How to Prepare Your Kids for Pictures with Santa

I have a confession to make.

One of my favorite pictures with Santa isn’t a photograph I’ve taken for a client.

It’s a photo of my own daughter.

She’s literally sliding off Santa’s lap mid-scream.

And I LOVE it.

Because now that my kids are grown, I don’t look at that photograph and think, What a disaster. I wish she’d smiled.

I look at it and see her.

(I could show you the picture. But my daughter would kill me. I’m choosing her dignity) 😂

I remember exactly who she was at that age. And I’d give anything to go back and experience some of those Christmases with my little kids again, screaming Santa photo and all.

That’s probably the most important thing I can tell parents before they bring their children in for pictures with Santa:

Whatever your child does during those ten minutes is worth remembering.

If they’re scared, that’s okay.

If they refuse to get anywhere near Santa, that’s okay.

If they’re suspicious of him the entire time, that’s okay.

If your child will only wear cowboy boots with the beautiful Christmas outfit you bought, let them wear the cowboy boots.

And if they run into the studio and immediately start talking Santa’s ear off, we’ll photograph that too.

Your child doesn’t need to give us a perfect Santa performance.

They just need to be exactly who they are this Christmas.

The Best Pictures with Santa Aren’t Always the Ones Where Everyone Smiles

I think one of the biggest mistakes we can make before pictures with Santa is deciding ahead of time what a “good” photograph is supposed to look like.

Child on Santa’s lap.

Looking at camera.

Perfect smile.

Done.

But some of my favorite Santa photographs look nothing like that.

I’ve photographed kids standing as far away from Santa as humanly possible while still technically being in the picture.

I’ve photographed the wide eyes.

The suspicious looks.

The tears.

The kids who absolutely positively WILL NOT sit on Santa’s lap.

And I’ve had parents come in already knowing their child was probably going to cry and tell me:

GET THE CRYING PHOTO.

They want it.

Because they already understand something that can be hard to see when you’re in the thick of raising little kids.

This won’t last.

Your child isn’t going to be 25 years old screaming because Santa tried to hold them. 😂

Someday you’re going to look at that photograph and remember the Christmas when Santa was absolutely terrifying.

And every parent I’ve photographed who wanted that crying Santa picture has told me afterward that it became one of their favorites.

Why Do Kids Cry During Pictures with Santa?

Think about Santa from a little kid’s perspective for a minute.

We spend a lot of time teaching our children to be cautious around strangers.

Then one day in November or December, we introduce them to a very large stranger with a huge white beard, a bright red suit and a booming laugh and say:

GO SIT ON HIS LAP!

😂

It’s really not that surprising that some kids aren’t immediately on board.

And this is one place where I disagree with the idea that there’s a particular age that’s universally difficult for Santa photos.

I’ve had toddlers who were unbelievably easy.

I’ve had older kids completely clam up.

I’ve had siblings walk into the exact same room, meet the exact same Santa and have completely different reactions.

Every child is different.

That’s why I don’t think successful pictures with Santa come from figuring out some formula for making children cooperate.

They come from giving children enough room to experience Santa in their own way.

How Should You Prepare Your Child to Meet Santa?

I absolutely think it’s helpful to talk about Santa before your session, particularly if this is your child’s first time meeting him.

Your preparation can be really simple.

Read Christmas books.

Watch Christmas movies.

Talk about who Santa is and what he does.

If your family has visited us before, pull out your pictures with Santa from previous years. Remind your child about the kind Santa they met last Christmas and some of the things they did together.

And before your session with me, your child will receive something very special in the mail:

A letter from Santa himself.

That letter is just one part of my Old Town Tustin Santa Experience, which is designed to make the entire visit feel magical from beginning to end.

And it’s a wonderful way to start making Santa feel a little less like a stranger before they walk through my studio door.

But I don’t think you need to spend weeks training your child for this.

Follow their lead.

If they’re excited, let them be excited.

If they’re cautiously optimistic, that’s fine too.

If they tell you they’re scared, let them tell you they’re scared.

Ask questions instead of giving instructions.

Instead of:

“You’re going to sit on Santa’s lap and tell him what you want for Christmas!”

Try:

“Some kids like to sit on Santa’s lap so they can hear him better. Does that sound like something you’d be comfortable doing?”

And make sure they know the answer can be no.

They never have to do anything with Santa that makes them uncomfortable.

Please Don’t Make Your Child Smile for Santa

This may be my biggest piece of advice.

Don’t spend the session telling your child to smile.

Don’t tell them they’re not behaving.

Don’t let them think they’re disappointing you because they’re not giving you the Santa photograph you imagined.

Kids know.

