by Kristin Vacca | Dec 15, 2025 | Babies, Cake Smash, Children, Christmas, Community, Families, Senior Portraits
As we wrap up another incredible year at The Flash Lady Photography, it’s amazing to look back at how much has happened since opening our brand-new studio space here in Newington, CT. From newborn snuggles to smash-cake giggles to empowering professional portraits, 2025 has been filled with milestones we feel genuinely honored to document.
This year, we welcomed 226 client sessions, and we’re still counting as we close out the holiday season. One of the biggest indicators of growth has been our ability to serve more families than ever before through our controlled studio environment and expanded offerings.
Beautiful 1st portrait session
Adorable cake smash session
Sweet newborn portrait session
A Year Full of Milestones
Parents from across Connecticut trusted us to help celebrate some of the most meaningful moments of their children’s lives:
- 31 newborn sessions capturing those fleeting first days
- 29 cake smash sessions filled with laughter and messy frosting
- 27 milestone and family portrait sessions
- 16 First Year Baby Plan clients completing a full year of photographs
- 4 senior portrait sessions, either having siblings or photographed themselves at a young age, and returned to have me take these special milestone photos
We love seeing these babies grow, and having the studio has made scheduling and consistency so much easier for families.
Beautiful senior portrait session
Delightful cherry blossom sessions
Outdoor family portrait session
Precious newborn portrait
A Big Year for Professional Branding and Headshots
With more businesses investing in modern branding content, we saw a rise in studio and on-location sessions for Connecticut professionals:
- 32 headshot sessions in the studio
- Multiple corporate branding projects on-site
- Headshots created for the Board of Directors at MDC
- Photography services for candidates in the Newington local elections
We also captured four special events, such as birthday parties and a First Communion.
First Communion Portrait
Record-Breaking Christmas Mini Sessions
Our holiday season saw a big jump this year with 94 Christmas Mini Session clients (and counting), far surpassing our usual average of 80 families. Being able to leave the setup in the studio after Thanksgiving made that possible.
We also introduced VIP Christmas Sessions for the first time, and 20 families chose this elevated experience that provides extended time, more images, and some extra special features.
Top Products Our Clients Loved This Year
Alongside an increase in sessions, 2025 was also a big year for beautiful printed artwork. Our most popular product continues to be the 10×10 Signature Album, a handcrafted, heirloom-quality book designed to preserve your favorite images for decades. Families love this album for milestone sessions, newborn portraits, and first-year collections because it tells the full story in a timeless, durable format.
During the holiday season, our Bamboo Ornaments and custom Holiday Cards were client favorites. These pieces offer a unique way to share your images with friends and family, and they are produced with exceptional print quality and efficient turnaround times. Whether displayed on the tree or mailed to loved ones, each item is created to be both beautiful and meaningful.
We are always thrilled to help families transform their portraits into keepsakes they can hold, display, and enjoy year after year.
Beautiful outdoor family portrait
Generational Portrait
Cake smash session
Cake smash portrait session
Outdoor family portrait session
Giving Back to the Community
Supporting local organizations is one of our core values. In 2025, we continued to partner with and sponsor groups such as:
National Night Out 2025
Looking Ahead
We are already planning an exciting year of studio portraits in 2026, with more milestone sessions, creative collaborations, and community involvement on the way. And yes, we are already booking for next year! If you’re hoping to secure a spot for newborn photos, a first birthday cake smash, winter family portraits, professional headshots, or a full milestone plan, now is the time to get on the calendar.
Because if 2025 has shown us anything, it’s that this community loves celebrating life’s most meaningful moments, and we’re thrilled to be a part of it!
Sweet newborn portrait session
Beautiful maternity portrait
At home first birthday session
Six Month Sitter Baby Milestone Session
Cake smash photo
Family portrait in the studio
Ready to Plan Your 2026 Portrait Session?
With our studio officially in full swing and the calendar already filling up, now is the perfect time to reserve your 2026 portrait session! Planning early means you get the very best dates, more flexibility around your family’s schedule, and the full studio experience without the holiday rush.
We would love to help you celebrate your baby’s first year, document a new chapter in your family’s story, or give your business a fresh professional look.
Save your preferred 2026 date today, and we’ll take care of everything else.
