From Nervous to Smiling With Santa
Not every child walks into a Santa experience ready to jump right in, and that is completely okay. Sometimes the magic takes a little time.
When Laila arrived, she was nervous. Santa felt big, the room was new, and she needed a little space before she was ready to join in. That is one of the reasons I love having Mrs. Claus be such an important part of the Santa Portrait Experience. She gives children another warm, welcoming place to begin.
Laila was able to spend a little time at the cookie station, stay busy with something fun, and ease into everything happening around her without feeling like she had to immediately sit with Santa. Little by little, that nervousness started to shift. There were smiles, curiosity, and eventually, fun.
By the end of her visit, Laila was enjoying time with Santa in a way that felt completely different from those first few minutes. That change is one of my favorite parts of photographing children, because I am never looking for every child to react to Santa the same way.
Some children run right in. Some need to watch for a while. Some feel more comfortable with Mrs. Claus first, and some simply need a little time to realize that this is a place where they can play, explore, talk, and enjoy the experience at their own pace.
Mrs. Claus Helps Make the Magic Happen
Mrs. Claus brings such a warm and welcoming part of the experience. For children who are a little unsure, having another friendly face can make such a difference.
A stop at the cookie station gives them something simple and familiar to focus on while they settle in. One of the things I love about our Santa experience is that children do not have to walk in ready to sit beside Santa and smile. Mrs. Claus, the cookie station, Santa’s workshop, and the flow of the experience give them other ways to participate while I continue photographing.
For a child who needs a little more time, those few minutes can make all the difference.
And while everything is unfolding, I am photographing the story as it happens. The nervous expression at the beginning, the first little smile, the moment they start to relax, and then the expressions that appear once they realize they are actually having fun.
Those are often the photographs that tell the whole story.
More Than a Santa Portrait
A Santa portrait does not have to begin with a child who is completely comfortable. Sometimes the most meaningful part is watching them get there.
Laila’s experience is such a good example of why we do not rush these moments or expect every child to respond the same way. With a little help from Mrs. Claus, some time to settle in, and the freedom to experience Santa in her own way, she went from nervous to smiling and having fun.
That is exactly the kind of Christmas story I love getting to photograph.
Santa Portraits in Franklin, Tennessee
The Santa Portrait Experience at Misty Westebbe Photography in Franklin, Tennessee is designed around interaction rather than one quick posed photograph.
Children spend time with Santa and Mrs. Claus, visit Santa’s workshop and cookie station, and are photographed throughout the experience. Parents and family members are welcome to participate too.
Every child gets to experience the magic in their own way, and that is part of what makes each Santa session feel so personal.