I’ve watched children visibly shrink when they realize Mom is getting frustrated because things aren’t going the way she hoped.

Now they’re not only unsure about Santa.

They’re worried about disappointing Mom too.

That’s a lot for a little kid.

I am going to get beautiful photographs for you.

They may be funny.

They may be sweet.

They may be emotional.

They may be candid.

They may be perfectly posed.

Usually they’re a mixture of all of it.

If I can tell a child is starting to feel pressure, I’ll usually just keep encouraging them:

You’re doing great.

And sometimes I’ll give Santa a look.

He knows the look. 😂

That’s his cue to take the reins, soften everything and bring the focus back to simply connecting with the child.

Your job?

For ten minutes, let your child run the show.

Watch them.

Enjoy them.

Let me worry about the photographs.

What Is the Best Time of Day for Pictures with Santa?

The best time is the time that’s best for your child.

I don’t subscribe to the idea that every toddler needs a morning Santa appointment or that afternoon sessions are inherently more difficult. I haven’t seen that in my studio.

You know your child better than anyone.

Does missing nap time result in a complete meltdown?

Then don’t book over nap time.

Does your child wake up happiest in the morning?

Choose a morning appointment.

Do you have one of those magical little unicorn children who can skip a nap, eat lunch two hours late and remain perfectly pleasant?

Congratulations. The rest of us hate you. 😂

Choose whatever time works.

The goal is simply to bring your child rested and fed.

Meeting Santa is exciting. Starting that experience exhausted or starving just makes everything harder than it needs to be.

If you’re wondering how early you should reserve your Santa session, I also have a guide to when to book a Santa photoshoot in Orange County.

What Should Kids Wear for Pictures with Santa?

Please don’t make this harder than it needs to be either.

I love holiday clothes. I love Christmas colors. I love pajamas for Santa pictures.

And once my set design is complete each year, I send my families information about the colors and theme along with a wardrobe guide with lots of ideas.

But your child’s comfort matters more than creating the perfectly coordinated Christmas outfit.

If dressing everyone up matters to your family, absolutely do it.

If getting your toddler into clothing at all that morning feels like an accomplishment, I understand that too.

I’ve photographed a child who basically rolled out of bed with bedhead and Bluey pajamas.

And you know what?

We took the pictures.

It’s ten minutes. Most kids are far more interested in the giant man with the white beard than whether their waistband is slightly annoying.

Let kids be kids.

If you want a little more help planning everyone’s outfits, I put together a full guide to what to wear for Santa pictures, including color palettes, pajamas and easy ways to coordinate the whole family.

What Should You Bring for Pictures with Santa?

You really don’t need much.

A few things I recommend having with you:

• A familiar snack and water
• Baby wipes for faces and hands
• A brush or comb for last-minute hair fixes
• Your child’s letter or wish list for Santa if they’re bringing one
• A small comfort item if your child genuinely needs one
• A backup outfit for babies or toddlers if they’re particularly prone to drooling or eating on the go

One request from the woman responsible for cleaning the studio:

Please skip the brightly colored drinks. 😂

Otherwise, don’t pack for Santa like you’re leaving for a three-day trip.

We’ll be okay.

What If My Child Is Afraid of Santa?

Then they’re afraid of Santa.

We work with that.

We don’t try to convince them that their feelings are wrong.

When your child walks into my studio, Santa will be waiting for them. He already knows their name.

If they’re shy, he may turn toward the Christmas tree or occupy himself with something else rather than staring at them and waiting for them to approach.

If we know beforehand that a child is particularly nervous, we can even start with Santa behind the trees and let him slowly make his way over once the child feels comfortable.

Your child can stand.

They can keep their distance.

They can sit with Mom or Dad.

They can have a sibling beside them.

They do not have to sit on Santa’s lap.

And because my Santa is a special education teacher in real life, this kind of patience comes very naturally to him.

He isn’t trying to get through a queue of children.

He is paying attention to the child standing in front of him.

Sometimes the Crying Picture IS the Picture

I can’t write a guide to pictures with Santa without talking about crying photos because I genuinely love them.

Not prolonged distress.

Not making a child suffer for a photograph.

That’s very different.

I’m talking about that classic moment when a toddler looks at Santa and thinks:

Absolutely not.

I’ll photograph the tears.

I’ll photograph the expression.

I’ll photograph that tiny face looking completely betrayed by every adult in the room.

And then we’re done with that.

If a child is genuinely struggling, Mom or Dad comes in.

Hugs.

Snuggles.

Safety.

There is a fine line between giving a child a little time to work through uncertainty and just plain torturing them for a picture.

I’m not that photographer.

I will shorten a session before I’ll make a child miserable because we haven’t gotten some imaginary “perfect” photograph.