Contact us today to get started.
by Kristin Vacca | Sep 23, 2025 | Christmas
The holidays are around the corner, and that means it’s time for twinkling lights, festive outfits, and the chance to capture your family’s Christmas spirit! At The Flash Lady Photography in Newington, CT, Christmas mini sessions are one of the most anticipated events of the year. With a beautiful, one-of-a-kind set designed right in our cozy studio, families come together to make memories that will last long after the decorations are packed away.
If you’ve booked a Christmas mini session (or are thinking about it!), we wanted to share some tips to help your experience go smoothly, and to make sure you walk away with photos you’ll treasure forever.
And this year, we’re excited to introduce a VIP Christmas Mini Session option, which is perfect for families who want a little extra time to relax, capture more variety, and enjoy a less-rushed experience.
Whether you choose our beloved Christmas mini sessions or the VIP upgrade, these quick tips will help you make the most of your experience!
1. Plan Your Christmas Outfits Ahead of Time
Coordinating outfits is one of the simplest ways to make your photos look polished. You don’t have to match perfectly! Think more along the lines of “coordinating.” Choose a color palette with 2–3 main tones, like red and cream with touches of green, or cozy neutrals with pops of plaid. Avoid large logos or neon colors that can be distracting. Some families choose to do Christmas pajamas, and that’s always super cute, too! And most importantly, make sure everyone feels comfortable in what they’re wearing!
Dressed up, PJs, or anything in between, it all looks so beautiful!
2. Choose the Christmas Mini Session That Fits You Best
Our Christmas minis are designed to capture your family quickly and stress-free. To make the most of that time, keep accessories, toys, or extra outfit changes to a minimum. Simple is always best when you want to highlight genuine smiles and the connection between your family. If your kids need extra time to warm up, or if you want to capture more combinations of family portraits, the VIP Mini Session is the best fit. With extra time built in, you’ll have more flexibility and variety without feeling rushed.
Each year, my team and I love dreaming up festive details and activities to make the sessions feel magical. In past years, families have decorated cookies, snuggled up with a Christmas storybook, or played with fun holiday props that we’ve created! We’ve created our custom holiday sets with your family in mind, so we hope they bring you a lot of fun!
Stress-free and fun Christmas Mini Sessions
Special moments with Santa to last a lifetime
3. Prep the Kids (and Yourself!)
Little ones can be shy or unsure in new situations. Talk to them ahead of time about what’s going to happen: “We’re going to visit a fun Christmas set, smile for a few pictures, and then we’ll be done!” You can even show them my photo to introduce me to your kids, so they are familiar with me before the session. My elves and I all adore children and love getting to know them throughout your experience. We’ve worked with all kinds of kids and are ready to bring the Christmas magic to your family. Bring along a favorite small toy or snack for after the session as a reward.
Prep your children so they know what to expect
Make Christmas memories
4. Arrive a Few Minutes Early
Nothing adds stress faster than running late. Plan to arrive a little early so you have time to settle in, fix any last-minute details, and get everyone comfortable before we start. This makes a huge difference in helping the session feel calm and fun instead of rushed. The more relaxed you are, the more your kids will be too.
Give yourself plenty of time to arrive
5. Focus on the Fun
Your family doesn’t need to be “picture perfect” to create beautiful images. Focus on being present with your family, and let us capture those genuine connections. Kids might giggle, wiggle, or give silly grins, and that’s part of the charm!
Kids love the activities we put together every year, such as pretending to open presents, reading together by the Christmas tree, or sharing a big family hug. These natural activities, built into many of our sessions, bring out genuine smiles and holiday magic.
Some of the best images come from those real, candid moments that show your child’s personality. So let go of perfection and enjoy being together!
Capturing the magic of Christmas for our CT families
Our 2025 Theme is Dreaming of Christmas
Ready to Book Your Christmas Mini Session in Newington, CT?
If you’re in Newington, CT, or the greater Hartford area, now is the time to reserve your family’s spot for my Christmas Mini Sessions! Spots for these sessions always sell out quickly, and with the new VIP upgrade option, you can choose the experience that’s best for your family. Whether you’re looking for just a few quick festive portraits or a little extra time to create a variety of looks, now is the time to reserve your session.
Book your Christmas Mini Session today!
by Kristin Vacca | Oct 14, 2024 | Christmas
We’re biased here at The Flash Lady Photography, but we think that Christmas mini sessions are the best way to celebrate the holiday season with your loved ones! Whether you’re booking a session where your kids interact with Santa for a truly memorable event or opting for stunning family portraits with the one-of-a-kind backdrop, this is the perfect opportunity to capture the magic of the season!
