Every family knows the Christmas card photo struggle. Somebody always blinks, or the toddler won’t look at the camera, and by the tenth try everyone’s ready to give up.
This year a small number of families get to go through all that in front of Elvis Presley’s Graceland, dressed up for the holidays. If you’re hoping to be one of them, you’ll want to move fast.
On Oct 7, Graceland announced the return of its “Graceland Holiday Photo Sessions.” The idea is simple. You book a short session, a professional photographer meets your group at Elvis’s decorated home, and you go home with pictures good enough for the front of your card.
The photos are taken in two spots Graceland chose. One is outside, by the mansion’s holiday lights. The other is inside, in a decorated room. Graceland hasn’t said which room it is, so that part stays a surprise until you walk in.
Graceland’s own crew filmed the place getting ready for the season, and it’s fun to watch the staff turn the mansion into the backdrop these families will be standing in.
Watch Graceland’s staff decorate Elvis’s home for Christmas
So how many families actually get in? Very few.
Graceland’s booking page puts it plainly: “There are only 10 sessions a night, so book your spot early.”
Ten. For the whole night.
That’s why the first date went so quickly. The sessions were first set for Monday, Nov 23 and Tuesday, Nov 24. Then Graceland added a short note to its announcement: “Update: November 23 is sold out. A new date has been added on November 30.”
So right now the booking page lists two nights, Nov 24 and Nov 30, with sessions running from 6:00 to 8:30 PM. Once those 10 spots a night are taken, there won’t be any more.
Each session is quick. In Graceland’s words, “The whole session takes just 15 minutes.” You can bring up to 8 people, which covers most families, grandkids included. Guests need to arrive at least 15 minutes early so Graceland can take them up to the mansion for the photo.
The price is $200 per session. Full payment is due when you book, and it’s non-refundable, so check everyone’s calendar first.
What you get back is four edited photos, in both vertical and horizontal shapes, as high-resolution downloads. They’re free to save, share and print. Families from the Nov 24 night will get their pictures the week of Thanksgiving, and photos from Nov 30 arrive by Dec 4. That still leaves time to get cards in the mail.
Graceland also put together a short look at the home in its holiday best. It runs about 30 seconds, and it shows the lights and decorations that will be glowing behind these families.
See Graceland lit up and decorated for the holidays
Bookings are made on Graceland’s website at graceland.com/graceland-photo-session, under “Make a Reservation.”
For fans who’ve loved Elvis most of their lives, a Christmas card taken at his home would be one to keep. Just don’t wait too long to decide. One night has already filled up, and the other two only have 10 sessions each.