“Do you still have availability for holiday photos?”
I took down the Christmas decorations today—all of them. December 1st, and the studio looks a little bare without the garland and twinkle lights that have been up since early November. Which means I’m about to get the phone calls. They always come around now, like clockwork.
The answer is almost always no. And honestly, understanding why might save you some disappointment next year—whether you’re a family in Boise wanting festive photos or a fellow photographer trying to figure out the logistics of your holiday photos timeline and booking constraints.
The Lab Closure Window Nobody Talks About
Here’s a peek behind the (holiday) curtains that catches people off guard every single year: our labs close production around Thanksgiving or the first week of December. Most families don’t realize that “getting photos before Christmas” means something very different from what they imagine.
When someone books a holiday session in mid-December hoping to have prints or albums before Christmas morning, we’re already past the window. The labs we work with—the ones that produce museum-quality prints on Hahnemühle Photo Rag paper and beautiful Italian leather albums—they shut down for the holidays earlier than you’d expect. They need time to process orders, and they need to ship them from across the world.
So when we talk about planning your holiday photos, we’re really talking about a timeline that runs backward from the lab closure dates, not from Christmas.
The Real Holiday Photo Deadline
If you want finished holiday photos in the form of prints, albums, or framed artwork by December 25th, your session needs to happen by mid-November. That’s not a suggestion—that’s the math of how production timelines work.
For us at Glean & Co, our November holiday sessions run hot. We’re shooting 2-3 times per week, fitting in Santa baby sessions for newborns, family portraits in full holiday regalia, and everything in between. By the time we hit Thanksgiving week, we’re already cutting it close. Any sessions booked after that are beautiful and worth capturing, but they’re not making it back before Christmas morning.
This is also why fall family photos aren’t something you can book last-minute in late October, even though that’s when everyone suddenly remembers they need them. There’s something about those golden leaves and the crisp air that makes everyone think “we should get family photos!” Right around that third week of October when the colors are at their peak, my phone starts ringing. People want outdoor availability, they want those perfect autumn backdrops, and they want it done… well, soon.
The problem? By late October, the timeline for a November lab deadline is already incredibly tight. If I book an outdoor session the week of October 21st, we’re looking at maybe two weeks to shoot, edit, curate images, have the ordering appointment, finalize selections, and get everything to the lab before they close for Thanksgiving prep. It’s doable, but it’s tight. And if anything—a sick baby, unexpected weather, a delayed editing decision—throws off that timeline even by a few days, we’re past it. (Not to mention that most years our books are completely full for both fall and holiday photos by the beginning of September!)
Planning Fall and Holiday Photos Ahead Actually Feels Better
I know “plan ahead” sounds like the advice nobody wants to hear when you’re already busy managing life with young kids. But here’s what I’ve noticed after years of doing this: families who book in August or September for October/November sessions feel more relaxed about the whole thing.
There’s no rushing. We can be flexible about dates if something comes up. If your baby gets sick or the weather doesn’t cooperate, we can reschedule without panic. You have time to decide what you want to wear, try on options from our client closet, and actually think about where these images are going to live in your home.
When someone books a week before they need everything, everyone’s stressed. The timeline squeezes. Decisions have to happen faster. And then—this is the part that surprises people—the holidays arrive and instead of having beautiful artwork to unwrap and display, you’re waiting for files or ordering appointments that had to be postponed.
What About Babies Due Around Christmas?
Here’s the thing that makes December and January special: if you’re expecting a baby right around the holidays, we can absolutely incorporate Christmas decor into their newborn photos. A tiny baby in a red velvet wrap, surrounded by white fur and soft lights? It’s stunning. We have families who do exactly this for their holiday photos.
But that beautiful Christmas-themed newborn session? If baby arrives on December 15th, we’re not getting beautiful prints back in time for them to be wrapped under the tree. That’s just the reality of lab timelines. What we can do is create gorgeous artwork that arrives in January and becomes part of your home’s decor—a forever reminder of when your baby arrived and how much love was surrounding them during the holidays.
And honestly? A baby that just arrived deserves to be celebrated with photos any time, not rushed just to hit a arbitrary deadline. If you have a family member due at the holidays, give them the gift of photos in the form of a gift card! We get them into the studio at a time that feels relaxed and comfortable for them and you get to enjoy seeing the photos in the new year.
For Boise Families Reading This in December
If you’re sitting here on December 1st (or somewhere in that first week of December) wishing you’d booked photos sooner, I get it. Life is full and you forget things. Next year, try marking your calendar in mid-July: “Book fall family photos this month.” Aim for September or early October sessions for the best weather and most flexibility with getting images back.
And if you want holiday photos for next year? We usually send out our booking links by the first of October with sessions taking place the first 3 weeks of November.
For Fellow Photographers Figuring Out This Timeline
If you’re running your own studio and trying to understand why clients can’t just book last-minute holiday sessions, now you know it’s not just about your schedule—it’s about the labs. Your production timeline is longer than most people realize, and that’s worth explaining to clients upfront.
I started being really transparent about this a few years ago. Instead of taking on last-minute bookings and then racing to meet impossible deadlines, I just explain the lab closure dates in September when I’m opening November bookings. Families understand. They might not be thrilled, but they understand. And honestly, fewer panic calls in December means we can all actually enjoy the holidays.
If you’re working with labs that have different timelines, great—adjust accordingly. But whatever your timeline is, make it clear. Let families know when the real deadline is for holiday delivery, and then stick to it. You’ll thank yourself when you’re not editing until midnight on December 20th.
Here’s to Holiday Photos (That Arrive on Time)
This year’s holiday sessions were absolutely beautiful. We had newborns in Santa hats looking absolutely precious, families laughing in front of twinkling lights, and moments of genuine holiday magic captured in our studio. Seeing those images printed on quality paper and delivered before Christmas felt wonderful—both because the families loved them and because we actually made the deadline without stress.
Next year’s timeline starts in August. Mark your calendars.
Planning holiday photos in Boise? Whether you’re expecting a newborn or wanting family portraits, understanding our production timeline helps us create exactly what you’re hoping for. Reach out in August or September to find your perfect session time. We can’t wait to capture your family’s holiday magic—on a timeline that actually works.
Fellow photographers? What’s your lab closure timeline looking like? Drop us a line at hello@gleanandco.com—we love chatting through the logistics that make this work.
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