This is our last blog of 2025 and our first blog of 2025. 😆 We used to write blog articles for some large photography websites, such as Petapixel.com and others, so we’ve decided to start our own. This, being December, we figured we’d start off talking about the holiday season.
Looking at these photos, what do you think they have in common?
The answer is, we shot both of them at two different parties on the same day in the same way but for completely different purposes. The first photo we shot for a local Century 21 real estate office. They hired us to take family photos with Santa all day for their open house holiday party. The “Santa” they brought in was absolutely fantastic. Families loved him, the kids loved him, and he was a big hit. Here we setup a small studio in their offices and while we were taking photos, our assistant was selecting the best of each family, making a quick edit, and printing each image into a 5×7 print in a matter of seconds. So each family or group had the opportunity to have a take-home gift for attending, suitable for framing. The Client also wanted everyone to be able to download their photos as well, so within 24 hours, we had all of the digital photos in a branded, online gallery for them to share with all of the guests so everyone can use and share their photos on social medial for the holiday season.
Just a few hours later, we were shooting for WestStar Credit Union. This was our tenth year shooting for their annual holiday party for their employees. While not as massive as some of the holiday parties we shoot, they really know how to put on a great event each year. every year, we shoot some pretty extravagant corporate parties but sometimes the nicest ones are where the companies we work with can put together something really fun for their employees without spending a fortune. Every year, WestStar has a theme to their party. One year it was “70s disco”, the next year, it was “Cowboys & Cowgirls”. This year, they decided to go a bit more formal with a Hollywood Red Carpet theme complete with dinner and dancing, photo booth, caricature artist, casino tables, prize giveaways, and more. It’s a simple holiday party that everyone in their company looks forward to each year and we’re really glad that we’ve been able to work with them every year to capture the fun moments of everyone walking the red carpet.
What makes shooting a company Christmas party truly fun, though, is witnessing people step out of their everyday roles and into their human side. Titles drop, guards come down, and personalities shine in ways they rarely do in the office. You get to be the quiet observer who turns fleeting moments—shared jokes, heartfelt toasts, dance-floor victories, and end-of-night hugs—into lasting memories. By the time the lights come up and the music fades, you’re not just leaving with a full memory card; you’re leaving with the satisfaction of having captured the spirit of celebration, connection, and well-earned joy that defines the season.
