Holiday mini sessions are one of the most in-demand offerings for photographers each year. They’re quick, festive, and perfect for clients who want updated photos without committing to a full session. The challenge? Making sure your sessions sell out quickly before your prime dates get scooped up by something else on your clients’ calendars.

Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to promote your mini sessions, and with Iris Works, you have everything you need to create, send, and track your campaigns without juggling multiple tools.

1. Build Your Email List Inside Iris Works

Before you send your first campaign, make sure you have an audience ready.

• Go to Contacts in Iris Works and review your client list.
  
  
• Tag past mini session clients with something like holiday_minis so you can easily target them.
  
  
• Import any additional leads who have opted into your emails — for example, from website sign-ups or past event lists.
  
  

Pro Tip: Create a saved contact group for mini session marketing so you can send to that group with one click.

2. Craft a Compelling Email Campaign

Go to Email Marketing → New Campaign Templates in Iris Works to start building your email.

Your mini session campaign should include:

• A catchy subject line: Examples: Holiday Minis Are Here — Reserve Your Spot Today! or Limited Spots for 2025 Holiday Minis!
  
  
• High-quality images: Include a few photos from past minis so clients know what to expect.
  
  
• Clear details: Date, location, price, what’s included, and how to book.
  
  
• A strong call-to-action button: Link directly to your Iris Works Booking Calendar so clients can reserve their spot instantly.
  

3. Use a Series, Not Just One Email

One announcement email is good, but a planned series works even better. With Iris Works, you can schedule multiple emails in your campaign:

1. Initial Launch: Announce your minis with all the details.
   
   
2. Reminder: One week later, highlight how many spots are left.
   
   
3. Last Chance: A few days before the date, push urgency with “Only 2 Spots Left!” or “Final Day to Book.”
   

4. Segment Your Audience for Higher Conversions

Instead of sending the same message to everyone, break your email list into groups:

• Past holiday mini clients
  
  
• Clients who booked other types of sessions but not minis
  
  
• Leads who haven’t booked yet
  
  

You can duplicate your email campaign in Iris Works and tweak the message for each segment — making it more personal and relevant.

5. Track Your Results and Follow Up

After sending, check your Iris Works email campaign report to see:

• Open rates: Are people seeing your message?
  
  
• Click rates: Are they clicking to your booking page?
  
  

Follow up with anyone who clicked but didn’t book by sending a quick personal email. This small step often converts warm leads into bookings.

Maximize Your Mini Session Sales This Year

With Iris Works’ integrated email marketing and booking tools, you can go from announcement to a fully booked calendar without switching platforms. A thoughtful campaign, combined with the right images and targeted messaging, can help you fill your spots quickly — and keep your holiday season both profitable and manageable.