I know it’s still warm, but fall is coming. Christmas is just around the corner so it’s a great time to plan. I thought I’d offer a few tips for you next Santa Claus photography session. Before you go consider some of the following suggestions:

1. Don’t force your children into Santa’s lap. That just makes things worse and it scares the children. I don’t mind it when a baby cries because it is unhappy, but I don’t like it when a child is scared.
2. This goes along with number one, give the child time to get used to Santa. One of the things we have taught our Santa to do is sit in his chair asleep. That helps by not scaring them with a big, “HO HO HO” as they come in the door. The children can approach him at their own pace when they go to wake him up.
3. Have the children write a letter to Santa ahead of time. He loves to read them, and they will enjoy doing it. It will help the kids to prepare to meet Santa.
4. Find a location that doesn’t rush you. One of the benefits of having a 50 minute session is we have time to adapt to children having a tough time with Santa. I had a 6 or 7 month old baby who cried the entire session. She had two older sisters somewhere around 6 to 8 years old. There was no way she was going on Santa’s lap! Mom and grandma decided to step outside of the studio so they wouldn’t distract the baby. The baby wouldn’t go on her oldest sister’s lap either. In fact, the only person in the studio (Santa, her two sisters, my helper and me) that she would go to was me! I’d walk her around and wipe her nose then set her back down on her sister’s lap. She would go right back to crying. But I soon realized ever so often her cry would turn into a whimper and she would look up at Santa. Bang! I had my picture. The session was a success.
5. While it is our policy never to ask a parent to leave, even for being a distraction to a baby, it has been a useful tool when parents decide to do it themselves. That is why you should engage a trust worthy studio. Santa and I are never alone with the children. There is always a female “elf/assistant” there when parents are absent. We are hoping to have a closed circuit television system in at some point so that even absent parents can enjoy the fun.
6. Above all – have a happy Santa session and a very Merry Christmas!

 All three of the portraits you see below are from our "crying baby session".

If you would like more information about our Storybook Santa Sessions click here.