What Is a Santa Experience and How Does It Work?

I don’t do anything ordinary.

That’s pretty much how I’ve approached my photography business from the beginning, so when my clients with young children started asking me if I offered holiday and Santa sessions, I knew I didn’t want to throw up a Christmas backdrop, hire someone in a Santa suit and move families through as quickly as possible.

That’s just not me.

I wanted to create an actual Santa Experience. Something that felt magical for the kids, easy for their parents, and filled with special little touches they weren’t going to get everywhere else.

Because when your children are little, you’re constantly trying to create that Christmas magic for them. And every once in a while, if you’re lucky, you get to step into it with them.

That’s what I wanted this to be.

So what exactly is a Santa Experience, and how is it different from taking your kids to see Santa at the mall?

Let me show you.

How Is a Santa Experience Different from Mall Santa Photos?

First, I have nothing against mall Santas.

We live in Orange County. We have some beautiful, upscale malls that actually do a pretty good job creating lovely Santa setups.

But I’ve heard the same things from parents over and over again.

They waited in line for an hour. It was loud. There were people everywhere. Their child finally got to Santa and everything felt rushed. Santa was nice, but understandably distracted because there was another family waiting right behind them.

Several of my families have told me that once they started coming to my Santa Experience, they stopped doing mall Santa altogether.

The biggest difference is privacy.

When it’s your family’s turn, the studio belongs to you.

There isn’t another family standing six feet away watching. There isn’t a line of children waiting for you to finish. Your child isn’t having an interaction with Santa on a stage while a room full of strangers watches.

It’s their time with him.

And I’m photographing what happens rather than trying to rush everyone through a checklist of poses before the next family steps up.

That’s what I mean when I call it an experience rather than simply Santa photos.

What Happens During a Santa Experience?

When you arrive at my Old Town Tustin studio, you’ll check in about 10–15 minutes before your scheduled time. While you wait outside, the kids can have a snack and color holiday pictures until Santa is ready for them.

Then we’ll come get you.

When the door opens, Santa is right there waiting for your child. And he already knows their name.

What happens next depends entirely on the child walking through that door.

Some kids practically run to him.

Others stop.

Some stare at him suspiciously.

And some decide immediately that absolutely NONE of this was their idea. 😂

That’s okay.

If a child is shy, Santa may turn his attention to the Christmas tree or start doing something else so they don’t feel as though an entire room of adults is waiting for them to approach him.

They can take their time.

If we know ahead of time that a child is particularly nervous, we can even start with Santa tucked behind the trees. The child gets a chance to explore the space and become comfortable before Santa gradually makes his way over.

And if your child is crying or simply wants Mom or Dad? You come in.

There is no rule that says a successful Santa Experience requires a smiling child sitting perfectly on Santa’s lap.

Once they’re comfortable, Santa takes it from there.

They might talk about their wish list. Read together. Play. Imagine. Laugh. Investigate one of Santa’s special treasures.

Sometimes Santa has a very important conversation with a child about something I know absolutely nothing about.

I photograph all of it.

 

What Makes Our Santa So Different?

This is probably the part of my Santa Experience I’m most particular about.

When I was searching for Santa, I interviewed dozens of them.

I wanted someone authentic. And yes, that meant a real beard. 😂

But looking like Santa wasn’t enough.

I wanted someone funny, calm and extraordinarily patient. Someone who genuinely enjoyed children and treated them with kindness and respect.

And it was incredibly important to me to find someone who could connect with all kinds of kids, including neurodivergent children.

That part is personal for me.

I have ADHD, as do two of my children, and I know firsthand what it feels like when the way you experience or respond to the world isn’t always understood.

Some kids get really excited. Some get loud. Some need more time. Some communicate differently. Some don’t want to make eye contact or sit where someone tells them to sit.

I didn’t want any child walking into my studio and feeling like they needed to behave a certain way for Santa.

And then I found him.

My Santa is a real-life special education teacher.

And he is extraordinarily gifted with children.

I give him a heads-up when a parent tells me their child may need some extra time or understanding, but the truth is, he doesn’t need to become a different Santa for those kids.

He just does what comes naturally to him.

I’ll never forget watching him with an autistic teenager who came into the studio wearing headphones and was understandably hesitant about the whole thing.

The teen had a funny little saying he kept repeating.

So Santa started saying it too.

And eventually this kid started laughing.

It was the BEST moment.

That’s my Santa.

And universally, when families tell me what they loved about their experience, they talk about him.

How patient he was.

