email.
See packages and available dates for Christmas 2026
Frequently asked questions
Where does the baby’s first Christmas photoshoot take place?
At our Northampton studio, 160 Coppice Drive, Northampton NN3 6NG, with parking directly in front of the house.
Can grandparents be in the photos?
Each package covers one immediate family. If you would like grandparents or extended family included, get in touch before booking and we can talk through the options.
How many outfits should we bring?
One outfit per theme for each person, so two outfits each: one for Elegance and one for Winter.
Will the photos arrive in time for Christmas?
Yes, if your selection is made by 20 December, your edited photos are delivered by 25 December. Otherwise they arrive within 20 working days.
Can we bring our dog?
No. Pets are not permitted in the studio, for hygiene and safety reasons.
