Episode 186: The Secrets of Santa Sessions with Kate Marie Portraiture

Private Santa sessions are one of the most beloved offerings a portrait photographer can add to her calendar, but building them into a smooth, fully booked experience takes more strategy than most people expect. In this episode, Ali sits down with Kate Grabowski of Kate Marie Portraiture, an eight-year Santa session veteran based just outside of Dallas, Texas, who has refined her process from zero bookings in year one to selling out 24 spots in a matter of days. In This Episode Why early marketing (we're talking July) is the single most important factor in booking out Santa sessions, and why you shouldn't panic when spots don't fill immediately How Kate structures a tiered launch, from a VIP client list to a "Nice List" sign-up to a public release, and why that sequence creates genuine urgency The case for private, unhurried sessions and why marketing the experience (not just the photos) is what sets boutique Santa offerings apart What Kate has learned about session length, scheduling logistics, and why she scaled back to one day after two exhausting back-to-back event days Creative gifting ideas that elevate the client experience, from homemade gingerbread Play-Doh to jingle bells tied with velvet ribbon How to get strong promotional images before you've ever run a single session, including working directly with your Santa for a pre-season shoot Whether you're considering Santa sessions for the first time or looking to refine what you're already doing, Kate's honest, experience-driven perspective is exactly the kind of practical guidance that makes the difference between a stressful day and a magical one. If today's episode has you thinking about adding Santa sessions to your calendar and doing them well, the TMA membership is where that planning gets real support. Every month goes deep on one piece of the photography business, with live coaching calls, featured educators, and a community of photographers working through the same questions. Join the waitlist at themotherhoodanthology.com/photography-mentoring/ and you'll be the first to know when enrollment opens. Connect with Kate Marie Portraiture: Kate Marie Portraiture: https://katemarieportraiture.com/ Kate's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katemarieportraiture/ The Motherhood Anthology Membership: themotherhoodanthology.com/photography-mentoring/ Connect with TMA: Website | Membership | Courses: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.themotherhoodanthology.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/themotherhoodanthology ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/themotherhoodanthology⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Kim: Site: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kimbox.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/kimbox ⁠⁠⁠⁠