How kind he was.

How real he seemed.

How much their kids loved him.

And how their children continued talking about him long after Christmas was over.

When I say I think I have the best Santa in Orange County, I mean it.

Santa himself is actually one of the things I think families should consider when choosing a photographer. I talk more about that in my guide to how to choose the right Santa photographer in Orange County.

The Santa Set Is Part of the Experience Too

I don’t use printed or hanging backdrops designed to look like a Christmas room.

Instead, I create an actual environment.

My Santa set is designed to feel like you’ve walked into a cozy, festive living space with a couch, Christmas trees, a fireplace, a large window and layers of holiday decor.

I design it myself and source every piece.

The colors and details evolve from year to year, but the overall feeling stays fairly consistent. It’s warm, dimensional and real.

And interestingly, parents notice.

I’ve had families specifically tell me that one of the reasons they return every year is because the set doesn’t look like a manufactured backdrop.

That matters to me because the environment isn’t just decoration. It’s part of the photographs we’re creating.

Your children aren’t pretending to sit in Santa’s living room in front of a picture of one.

For a few minutes, it actually feels like they are.

Before the event, I send families information about that year’s set along with a wardrobe guide so you’ll have plenty of ideas for clothing that photographs beautifully in the space.

The Little Details Kids Remember

Some of my favorite parts of the Santa Experience are actually the smallest ones.

Before the event, your child receives a letter from Santa in the mail.

Parents have posted those letters on social media because their kids were so excited to receive something addressed specifically to them from Santa before they’d even met him.

Then there are the things waiting inside the studio.

Santa has a special book.

He has a scroll containing the names of children on the Nice List, written in a special language that, conveniently, only Santa can read.

There’s a large wooden reindeer staff with a button children can push to make Rudolph’s nose glow.

Sometimes he’ll let a child try on his enormous Santa coat.

And every child leaves with a special keepsake gift directly from the North Pole. That gift changes every year. We’ve had North Pole coins, bells and other little treasures that become part of the memory.

None of those things are there because I needed more props for photographs.

They’re there because kids remember them.

I’ve had parents tell me their children talk about our Santa throughout the year and remember specific things he said to them during their visit.

That’s the part that makes my day.

Because it means this became something bigger to them than having their picture taken.

Can Santa Give My Child a Special Christmas Gift?

For my Legacy Santa families, yes.

Legacy families have an extended 20-minute experience, which gives us enough time to personalize the session even more.

If you’re a Legacy client and would like Santa to present a special Christmas gift you’ve chosen for your child, I’ll arrange a private drop-off with you before the event so we can have everything waiting for Santa without your child seeing it.

Then Santa gets to do the honors.

I’ve photographed children tearing into presents from Santa and kids standing on my couch in the middle of all the excitement.

Those aren’t exactly the moments you can manufacture by telling a child to look at the camera and smile.

And that’s why I love them.

Gift delivery is reserved for Legacy sessions because we have the extra time to let the moment actually unfold, and I can personally coordinate the gifts for those families ahead of time.

What Photos Do You Actually Get From a Santa Experience?

I’m a portrait photographer first.

All of the details matter to me, but ultimately, my job is to preserve what happened.

So while Santa is talking, reading, laughing, listening to wish lists and playing with your children, I’m photographing it.

I will direct when I need to, and of course we’ll make sure we get the photographs parents are hoping for.

But some of my favorite images happen in between.

The suspicious look.

The belly laugh.

The way your child studies Santa’s face.

The moment they realize Santa knows their name.

A tiny hand inside Santa’s enormous one.

And yes, sometimes the crying photo.

Parents often end up loving those too because it’s exactly who their child was that Christmas.

Many families use their Santa photographs for Christmas cards. Others turn them into prints, gifts for grandparents and keepsakes. I offer a full collection of professional print products and Christmas cards through the studio as well.

But more than anything, these photographs become a record of your child’s Christmases.

And that gets more valuable every year.

What Does a Santa Experience at Jennifer Imus Photography Include?

There are three ways to experience Santa at my Old Town Tustin studio.

The Classic Santa Experience

Classic includes a 10-minute private Santa Experience with five beautifully edited digital images.

Your child receives a personalized letter from Santa before the session and a special gift during their visit.

Families are welcome to step into the photographs too.

And yes, pets are welcome too! If your dog is part of your family’s Christmas tradition, they’re welcome to be part of the Santa Experience.

Afterward, additional images may be purchased individually, or you can upgrade to the complete gallery.

