Student Login
get the Free Preset

Steal my favorite preset

Save time editing with this preset that I personally use on my outdoor photos to brighten and warm up the scene.

The Joy Blog

INSTANT Family Photos Made EASY with the Canon EOS R6 Mark II + Lightroom Mobile

english photography tips posing + portraits
Instant photo delivery after shoot

 

Vanessa Joy is a wedding photographer and educator helping photographers grow profitable businesses.

This post is for photographers who want to offer quick-turnaround photos—especially during the holiday season. The problem it solves? Clients don’t want to wait weeks for their images, and you don’t always have time for long editing workflows. Here’s how you can streamline your process and wow your clients with fast delivery.

 

Why This Session Was Unique

This wasn’t a typical shoot for me. I don’t usually photograph families. But for neighbors I know and love, whose kids go to school with mine, I made an exception. Their goal was simple: capture the perfect Christmas card photo. My challenge? Shoot, edit, and deliver before hopping on a flight to Africa.

 

Behind the Scenes: Shooting the Family Session

We kept things quick, festive, and full of personality:

  • Smart locations → Two spots near their home with great light and a holiday feel.

  • Interactive posing → Prompts like “tickle each other” or “look at Mommy and Daddy” brought out natural laughter.

  • Attention to detail → Adjusted hands, fixed angles—even paid attention to the shoes.

These small touches made the photos feel polished without slowing us down.

 

Quick Edits for Big Impact

The key to fast delivery is making efficient editing choices:

  • Select favorites with your clients → Review shots together so they get exactly what they want.

  • Rely on presets → Apply a signature style quickly, then fine-tune details like warmth or flyaway hairs.

  • Deliver instantly → Export, text, and done—the family left with their photos in hand.

 

Pro Tips for Fast Delivery Sessions

If you want to try this with your own clients, here’s what works:

  1. Pre-plan your workflow → Have presets ready and know what’s non-negotiable in your edits.

  2. Keep it simple → Deliver a handful of great images rather than an entire gallery on the spot.

  3. Engage clients live → Review images together so there’s no guesswork later.

  4. Use the right tools → Portable printers, tethered editing, or mobile apps make this process smooth.

 

Why It’s Worth It

Offering same-day delivery doesn’t just save you time—it creates an unforgettable client experience. Imagine the joy of a family walking away with their holiday photos before the excitement of the session even fades. That’s a memory they’ll rave about.

 

Final Thoughts

This session reminded me why I love photography—it’s not only about images but also about connection and joy. If you’re a photographer looking to stand out during the busy holiday season, try quick-turnaround sessions. Your clients will love it, and you’ll love the smiles you get in return.

Now, I’m off to catch my flight ✈️—but I’d love to hear from you: Would you offer same-day delivery for your holiday sessions?

Your Next Step

Take the free Speed Posing 101 class

Learn to pose individuals, couples, and groups with precision and speed. This free class will help you shoot with confidence no matter the situation and consistently wow your clients with a variety of stunning images.

Take the free class

Latest from the blog

5 EASY and powerful ways to use a reflector for portrait photography

How I Became a Baseball Photographer for a Day!

She Sent Me a Pinterest Board… and We Created THIS!

Free downloads

Don't leave without your goody bag
Free Preset

Steal my favorite preset

Save time editing with this preset that I personally use on my outdoor photos to brighten and warm up the scene.

i'm ready

Get Posing ideas

The Posing Inspiration Guide

Use my poses that your clients will love. Swipe ideas for posing individuals, couples, groups, and details.

yup, i need it

Free Class

Speed Posing 101

Feel confident shooting, deliver a variety of images, and pose with precision and speed — I'll show you how!

let's do this!
Meet Vanessa

Photography education that gives your art an edge

Vanessa has been photographing weddings, events, portraits and lifestyle for over 20 years.

She's a Canon Explorer of Light, an honor given to only 5 photographers in the United States, and her work has been published by Yahoo! News, Grace Ormonde, Style Me Pretty, Rangefinder and more.

With her practical and open-book style of teaching, she shares everything she knows with hundreds of thousands of photographers as an educator and influential sparker.

Work with Vanessa →

Join Vanessa Joy's Photo Insiders

Come sit at our “lunch table” and learn with top-notch video lessons released monthly, a private community and live photoshoots. Join our live group coaching calls, request videos, and get your individual questions answered.

Become a member

Get photography and business tips

Join our email list to get it all directly in your inbox

Follow along on Instagram