Every year, Christmas mini sessions take on a life of their own.

Last year’s VW Red Bug Christmas minis?
They came with a little extra character — and a whole lot of wind.

I planned these sessions intentionally. I did a promo shoot in early fall to make sure everything felt cohesive and magical. The vision was simple: a vintage red VW Bug, cozy holiday styling, families, kids, and that timeless Christmas card feel.

Then mid-November and early December arrived… and so did the windiest days I think I’ve ever photographed in my entire career.

I’m not exaggerating.

The wind came out of nowhere. There was no slow buildup, no warning signs, and definitely not enough time to contact everyone or pivot plans. I’ll be honest — I was not prepared. At all.

There were moments I thought, There is absolutely no way this is going to work.

But then… rescue arrived.

My husband stepped in, securing everything down like a professional stage crew. Garlands were weighted. Props were anchored. We used a little creativity, a little determination, and a whole lot of smoke & mirrors.

And somehow — despite the chaos — the magic still happened.

Kids laughed. Families leaned in closer. Hair flew. Coats were hugged tighter. And what I saw through my lens wasn’t frustration or stress — it was connection.

When I delivered the galleries, I hoped people would still love them.

Then December came… and I started seeing them everywhere.

On Christmas cards.
On social media.
Framed in living rooms.
Shared with grandparents.

That’s when it hit me — the wind didn’t ruin anything. It added to the story.

Because real life isn’t perfectly calm. And the memories we cherish most rarely happen under perfect conditions.

These sessions were a reminder of why I do what I do. Not to create perfection — but to preserve moments. Even the unpredictable ones.

So now the big question…

Should I do the VW Red Bug Christmas minis again next year?