Their experience matters more.

And ironically, once we take that pressure away, that’s often when we get something wonderful.

The Suspicious Santa Phase Might Become Your Favorite Christmas Tradition

One of my favorite examples of this is a set of twins I’ve photographed for several years.

The first year they came to me, they were three.

The little boy was curious about Santa and interested in everything that was happening.

His sister?

She may have been the most suspicious child I’ve ever photographed. 😂

She stood as far away from Santa as she could possibly get while still technically being in the photographs.

And we let her.

Then they came back the next year.

She got a little closer.

And the next year?

Closer again.

We’ve accidentally created this amazing visual record of her relationship with Santa evolving every Christmas.

If my calculations are correct, she may actually end up on Santa’s lap this year.

Or at least next to him.

I’m not making any promises. 😂

And that’s exactly why I don’t want parents to dismiss those imperfect years.

They’re part of the story.

What Pictures with Santa Look Like at My Old Town Tustin Studio

The environment your child walks into can make a huge difference too. It’s one of the things I recommend considering when you’re deciding how to choose the right Santa photographer in Orange County.

My Santa sessions are private.

When it’s your family’s time, there isn’t another family in the studio waiting for you to finish.

Santa can talk with your child.

They can read together.

Talk about their Christmas wish list.

Investigate Santa’s special Nice List, which happens to be written in a language only Santa can read.

Play with his reindeer staff and make Rudolph’s nose glow.

Maybe try on Santa’s enormous coat.

And before they leave, they’ll receive a special keepsake gift directly from the North Pole.

I photograph what unfolds.

Yes, I’ll direct when I need to.

Yes, we’ll get family photographs if you’d like them.

And yes, pets are welcome too. They’re family, and they’re absolutely welcome to be part of the pictures.

But I don’t want to interrupt something magical because everyone isn’t looking at my camera.

Sometimes the photograph you didn’t plan is the one you’ll eventually love the most.

My Best Advice for Parents Before Pictures with Santa

If you remember only one thing from this entire guide, make it this:

Let your child be who they are.

For ten minutes, let them feel what they feel.

Let them do what they do.

Let them express what they express.

If they’re going to cry, let them cry.

If they’re going to stare at Santa like they’re conducting a background check, let them stare. 😂

If they’re going to climb right up beside him and tell him everything that’s happened since last Christmas, enjoy every second of it.

Your baby isn’t always going to be a baby who’s afraid of Santa.

The cowboy boots will eventually be outgrown.

The missing front teeth will come back.

They won’t always mispronounce Rudolph.

And someday they won’t believe quite the same way they do right now.

That’s what we’re photographing.

Not perfection.

Them.

And I promise you, ten years from now, you’re going to be so grateful you have it.

Book Pictures with Santa in Orange County

The Old Town Tustin Santa Experience takes place on the second Saturday of November each year.

For 2026, Santa will be at my studio on Saturday, November 14.

Public reservations open September 15, with early access for Legacy families and current Jennifer Imus Photography clients.

Until booking opens, join my Nice List to receive the reservation link when sessions are released.

If you’re planning your holiday season, you may also want to read When to Book a Santa Photoshoot in Orange County.

And if you’re wondering what makes our sessions different from a traditional Santa visit, read What Is a Santa Experience and How Does It Work?

Frequently Asked Questions About Pictures with Santa

How do I get my toddler to sit on Santa’s lap?

You may not, and that’s okay. Toddlers can stand near Santa, sit with a parent, interact from a comfortable distance or skip the lap entirely. The goal isn’t a particular pose. It’s documenting your child authentically.

What age is best for pictures with Santa?

There is no perfect age. I’ve had toddlers adore Santa and much older children become unexpectedly shy. Every child’s personality and experience is different, which is part of what makes documenting Santa year after year so much fun.

How do I prepare a shy child for pictures with Santa?

Talk casually about Santa beforehand, read books, watch Christmas movies and show them previous Santa photographs if you have them. Most importantly, reassure your child that they never have to sit with Santa or do anything that makes them uncomfortable.

Should I force my child to take pictures with Santa?

No. Forcing an already frightened child usually adds stress rather than creating a better photograph. We can photograph from a distance, bring Mom or Dad into the picture, or simply document the reaction they’re having.

What should kids wear for pictures with Santa?

Wear something your child feels comfortable in. Holiday outfits, Christmas colors and pajamas all photograph beautifully, but comfort matters more than creating a perfectly coordinated look. Families receive a wardrobe guide based on that year’s Santa set before their session.

Can parents be in pictures with Santa?

Absolutely. Parents are welcome in the photographs, and sometimes having Mom or Dad close is exactly what a nervous young child needs to feel safe enough to enjoy Santa.