The magic of a Christmas Mini Session!
One of the first decisions to make when planning your Christmas mini session outfits is to decide the overall vibe of your photos. Do you want them to feel formal, casual, or fun and cozy with everyone in pajamas? All options are super cute and can be tailored to your family’s personality!
Yep, your pup is welcome!
Here’s how to pick the perfect outfits based on your desired style, with some top tips on what to wear for your Christmas mini session!
Where to Start with What to Wear for Your Christmas Mini Session
Before you start picking out individual outfits, think about the mood you want your photos to capture.
Formal – If you’re dreaming of classic, elegant holiday portraits, formal attire will look lovely in your photos. Think festive dresses, tailored suits, or coordinated holiday outfits that will really sparkle! Many clients in the past have gone for this look with beautiful matching holiday outfits in rich reds, greens, and metallics.
This lovely client wore a shimmy holiday dress!
Another beautiful holiday dress that’s perfect for a Christmas Mini Session!
Casual: If you’re leaning toward a more laid-back look, casual but coordinated outfits are a great way to capture the warmth and fun of your family. Think polos and jeans, cozy sweaters, or flannel shirts. This style can make your photos feel approachable and relaxed while still celebrating the holiday spirit.
Dark polo for dad, a cream-colored blouse for mom, and a colorful long-sleeve polo for the sweetest boy!
Pajamas: Holiday PJs are always a hit! Imagine your family snuggled together in fun, festive pajamas—perfect for showcasing the coziness of the season. Families have shown up in matching Christmas pajamas. It adds a fun, whimsical touch to the photos, making them feel extra memorable and candid.
Matching PJs are always so cute.
Christmas Mini Session Outfit Inspiration
Once you’ve settled on a vibe, it’s time to choose the outfits! Here’s how to style each look for your session:
Formal Style: Classic Elegance
Opt for rich, festive colors like deep reds, greens, golds, or classic black and white for formal Christmas mini sessions.
A few ideas include:
Women: A beautiful holiday dress paired with elegant accessories.
Men: A well-tailored suit, vest, or a classic button-up shirt with dress pants.
Kids: Consider classic dresses for girls and a button-down with dress pants or even a bow tie for boys.
This style works beautifully with our custom, hand-crafted backdrop, which is designed to bring out the best in your family’s holiday spirit.
Mom wears a beautiful holiday dress, while her girls wear red dresses. Dad looks sharp in a black collared shirt and dark pants.
Mom looks beautiful in her dress. Dad dresses up with a jacket. The girls are wearing their holiday finest!
This beautiful family all wore a festival green in the dress of their choosing!
Casual Style: Comfortable and Stylish
If casual is more your style, you can keep it simple while still being festive. Casual attire can be just as beautiful, especially when you coordinate colors and patterns across the family.
Ideas include:
Women: Sweaters or blouse with dark jeans or pants. Plaid tops or dresses can be worn for a causal look or dressed up for a more formal look.
Men: Polos or sweaters paired with jeans or chinos in complementary colors.
Kids: Cute flannel shirts, cozy sweaters, or long-sleeve tops paired with pants or skirts.
You’ll feel comfortable while capturing a warm, joyful vibe that looks great on camera.
This sweet family chose solid long-sleeves while letting their little girl take the spotlight in her cute holiday outfit.
This is between formal and causal. This wonderful family looks lovely!
Can’t go wrong with holiday plaids!
These boys are wearing complimentary henley shirts!
Pajama Style: Cozy and Fun
There’s nothing more adorable than seeing a family in matching holiday pajamas! Whether you go for a full-on matching PJ set or each family member wears their own favorite holiday-themed sleepwear, this look is festive and fun. Pajama sessions add an element of playfulness, perfect for capturing candid smiles and fun interactions with Santa or just snuggling up together as a family.
Matching plaid PJs for this sweet family!
These brothers looks so cute in their matching PJs!
The kids are in matching PJs!
Final Tips on What to Wear for Your Session
Choose comfort – No matter which style you choose, make sure everyone feels comfortable. It’s easier to capture joyful expressions when everyone is relaxed! If possible, have everyone try on their outfits before the session to ensure everything fits and looks good!
Accessorize thoughtfully – I recommend keeping the focus on your family and keeping your accessories simple. Women can wear jewelry but avoid hats or bulky scarves.
Footwear matters – Don’t forget the shoes, especially if you’re opting for formal or casual. For pajama sessions, cozy slippers or bare feet work perfectly.
