Nashville Santa Photos at Studio Ivoire in Franklin, TN

When I started planning my Santa mini sessions, I knew the room mattered almost as much as the man in the red suit. I wanted a space that felt calm, bright, and private, where a two-year-old could warm up to Santa Scott at her own pace instead of standing in a crowded line at the mall. That is why my Santa mini sessions at Studio Ivoire in Franklin, TN are happening one day only, on Saturday, November 7th, 2026.

Hi, I am Dolly, a Nashville and Franklin family photographer, and I have photographed enough sessions in this studio to know exactly how the light moves through it in November. Below, I am walking you through the space itself, where it sits in Franklin, why it works so well for little ones, and what happens if the weather turns ugly that morning. If you already know you want in, you can see the available Santa mini session time slots here.

Why I Chose Studio Ivoire for Santa Mini Sessions

I chose Studio Ivoire because it is a private, natural light studio in Franklin with creamy white walls and enough room for a full holiday set without feeling overwhelmingly huge. Your family is the only family in the room during your session.

That last part is why I book a studio instead of a public venue. There is no line snaking behind you. There is no other family watching while your toddler decides whether Santa is friend or stranger. It is your family, Santa Scott, me (my assistant), and about fifteen minutes of quiet holiday cheer in the best way.

The natural light is the other reason. Studio Ivoire has three northeast-facing windows and one southwest-facing window, and the light is at its best from morning through early afternoon, which is exactly when I schedule these sessions. Soft window light is flattering on everyone; it does not make babies squint, and it gives your Santa photos that warm, film-like glow instead of the flat, orange cast you get from a pop-up holiday backdrop under fluorescent lights. 

*And if you are wondering, yes, I do bring my off-camera flash unit in the event the lighting from the window “feels wonky” or is inconsistent. Because yes, I want the lighting on the pictures to be consistent and professional! So I don’t just depend on natural light to be clear 🙂

I have also shot family sessions, milestone sessions, and a strawberry themed cake smash session at Studio Ivoire in this room. I know where the light falls at 10 am. I know which corner works best for a nervous kid. That kind of familiarity means I am not troubleshooting the space on your session day. I am watching your child’s face.

What Studio Ivoire Looks Like for Photos

Studio Ivoire is minimal and light-filled: white walls, clean lines, and simple furniture that keeps the focus on your family, not the props.

For Santa minis, that blank canvas is the point. I am beyond grateful for the holiday set design that is determined by Kristie (the owner of the studio-who just so happens to be another family photographer, so I trust her vision), and because the walls and floors are neutral, the Christmas details read as festive instead of busy. Think a tufted chair for Santa, a small decorated tree, soft greenery, and a few classic touches your kids can actually interact with. Nothing plastic. Nothing that will make you cringe when you look back at these photos in ten years.

The studio also has real furniture, including a modern couch and an egg chair, which gives me options beyond the standard “child sits on Santa’s lap” frame. Some of my favorite Santa photos are the in-between ones. A little one leaning on the arm of the chair, whispering a Christmas wish. A big sister showing Santa her missing tooth. Parents in the background, laughing at something only their kid would say.

If you have seen my studio galleries and loved that soft, airy, bright feel, this is the room those images came from. Your Santa photos will have that same look, with a little more red and green woven in.

Where Is Studio Ivoire Located?

Studio Ivoire is in Franklin, Tennessee, just south of Nashville and close to the historic downtown Franklin area. Most Nashville families reach it in about twenty-five to thirty minutes.

I keep the exact address out of my public posts, but you will get the full address, parking instructions, and door details in your confirmation email as soon as you book. Parking is on site and easy, which matters more than you think when you are unloading three kids in holiday outfits.

A few planning notes for the day:

• Plan to arrive five minutes early. Not twenty. Five. These sessions run back-to-back, and arriving too early means waiting in your car.
• Build in a buffer for Franklin traffic. Saturday mornings near downtown Franklin can be slow, especially during the holidays.
• Get dressed at home. There is a private bathroom on site, but the fifteen minutes are yours with Santa, not for outfit changes.
• The studio is located UPSTAIRS. There is no elevator (unfortunately), so please keep that in mind for your Santa Mini Session (I am very sorry I did not design the building). Once you park, go inside the building and walk up the stairs to the left (I will send plenty of screenshots on the day of your session to help you navigate).

If you are driving in from Brentwood, Madison, Nolensville, Spring Hill, or Thompson’s Station, you are close. If you are coming from East Nashville or Hendersonville, give yourself the extra time.

Is Studio Ivoire Good for Toddlers and Young Kids?

Yes. Studio Ivoire is a private, enclosed, climate-controlled indoor space with a private bathroom and an infant changing table, which makes it one of the easiest studios in Franklin for families with babies and toddlers.

