Your holiday mini session is booked — yay!


Whether these photographs are destined for your Christmas cards, framed on Grandma’s wall, wrapped up as gifts, or simply tucked away as memories of this season of your family, I’m so excited to capture them for you.


Here are a few simple things you can do ahead of time to help your session feel relaxed, enjoyable and beautifully you.

 

Please Arrive Early — But Not Too Early!

Holiday mini days run on a carefully scheduled timeline, with families photographed back-to-back.


Please aim to arrive and be waiting outside our studio room approximately 10 minutes before your scheduled shoot time. Your session time is the time we need to begin photographing — not the time to be finding parking, unloading the stroller or entering the building.


Studio rooms are paid for and reserved by the photographer for specific time slots only. Unfortunately, if you arrive late, I cannot extend your session beyond its scheduled end time. For example, arriving 10 minutes late for a 30-minute mini session may leave us with only 20 minutes to photograph.


I'd much rather spend those extra minutes capturing your family than rushing everyone in!


Give yourself more travel time than you think you'll need. Toronto traffic + finding parking + getting children out of the car can be quite the combination. 😉

 

Where Do We Park?

 

There is free street parking along Campbell Avenue, just south of the building.


Please note that parking directly in front of the Clock Factory building has a one-hour limit on weekdays.


For sessions longer than one hour Monday–Friday, Mint Room recommends looking for parking:


  • On Symington Avenue, west of Campbell
  • On Campbell Avenue south of Antler
  • On Antler Street

Always check the posted street signs when you park, as parking restrictions can change. Parking also changes over on Thursdays.


Allowing yourself a little extra parking time is one of the easiest ways to make sure your family walks into the studio relaxed rather than rushed.

Bringing a Stroller?

Read This Before You Come!



One important thing to know about the building: There is no standard passenger elevator to the studio floor. You can use the stairs to reach the studio on 2nd/3rd floor (depending on your theme room), so keep this in mind when deciding how much gear to bring with you.


If you need elevator access — for example, if you're bringing a stroller — there is a freight elevator in the 300 Campbell hallway, located to the left of the main staircase. The freight elevator requires assistance to operate. Please contact the Mint Room team directly at 647-977-2793 for assistance with the elevator. If you know you'll need it, give yourself additional arrival time so this doesn't cut into your photography session.


My personal preference is to ditch the stroller and bring the baby in a car seat/carrier

- I find it much easier.

 

Come Photo-Ready 

 

There is no change room inside the studio room, so please plan to arrive as close to photo-ready as possible.


Have outfits on, hair styled and everyone ready to go before your session begins.




If children are wearing special photography shoes, you can simply switch them from their outdoor shoes once you're inside.



A quick hair or lipstick touch-up is absolutely fine — just avoid planning full outfit changes once your session time has begun.

Keep the Final Hour Before Your Session Simple

If possible, don’t schedule ten errands before your family photos. Give yourselves a little breathing room. Make sure little ones have eaten, had water and — when schedules allow — aren't arriving exhausted or desperately hungry.


Before coming into the studio, do one quick check for:

  • clean little faces and noses
  • brushed/styled hair
  • empty pockets
  • phones and keys out of adult pockets
  • hair ties or watches you don't want photographed
  • clean shoes
  • clothing tags tucked away
  • diapers checked for little ones


And then… you’re ready.

Bonus plan


Make it a holiday tradition for your family! Every year, get ready to go get your family photographs followed by coffee & cake at a cafe or..a trip to grandmas to show off your cute outfits ..or a special family lunch to recollect the year.  Planning something for after also helps keep your kiddos excited to get the photoshoot done well & quick and have something to look forward to after ;)

Pack a Tiny “Photo Emergency” Bag

You definitely don't need to bring the entire house with you!

A small bag with a few essentials is plenty.