Try outfits on before the day of the session to ensure everything fits!
Central CT Christmas Mini Sessions in The Studio
Now that you’ve got some outfit inspiration, it’s time to get excited for your Christmas mini session! Whether you’re going for a formal, casual, or pajama look, this year’s hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind set will create timeless memories you’ll treasure for years to come.
Do you still need to book your Christmas Mini Session? Book your session today, and let the holiday magic begin!
Did you find this page before we released our annual Christmas Mini Sessions? Subscribe to our email to be the first to know and sign up!
Holiday reds look great for Christmas Mini Sessions!
by Kristin Vacca | Oct 16, 2023 | Christmas, Flash Lady BLOG
The Best Santa Pictures in Newington, Connecticut
As moms, we want to make the holidays magical for our kids. It isn’t until we become moms that we realize all the work behind the scenes to make the Christmas magic happen for our children! What’s a core memory that you have from Christmas? For many, it’s meeting Santa Claus.
When I was a kid, the only opportunity to take Santa pictures was to wait in a reallllly long line, probably at the local shopping mall, and I remember only one, maybe two, frazzled minutes with Santa. I had to wait in line with my three siblings, so we all went together. It’s kind of tricky to enjoy a special moment when you’re a Quadruplet! And the end result? Six exhausted family members, multiple crying children, and maybe, 1 5×7 loose print of the entire experience. It’s not something we aim to pull out of the archives as adults.
It’s not that my experience seeing Santa was that of the classic holiday movie A Christmas Story, but the truth is that meeting Santa is such a big deal for kids, and creating a unique Christmas memory is something families look for each year. What if you could create a magical holiday memory with your family, or meet Santa Claus without waiting in a long line and praying your child can say what they want for Christmas in 60 seconds or fewer? That’s too much pressure on all of you! Christmas is about soaking in the holiday cheer and making memories with your loved ones. And, don’t you want to cross that Christmas card off your list, too?
Have you considered a Santa picture session this year? Here are six benefits of taking private, professional Santa Pictures with your kids.
Christmas magic!
7 Benefits of Private Christmas Mini Sessions
1. No Waiting in Line – Ditch the line! Once you book your Santa pictures with me, all you have to do is arrive at your time slot—no waiting in a super long line. You’ll know exactly when your child gets to meet Santa. Our Elves will check you in efficiently and tell you when it’s time for the big moment. Once you’re booked, you can start the countdown!
Skip the long line and see Santa sooner.
Checking Santa’s Nice List!
2. Time to Warm Up to Santa –Meeting Santa is a BIG deal. Some kids happily jump up on Santa’s lap and start talking, while others need a few minutes to feel comfortable or need a parent nearby. Both are totally normal, and we’ll work with ALL of the feelings! Santa is very experienced in working with children of all ages. He’ll take the time to ensure your child is comfortable and able to share what they want for Christmas. With certain ages or desires, we can even take pictures without Santa first, and slowly introduce him for the best result. Our themed scenes mean the kids can DO fun things with Santa, too, not just sit on his lap!
Reading a book with Santa.
Spending quality time with Santa.
Unforgettable memories.
3. Privacy – When it’s your turn with Santa, it’s just your family, me, and Santa! No prying eyes of the people behind you in line or pressure to hurry things along. You and your family can just relax and enjoy Santa pictures this year. We also pay a lot of attention to cleanliness and germs this time of year. So you won’t need to worry about waiting with all sorts of other kids either! All shared items are sanitized in between sessions, hands are sanitized upon arrival (including Santa!), and we have air filtration & exhaust fans in place.
4. Professional Images to Treasure for a Lifetime – Put your phone down; I have you covered. Soak in this amazing moment that I created for your child and your family! I’ll capture professional images of this experience for you and your child to treasure forever. Year after year, we’ll watch them grow!
Capturing moments with those you love the most.
5. Attention To Detail – Well before your photoshoot takes place, we’ll have contacted you about how to plan for your session with Santa, the best tips for success, what to wear, what colors to choose for your outfits, and how to check in on the big day! You’ll know exactly what to do and what to expect all the way through – when you’ll receive your gallery and even what items you can order afterward. There’s no guessing working with The Flash Lady Photography!
We’ll send you tips on how to prepare for your session.
