The Christmas Kitchen is one of those sets that quietly did a lot of the heavy lifting for me when it came to Christmas photo shoots last year.

It worked beautifully for babies, toddlers, older children, whole families, and everything in between. Younger children loved the hands-on elements – the bowls, the wooden spoons, the pretend baking – while older kids relaxed into the space and just enjoyed the atmosphere. It felt festive without being stiff, styled without being over-directed.

One thing parents often worry about with interactive sets is safety, especially when tiny people are involved. Every child sitting on the counter had a parent hidden just out of frame behind the set, with another adult positioned in front too – essentially a full surround of calm, ready hands. It meant children could explore safely, parents could relax, and I could focus completely on natural expressions and connection.  (And for the record, we never actually needed to catch anyone – but knowing it was covered made all the difference.)

That combination of warmth, interaction and reassurance is why the Christmas Kitchen worked so well across so many different families. It wasn’t about perfect posing – it was about creating a space where real moments could happen.

Mini Event Photo Shoots in East Grinstead

I run a series of special events throughout the year, from seasonal mini sessions to themed experiences designed to capture magical moments. Booking for each event opens on the first of the month before it takes place, so be sure to join my mailing list or follow me on social media to stay updated and secure your spot when bookings go live!