London Christmas Photography Portfolio Builder Day

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London Christmas Photography Portfolio Builder Day


If there’s one thing that can elevate the holiday spirit, it’s a Christmas-themed photoshoot in the heart of London. This year, I had the fantastic opportunity to attend a London Christmas Photography Portfolio Builder Day—complete with festive backdrops, twinkling lights, and not one but two incredibly talented professional models dressed in gorgeous Christmas attire.



Deck the Halls: Our Festive Setting




Our shoot took place at a cozy indoor studio decked out with all the yuletide trimmings—think twinkling fairy lights, holly wreaths, and a charming, vintage-style Christmas tree in the corner. The entire setup was designed to help both seasoned photographers and enthusiastic hobbyists capture magazine-worthy images for their portfolios.


The Models: Bringing Christmas Cheer



The highlight of the event, of course, was our two professional models, each dressed in her own unique holiday ensemble. Dressed in a glamorous red velvet Santa-inspired coat with faux-fur trim, she looked every bit the stylish assistant to the big man in red. Her bold lip color and delicate, glittery eye makeup perfectly complemented the outfit’s color scheme.



Channeling the elegance of a winter queen, the second model wore a long, flowing, white gown adorned with subtle snowflake motifs. A shimmering capelet and sparkling statement earrings completed the ensemble, adding a touch of ice-princess magic. Her makeup featured frosty eyeshadows and a dusting of silver glitter, capturing the essence of a snowy wonderland.


Both models exuded warmth and holiday cheer—welcoming every photographer, sharing fun ideas for poses, and encouraging everyone to think outside the box. Their collaborative spirit ensured that each participant could shoot a variety of styles, from playful Santa-themed candids to regal winter-themed portraits.


Festive Photo Opportunities


Throughout the day, we cycled through different scenes to help photographers build diverse, story-driven portfolios. Think cozy blankets, wrapped presents, and a roaring (digital) fireplace. Posed with stockings, candy canes, the models portrayed the quintessential holiday-home vibe. In a darker corner of the studio, strings of fairy lights provided a magical bokeh effect behind the models. They took turns striking dreamy poses, capturing that dreamy, starry Christmas-night aesthetic.


The organizers cleverly hung cascading paper snowflakes along a small staircase. This nook offered a more whimsical setting, with the models leaning on the banister or peeking around the snowflakes for enchanting, playful compositions.


Christmas lights are practically made for bokeh! We had so much fun playing with shallow depth of field settings to turn background lights into magical orbs. Both models took direction brilliantly, positioning themselves to highlight that mesmerizing glow.


From Santa hats to oversized candy canes and even some tinsel, adding a prop helps loosen up the shoot. Whether it’s tossing tinsel in the air or blowing snowflake confetti toward the lens, these gestures add energy and spontaneity to photos.


Everyone involved—models, photographers, makeup artists, and the event organizers—shared a genuine love for the season. Carols played softly in the background, adding an extra layer of merriment.



The models were especially helpful, offering gentle guidance to newer photographers on how to frame shots and suggesting creative poses that worked best for the holiday theme. Their experience and professionalism kept the session flowing seamlessly, ensuring each photographer left with a memory card brimming with fantastic shots.


By the end of the London Christmas Photography Portfolio Builder Day, each photographer had a trove of images perfect for holiday greetings, social media posts, and even commercial Christmas campaigns. The magic of the season was alive in every click of the shutter—from whimsical, laughter-filled poses to regal, wintery glamour shots.



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