Christmas Mini Shoot or At Home Shoot in Hertford & Ware: How to Choose

Every year around this time, families in Hertford and Ware ask me the same question: should we book a Christmas mini shoot, or would an at home shoot, where I come to you, be better? There’s honestly no wrong answer. Both are relaxed, both give you lovely festive photos in plenty of time for Christmas, and I love doing both. They are quite different though, so I thought I’d put everything in one place to help you decide.

Christmas Mini Shoots in Hertford

My Christmas mini shoots in Hertford take place at the 3rd Hertford Scout Hut on Port Vale, a short walk from the train station, with plenty of parking right outside. This year they’re on Sunday 22nd and Sunday 29th November, and there are 15 slots on each day. It’s only a few minutes from Ware, and easy to get to if you’re coming from Hoddesdon, Cheshunt, Harlow, Stevenage, Hatfield or Welwyn.

I’ve got two brand new backdrops for 2026: a cosy wooden Christmas window and a snowy Christmas arch. You can use one or both, and there are plenty of props to play with too (sledge, reindeer, candy canes, presents and more).

Each session is up to 20 minutes. That doesn’t sound like long, but it’s plenty of time to get some fun, festive photos before anyone gets bored or overtired. It’s £69, and you only need a £25 deposit to book, with the rest due 3 days before your shoot. Afterwards you’ll get a gallery of edited photos and choose 3 to download. If you can’t narrow it down (I don’t blame you!), extra photos are £20 each or you can have the whole gallery for £79.

A mini shoot is a great fit if:

• you’d love a proper festive backdrop without having to decorate anything
• there are up to 5 of you (bigger families can book two slots back to back)
• any babies can sit up on their own, as they’ll need to for the backdrops
• you’d like gorgeous Christmas photos at a lower price

The one thing to bear in mind is that, sadly, pets can’t come along to the mini shoots.

At Home Christmas Shoots in Ware, Hertford and nearby

If the dates don’t work for you, or the thought of getting everyone dressed, into the car and out on a cold November afternoon fills you with dread, I’ll come to you instead. We’ll take relaxed, natural photos in front of your own tree, surrounded by your own lights and decorations. There’s something really special about having photos of your home at Christmas, too. In a few years you’ll love looking back at exactly how it all looked (and how small everyone was!).

At home shoots are £119, and you only need a £25 deposit to book, with the rest paid before your session. They’re typically up to 30 minutes, but I’m not watching the clock, so if someone needs a snack, a break or a cuddle halfway through, that’s absolutely fine. You choose 5 images, your gallery is ready within a week, and evenings and weekends are available. And yes, the cat or dog can be in them too!

I’m based in Ware and come to homes all around here, including Hertford, Bengeo, Hertingfordbury, Hertford Heath, Bayford, Tewin, Watton-at-Stone, Hoddesdon, Great Amwell, Stanstead Abbotts, St Margarets, Wareside, Thundridge, Standon and Puckeridge. There’s more detail on my pages for at home Christmas photoshoots in Hertford and at home Christmas photoshoots in Ware, and if your village isn’t listed, just ask.

An at home shoot is a great fit if:

• you’d love your pets in the photos
• you want photos with your own tree and decorations
• you need an evening or weekend that fits around school, work and the general chaos of December
• you’ve got a little one who’s happier (and smiles more) in their own space

Side by side

	Christmas Mini Shoot	At Home Christmas Shoot
Where	3rd Hertford Scout Hut, Port Vale	Your home in Ware, Hertford or nearby
When	Sunday 22nd or 29th November	A date that suits you, including evenings and weekends
How long	Up to 20 minutes	Typically up to 30 minutes, not time limited
Photos included	Your choice of 3	Your choice of 5
Pets	Sorry, not this time	Very welcome
Gallery	Within 2 weeks	Within a week
Price	£69 (£25 deposit to book)	£119 (£25 deposit to book)

Still not sure?

If you love the look of the backdrops and want something quick and good value, go for a mini. If you want the whole family in the photos, pets and all, somewhere cosy and familiar, the at home shoot is the one for you. And if you’re still stuck, just drop me a message and I’ll happily help you work it out. I’ll always get back to you within 24 hours.

Whichever you choose, I’ll keep it relaxed and fun. Nobody needs to be perfect, and the photos where everyone’s laughing are usually the ones that end up on the wall. You can see both options together on my Christmas photoshoots in Ware and Hertford page.