The Deluxe Santa Experience

Deluxe includes the same private 10-minute experience, letter from Santa and special gift, but your complete gallery of beautifully edited digital images is already included.

This is a great option for families who know they’re going to want the whole story rather than choosing five favorites afterward.

The Legacy Santa Experience

I offer only two Legacy Experiences each year.

These are extended 20-minute private sessions with Santa and include the complete gallery of 20+ images, a highlight video, milk and cookies with Santa, personalized letter, keepsake gift, an 8×10 matted fine art print and priority editing.

The additional time also allows us to personalize the experience for your family, including having Santa present a special gift you’ve secretly provided.

Legacy families also receive first access to the following year’s Santa calendar.

Is a Santa Experience Good for Shy, Autistic or Neurodivergent Children?

It absolutely can be.

No child is ever expected to perform in my studio.

Your child doesn’t have to sit on Santa’s lap. They don’t have to smile. They don’t have to talk to him immediately. They don’t even have to get particularly close to him.

We meet them where they are.

Parents are always welcome to tell me beforehand if there’s anything that will help their child feel more comfortable. I share that information with Santa so we’re prepared before your family walks through the door.

But one of the things I love most about our Santa is that patience and acceptance aren’t accommodations he turns on when a particular child arrives.

They’re simply who he is.

I tend to photograph autistic children every Santa season, and I think that’s one of the reasons families seek us out.

They know their child will be welcomed exactly as they are.

If you’re wondering what you can do before your visit, I’ve also put together a guide on how to prepare your kids for pictures with Santa without creating extra pressure around the experience.

Why I Keep Creating This Santa Experience

I’m proud of the photographs we create.

I’m proud of the set.

I’m proud of all the little details I’ve added over the years.

But what I’m most proud of is that these kids get to have a remarkable Santa Experience they remember long after they leave my studio.

Some of my families return every single year.

I’ve watched children go from crying, to cautiously standing across the room from Santa, to eventually sitting beside him telling stories.

And then suddenly they’re not so little anymore.

That’s the part I understand differently now that my own kids are grown.

Imagine bringing your three-year-old to see Santa this year.

Ten years from now, that child will be thirteen.

When Mom looks at these photographs, I want her to remember the magic and wonder her three-year-old felt in that room.

I want her to see it on that little face.

And maybe she’ll feel that familiar tug at her heartstrings, wishing so badly that she could go back for just a minute and experience that moment again.

When her baby was completely immersed in something magical.

And for a little while, she got to feel it right along with them.

That’s what I want to preserve.

That’s the Santa Experience.

Book the Old Town Tustin Santa Experience

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

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

Past Legacy families receive priority booking on September 10, current Jennifer Imus Photography clients receive early access September 11, and public reservations open September 15.

If you’re new here, join my Nice List and I’ll send the booking link directly to your inbox when public reservations open.

If you’re wondering when you should actually reserve your appointment, I’ve also written a complete guide to When to Book a Santa Photoshoot in Orange County.

And if this is your first Santa session with young children, read my 5 Tips for the Best Christmas Mini Session Photos before you come.

Frequently Asked Questions About a Santa Experience

How long is a Santa Experience session?

Classic and Deluxe Santa Experiences are 10 minutes. Legacy Experiences are 20 minutes. Because the session is private and Santa follows your child’s lead, we can create a surprising amount of interaction and variety in that time without making young children stay engaged longer than they’re comfortable.

How much does a Santa Experience cost?

The Classic Santa Experience begins at $350 + tax and includes five beautifully edited digital images. Deluxe includes the complete digital gallery, and the extended Santa Legacy Experience is $995 + tax.

What is included in a Santa Experience?

Every experience includes private time with Santa, professional photography, a personalized letter before the event and a special gift from Santa. Additional inclusions depend on whether you choose Classic, Deluxe or the extended Legacy Experience.

How do I book a Santa Experience?

Booking opens each September for the November event. Legacy families and current photography clients receive priority access before reservations open publicly. New families can join the Nice List to receive the public booking link.

What age is best for a Santa Experience?

There really isn’t a perfect age. Babies, toddlers, older children and teens can all have wonderful Santa Experiences. The interaction simply changes as children grow, which is part of what makes photographing the tradition year after year so special.

How is a Santa Experience different from mall Santa photos?

A Santa Experience is private and unhurried, with an experienced professional Santa, a custom-designed physical set and a professional portrait photographer documenting the interaction. There are no crowds watching your child and no line of families waiting immediately behind you.