You might think that all there is to having your picture taken with Santa is to show up and wait for somebody to yell, "Reindeer!"
Well, you're close. We really strive to make it as easy as possible for you on that big day. One way or another, we'll make sure you have the best possible experience when you come to visit.
We'd like to recommend a few things to help you be ready for your pictures. Over the years, and through the course of more photos than you can imagine, certain things have become very clear to Santa. And because we want this to be an event you tell all of your friends about, we're going to share our secrets with you. Well... all but the one about how Santa gets to all those houses in 24 hours.
1. Don't overbuild expectations. Remember when you were a little one and somebody wound you up like a spring and turned you loose? That's right - you felt all icky in the tummy, you were nervous and you were scared. That's no fun for anyone. Just getting dressed up and heading to a special event is anxious enough when you're five. Prepare for this day in a low-key manner. Just let everyone know they'll be meeting up with an old friend and that it should be fun. If you are calm and collected, the child will be as well. And instead of that tearful face your mom teases you about in your 1972 Santa photo, you will hopefully come away with a smiling child and a nice memory.
2. Pastels are your friend. Photography is particularly revealing of color differences. Bright whites and dark colors (such as black) don't look all that wonderful on the final product, and sometimes add to funny skin tones by contrast. If you have a nice pastel colored outfit, it's always a better bet for great photos. True, Santa is big into red and white and black, but he's got special powers for pulling it off on camera.
3. If your child has special needs, just let Santa and his elves know before they come up for their picture. If you need to bring a wheelchair or other support device in to take the picture, we'll do our very best to make it a non-issue for you and the child. It might take a few minutes, and we may ask you to go first or last, but that's only because we have to move furniture, cables and lights and want it to be safe and smooth for everyone.
4. Bring some wet wipes for your little one. Santa appreciates it more than you can imagine if you bring a squeaky clean little munchkin up for the picture, as sticky fingers and faces are hard on Santa's play clothes. If we have treats or cookie decorating at your event, we request that you save those marvelously fun activities for after the picture.
5. Every person who has their picture taken with Santa must have a signed release. Why? It's really simple: we need to make sure you understand that we're taking your picture and that other people might see it during processing or after you've got your copies. And, we use that form with all your information, to make sure you get your pictures mailed to the right address. Consequently, penmanship does count!
We will NEVER print a child's photo with their name associated, but we do like to take an occasional beautiful picture and feature it on our website or in a brochure or poster. Santa guards his children very zealously, but he's right up front that he wants to share those pictures with the world. If you are vehemently opposed to our sharing the photographs, we can accommodate you, but we still need a photo release form signed for our records.
6. Sometimes your child will have a bad reaction to the excitement of the day. When that happens, please remember that it is very common, and your child is not the first to think that Santa is a menace to society (Take Mrs. Claus's mother, just as an example...) When the tears won't stop, or somebody has an accident, it's a good time to just have a cookie or two and move on to the rest of your day. While Santa loves to meet new children, not every child wants to meet Santa. And that's just the way the ornament bounces.
7. If your child is unsure whether or not to let fly with the tears, may we recommend "Mom Insulation" and "Dad Insulation" as solutions? This is a very simple method where Santa sits quietly and either Mom or Dad sit's on Santa's knee with the child on their knee. That way they are "removed" from Santa, feel safe and you get a nice picture. Santa has taken lots of these pictures over the years, and they are very cute. (And, trust me, Santa's knee can take you just as well as the little one's. He's pretty strong from lugging toys down chimneys.)
8. While we understand that you would like to "just take a snapshot" of your child with Santa, we ask that you do not use your own camera. Individual flashes, ultrasonic pulses for range finding and other electronic issues interfere with our lighting and cameras, and may result in a degraded picture for your child, or a malfunction that interferes with our ability to continue. We promise to take a nice picture (we take 3 photos of each child and choose the best) and you can be assured we do a good job. And, please remember: it is our job, and our business.
9. We ask that you stay behind the stanchions while we work with your child. This allows us to gain their attention and make sure we get the best picture possible. Our photographers are aces at making sure we get a good shot and if the child is watching you and your family, they won't be looking where we need them to look to get a great moment in time on paper.
10. Rules! Rules! Rules! Remember to have some fun. We're going to preserve a special moment for you and make some new friends. We know you'll be pleased with what we do, and make it the best Santa photo you'll ever see. Our goal is a happy child and a great picture. We will meet that goal.
My Word Of Honor,
Santa Joe