Consider bringing:


  • Water
  • A non-messy favourite snack for little ones
  • Baby wipes/tissues
  • Diapers and usual baby essentials
  • Hairbrush/comb
  • Lip balm or lipstick for quick touch-ups
  • A favourite tiny toy if your child needs some encouragement
  • Any special prop we have discussed beforehand


Try to avoid chocolate, colourful candy or messy snacks right before photographs — we want those adorable outfits to survive until the end!

Need the Restroom or a Coffee?


Restrooms are located in the building hallway rather than inside our studio room. You'll need to retrieve a bathroom key when required (95% of the times Ive found they are already open). Keys are available:

Unit 300: At the reception desk

Unit 212: On the hooks near the entrance door


And if you've arrived with a few minutes to spare — or Mom and Dad desperately need some caffeine after getting everyone photo-ready — Hale Coffee is conveniently located inside the building on the first floor at 300 Campbell.


Just make sure you still make it upstairs and are waiting outside our studio room 10 minutes before your session!

Let's Keep Our Studio Beautiful

Mint Room's holiday sets are beautifully and carefully styled, so we really appreciate your help keeping the studios, furniture and rugs clean and tidy.


Please supervise children throughout the session and don't allow them to climb on or move studio furniture or décor unless I've specifically directed you to do so for a photograph. If you'd like to bring a special prop, sign, book, toy or meaningful Christmas item, please discuss it with me beforehand.


One of the unfortunate biggest temptations Ive seen kids have is the desire to unwrap the gift boxes or move the ornaments on the trees - please remind them the gifts are just empty prop boxes! :P


Most importantly, please remember that damaged or broken studio items may be invoiced, and furniture stains can incur a $100–$300 cleaning fee.


A little care from all of us helps keep these beautiful spaces available for everyone.

Parents: Your Job Is Easier Than You Think



One of the biggest things I want parents to know is this: You don't have to manage the photographs while I'm photographing you. If I'm trying to get your child's attention, keep looking toward me and smiling rather than turning to repeatedly tell them to smile. Sometimes I get the perfect expression from a little one… only to find both parents looking down at them!


Let me worry about getting their attention. Your job is to love on your people. Hold your babies. Snuggle your children. Laugh with your spouse. Play with your kids. I'll guide you when you need guidance.


Some of my favourite photographs happen when children aren't sitting perfectly and staring at the camera.


We'll cuddle. We'll play. We'll explore the set.


We might tickle Dad, snuggle Mom, look at Christmas decorations, read together, dance, whisper something silly or let your toddler investigate something fascinating for a minute.


Of course, I'll aim to get those beautiful everyone-looking-at-the-camera photographs too. But I'm also looking for the little moments in between. Your child's personality is part of the memory.


So if your toddler needs a minute, your baby wants Mom, or your preschooler suddenly decides smiling is absolutely unacceptable — don't panic.


They're kids. I expect them to act like kids.

When Your Session Ends, We'll Need to Head Out Promptly

Mini sessions are intentionally short and sweet — which is one reason they work so well for young families! When our session time ends, we'll need to gather our belongings and leave the studio promptly so I can reset and prepare for the next family.


I'll let you know when we're approaching the end so it doesn't feel abrupt. Please double-check that you have coats, bags, phones, children's belongings and anything you brought with you before leaving.


As much as I'd love to spend extra time chatting with you & getting to know you more, Its important I prepare for the next family too.  

You will surely hear from me within a week's time after the shoot. And if you have any questions in the meantime, you can always reach me via email or Instagram DMs :)

Your Night-Before Checklist

  • Outfits steamed and ready
  • Clean indoor shoes packed
  • Accessories laid out
  • Small essentials bag packed
  • Mint Room address saved
  • Parking plan checked
  • Extra time planned if using the freight elevator
  • Session time double-checked
  • Plan to be outside the studio room 10 minutes early
  • Everyone included in the session confirmed (no extra people!)
  • Kids told they're going to have some holiday fun — not instructed to perform!

 

And that's it.


Come as you are. You don't need perfectly behaved children, professional models or a completely stress-free morning to create beautiful family photographs.


I can't wait to welcome you into the studio and capture a little piece of your family's Christmas this year.