If you've ever waited in line at the mall to visit Santa with tired kids and wondered whether it was worth it, you'll be happy to know there's a better way! A Santa experience is a private, custom session that gives your child real one-on-one time with Santa in a beautifully designed setting, captured by a professional photographer, with no waiting, no rushing, and no strangers in the background. Here's exactly how it works and what your family can expect.
Edmond & Oklahoma City Santa Photographer
How is a Santa experience different from a mall santa?
A Santa Experience is a private one-on-one session, not a shared event with long lines and a Santa who has seen hundreds of kids before yours. You don't have to worry about waiting at a Santa Experience. Your session will start at the time you book. No stress for parents, just a memorable and magical experience for your children.
The set for a Santa Experience is custom designed to give your photos a beautiful and timeless Christmas backdrop. This experience is also directed and photographed by a professional portrait photographer. Often this is not the case at the mall and a staff member is simply operating a kiosk.
After your Santa Experience, you can expect a curated gallery of both posed and sweet candid moments. Typically, with mall photos, you only receive quick posed images. The experience itself is vastly different but so are the keepsake images you will receive after your session.
Edmond & Oklahoma City Santa Photographer
the Santa Experience when you book with me
When you book a Santa Experience with me, you'll be guided every step of the way. After selecting an available time slot and officially booking, you will receive a confirmation email confirming your spot is reserved. In your email, you will also receive a Santa Prep Guide and a curated Style Guide to help you shop your closet or links to shop online. You'll also receive beautifully designed templates for Santa Letters so that your child can write their letter and bring it along to use as sweet photo props.
After booking, you will also receive a pre-mini session questionnaire so I can learn more about your child and how I can enhance their experience with Santa. Are they a little timid? Is this their first time meeting Santa? Are they starting to doubt Santa? Do they need a little less stimulation? I want to know all of that so we can make this the best experience possible.
Last year and this year, I've been able to partner alongside a local charity, Make-A-Wish Oklahoma, who receives a donation for every Santa letter written and dropped off at a local Braum's. Braum's donates $1 per letter up to $100,000 so after all my Santa sessions, I drop off each child's letter. This provides a meaningful and charitable experience around the holidays, which is important to me!
The day of your Santa sessions, you'll be encouraged to arrive early. My assistant "Elf" will greet you a few minutes before your session starts. Then it's time to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. Your child may be so excited to greet Santa or they may be feeling a little shy. My Santa Claus is a pro and can read children's emotions very well. Santa and Mrs. Claus will gently ease your child into the experience if needed. They will also know a little about your children with the help of your completed questionnaire. Is your little one an artist? Love sports? Like to dance? Santa is so great at incorporating this information into conversation so your kids feel the magic of Santa!
At the end of your session, you'll leave with custom Christmas cookies and lots of smiles! It won't be long til all the beautiful photos hit your inbox. You'll have plenty of time to use these images for Christmas cards, decor and gifts! This is why Santa Mini Sessions typically take place early into the season.
Edmond & Oklahoma City Santa Photographer
Book your santa experience before the season fills up
A Santa experience is a private session designed to create a real moment of magic for a child, with a professional Santa, a custom set, and a photographer who is capturing every part of it. The families who book early are the ones who get the experience they want, while the ones who wait often find it sold out. Typically my Santa Minis are released in late July. If you're curious about Santa sessions, sign up below to receive priority booking before everyone else. If you happen to be reading this later in the season, visit my booking page to see if there are any Santa spots available! I would love to capture the magic of the holidays for you and your family!
Hi! I'm Katie
I am a wife and mother to two boys. When I am not taking photos of families, I am likely cheering on my boys at a sporting event. In addition to photography, I love music and traveling!
I worked in nonprofit for many years before venturing into photography full-time. During that time, I worked with both blind Oklahomans at NewView Oklahoma and children with critical illnesses at Make-A-Wish Oklahoma. My nonprofit experience has given me confidence working with children, of all ages and abilities which has proved to be useful in family photography.
I love capturing tender moments with a sweet newborn, the playfulness of a family session and the thrill and drama of an intense sporting event. As your Edmond + Oklahoma City Lifestyle Family, Newborn and Sports Photographer, I would love to help document all your important moments in life!