I want to speak directly to the mom whose two-year-old is currently going through a phase. You know the one. The phase where strangers are terrifying, naps are non-negotiable, and shoes come off within four minutes of leaving the house.

Here is why this space works for that kid:

• It is contained. No open doors to bolt through, no parking lot to worry about, and no other families weaving past you.
• It is small enough to feel safe. Big, echoey venues can overwhelm little ones. This room feels like a bright living room.
• It is warm. No coats over outfits, no red noses, no wind whipping through a hairstyle you spent twenty minutes on.
• There is a bathroom and a changing table right there. Blowouts happen. Potty training happens. You are covered.
• Santa Scott is genuinely good at this. He has been doing this for over fifty years. He reads the room, he never forces an interaction, and he has a knack for winning over the kid who walked in clinging to your leg.

And if your child still is not sure? That is completely okay. Some of the sweetest images I have taken are of a hesitant toddler watching Santa from the safety of dad’s arms. That is a real memory too, and one you will laugh about for years.

To help everyone walk in prepared, Santa Scott sends a short questionnaire after you book so he knows your child’s name, what they are hoping for, and anything else that will help him connect quickly. He does his homework. It shows.

Rain or Shine? What Happens if the Weather Is Bad?

Your Santa mini session happens rain or shine. Studio Ivoire is fully indoors, so November weather has zero effect on whether your session runs or how your photos look

This is one of my favorite things about running these sessions in a studio instead of outdoors. Middle Tennessee in November is a coin flip. It can be sixty five and sunny or it can be thirty eight and pouring. Outdoor holiday minis get rescheduled, and rescheduling a one-day-only event with a professional Santa is a logistical nightmare for everyone.

Indoors, none of that is your problem. Cold morning? Your kids are in short sleeves under the tree. Gray, gloomy sky? The window light still gives us that soft glow. You show up, your family gets photographed, you go grab lunch in downtown Franklin. Done.

The only thing weather changes is your drive time, so build in a cushion if the forecast looks messy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Santa Mini Sessions at Studio Ivoire

Where are your Santa mini sessions held? At Studio Ivoire, a private natural light studio in Franklin, Tennessee, roughly twenty-five to thirty minutes south of downtown Nashville. I send the full address in your confirmation email after booking.

When are the 2026 Santa mini sessions? Saturday, November 7th, 2026. This is a one-day-only event, and each family gets a private fifteen-minute session.

How much are Santa mini sessions at Studio Ivoire? The investment is $350. That includes fifteen minutes with Santa Scott, plus up to ten professionally edited, high-resolution digital images delivered in an online gallery with a print release. You can upgrade to the full gallery after the session if you’d like! 

Is there parking at Studio Ivoire? Yes, parking is on site. Parking and arrival instructions are included in your confirmation email so you are not circling the block with a car full of kids.

Is the studio good for babies and toddlers? It is. The space is private, indoors, climate-controlled, and includes a private bathroom with an infant changing table. It is small enough that little ones do not feel overwhelmed.

What happens if it rains on November 7th? Nothing changes. The studio is indoors, so your session runs rain or shine.

Can I book more than one time slot? Slots are first come, first served, and each one is fifteen minutes with one family. If you have a larger group or want to combine with cousins, message me before you book so I can help you figure out the timing.

How do I hold my spot? Three steps, all completed together: choose your time slot, sign your contract, and pay your invoice in full. Your slot is not reserved until all three are done. I walk through the whole process in my post on how to book Santa mini sessions in Nashville.

Ready to See Your Family at Studio Ivoire This Christmas?

Studio Ivoire has become one of my favorite rooms in Middle Tennessee, and getting to fill it with Christmas trees, twinkle lights, and Santa Scott for one Saturday a year is honestly the highlight of my fall.

If you want your kids photographed in soft window light, telling Santa exactly what they are hoping for, without a mall line or a rain delay, this is your day. Santa mini sessions at Studio Ivoire in Franklin, TN are booking now for Saturday, November 7th, 2026, and there are only so many fifteen-minute slots on the calendar.

Grab your Santa mini session time slot here.

And before you go, one thought I keep coming back to. Your kids will not remember the backdrop or the outfits. They will remember that you made space for the magic in a season that already asks a lot of you. I count it a gift to get to hold onto those few minutes for your family.

Curious about more Santa Mini Sessions with Dolly DeLong Photography? Read Them Here ⬇️

What to Wear for Santa Mini Sessions in Nashville, TN

Santa Mini Sessions in Nashville, TN: How to Book Your Spot

Meet Your Friendly Nashville Family & Motherhood Photographer