6. Done-for-You Custom Gifts and Cards – Imagine creating a beautiful collection box just for Christmas with a matted print that you get to hang up every year for the holidays. Or, the look on your parents’ faces when they unwrap their own portrait book with images of their grandchildren. Or your child hanging this year’s photo ornament on the tree. Christmas cards are such a great way to stay connected to loved ones near and far. After your Christmas mini session, I can handle all of this for you efficiently, with professional quality and fast shipping. You won’t have to worry about missing deadlines or poor quality from consumer labs. They’ll be the easiest Christmas gifts you’ve ever sent.
The easiest family photo you’ll ever take.
7. Stress-Free Holiday Tradition – As I shared at the beginning of this post, it’s a lot of work to create holiday magic. Trust me, I know it well. If you want to bring your child to see Santa or take a holiday Christmas card image with your family, let me take care of all the details for you. You deserve to make stress-free holiday memories, too!
Private Santa Pictures | Newington, Connecticut
As a Newington mom myself, I’m with you on making holiday magic. I love seeing the glow of the Christmas lights in my daughter’s eyes and knowing how excited she is for the holiday season. Take the pressure off creating the “perfect moment” because I’ve already created it for you!
During the summer, my husband, daughter, and I (and our parents!) spent weeks creating my custom Christmas mini session set. It’s custom-built, and so unique that you won’t find it anywhere else! Santa is so excited to meet your kids, too! But please know that these sessions will sell out! Book your Newington Christmas photo sessions here to secure your spot before November. You don’t HAVE to see us for Santa Claus either; we can just do your Family Christmas photos, too!
Do you have any questions or wish to book a full photography session with me? Please contact me here. We also have a LIMITED amount of weekday Private Individual Christmas Sessions!
Are you reading this blog at a later time? Join my VIP email list and never miss out on my Christmas Mini sessions again!
Stress-free holiday photos.
by Kristin Vacca | Nov 3, 2020 | Christmas
Christmas Photos 2020 | Newington, CT
It’s our 6th year of planning and time for Christmas Photos 2020 at The Flash Lady Photography in Newington, CT! We are best known for our custom designed, handmade themes that you won’t find anywhere else! For 2020, we decided to create a Gingerbread Village. And I just love how it came together! Using a red and white main color palette, this is going to go well with so many other outfit colors. We have three events this year as we did last year starting with our Santa Experience on Saturday November 14th, our Christmas Family Sessions without Santa will be held on Saturday November 21st, and our Christmas Pet Sessions to Benefit the CT Humane Society will be on Sunday, November 22nd (we can also book families without pets on this day). Clients will be able to safely navigate our 20ft set and determine how they’d like to visit with Santa Claus, or just their other family members. *All COVID-19 protocols will be followed including sanitizing buffers between sessions, an exhaust fan that will exchange air in the room, and 4-step air purifiers in both rooms you will enter. These are all private appointments only, and although we are just about sold out for all 3 dates, we’ve opened up a few more spots!
by Kristin Vacca | Dec 25, 2018 | Christmas
Santa Claus Photos | Connecticut Santa Photographer
What another amazing year it was for our popular sold out Santa Experience event where families can have unique professional photography appointments for Santa Claus photos! Each year, we transform our Newington, CT photography studio into a custom wonderland with a handmade set each year! This is our 4th year hosting this great event and it is very well known now! After posting appointment times live around Labor Day weekend in September, we had almost completely sold out the event in the first DAY of booking! And soon after all 32 spots were taken in addition to our other date in December for photos without Santa! So these spots book FAST! You will want to get on our newsletter list if this is something you are interested in! Clients love the fact that not only is this an EASY way for their children to meet with Santa, but they know they are getting a true professional photography experience. We really aim to make this an event that you and your kids will never forget! Now, that’s not to say that sometimes there aren’t tears and fears from our 1.5-2.5 year old kiddos, but we work our magic to make sure that every family has at least one special photo with Santa, even if we need to work some Christmas “magic” later. 🙂 We’ve had some families that come year after year and it is so amazing to watch these kids grow up! This year, we had babies as young as 2.5 weeks old all the way up to age 10! So there is a lot of fun to be had for all age. And clients came from all over Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts too! I also love that I can include a family photo with Santa for those clients that would like them as well. We even offer designed holiday cards and photos gifts at competitive prices with much better quality than you’ll find elsewhere. The day was incredible and I think you’ll see from the photos below that everyone had a great time! Now starts the planning for the NEXT great Santa Experience for Santa Claus photos in 2019! Enjoy!
