important announcement
Hey Friends & Family,
For the past 13 years, we’ve had the joy of creating magical Christmas memories with our Santa. Many of those cherished moments are pictured in the samples below. This past year, our beloved friend—Santa Lloyd—passed away. His warm spirit and joyful presence will forever live on in the portraits and memories he helped us create.
After a long search (and with a whole lot of God’s guidance), we’ve found the next person to wear the magical coat and sash. And let me tell you—he’s incredible. Believe it or not, this is his very first time stepping into the role of Santa, yet he feels like a natural who was made for it.
This season, we’ll continue honoring Santa Lloyd’s legacy while also beginning a new chapter filled with laughter, love, and fresh memories with our new Santa. We can’t wait to welcome you back to the studio, introduce you to him, and capture another year of Christmas magic.
The Santa Experience 2025
Hello and welcome to our magical portrait event! Christmas is a special time that holds a place close to our hearts, filled with cherished family memories. At Matt & Shea Photography, our goal is to create portraits that capture your child’s innocence, sense of wonder, and your family’s joy during this festive season. Each session yields approximately 15-20 timeless images to choose from, along with a few more playful moments. All photos are professionally edited for blemish removal, runny nose cleanup, and skin smoothing. We also carefully adjust the colors and apply our custom color palette to complement the set design. When it’s time to choose your favorites, you’ll see each image in this special color version as well as in my signature black and white style, giving you and your family plenty of beautiful options to treasure.
Booking a session
This year, we have a total of six Saturdays with Santa—three in November and three in December. In the past, we’ve offered eight dates, so with fewer sessions available, it’s more important than ever to reserve your spot early.
Below you’ll find the available dates and times for both November and December. Once a session is booked, that time is immediately removed from the calendar. For this reason, session fees are non-refundable.
Don’t wait—secure your session today and make sure your family doesn’t miss out on these magical Christmas memories!
What your Session Fee Includes
20-30 minutes of studio time with Santa, he will be ready for them, they will read their list to him, and might even share a cookie or two, depending on how it goes.
15-20 images to choose from when selecting your package, images will include editing out blemishes, skin softening, custom color grading and all images will be presented in both our custom color and our signature black and white.
Free Crafts, while waiting for your child’s turn with Santa, we will have a variety of Christmas Crafts for them to enjoy and participate in. They can color a beautiful Christmas Picture of Rudolph and Santa, and make reindeer food to leave out the night of Christmas Eve. Write a letter to Santa for a hand delivery and even make a special Christmas Ornament that celebrates their time at Matt & Shea Photography.
Social Media Sample, every Santa Session will receive a social media sample that will be posted on our Instagram and/or Facebook
Access to amazing discounted products and services, including Christmas Cards, Christmas Legacy creations and canvases, Santa Albums, Ornaments, Digital Downloads, and so much more!!!
What should I expect from my session?
During your session, you can expect Santa to not only listen to your little one’s Christmas list, but also show them some key moments in the classic book, “The Night Before Christmas”, let them sit in Santa’s Chair, gift your child a bell from Santa’s sleigh, or maybe even sneak some of Santa’s cookies. Santa might even surprise all of us and give your little one an early Christmas gift. During the session, just relax and let your kiddo enjoy! There will be smiles, and possibly some tears, but one thing that you can count on is that Shea and I will take the time to capture your little one’s Christmas Memory and do everything in our power to make their Santa Experience a lasting magical memory.
Who can take part in this event???
That is a great question…. EVERYONE!!! I love it when Mom and Dad jump into the mix!!! Usually, Dad has both Santa and I cracking up!!! But on a more serious note, I have been doing this for over 20 years, and have offered Santa Sessions for 15 of those years. My specialty would have to be babies and toddlers. So if you had a rough experience somewhere else, ask anyone, come check me out. I have poses that can hide Santa in the background, and tricks to make your child’s smile go ear to ear. One thing you will hear at every session that I book, is sometimes I run over… and there is a small wait, and that’s because I am going to take the time to get to know your toddler and get your perfect shot. Whether it be bashing my head with a clipboard (a crowd favorite) or having Mr. Grinch scare the life out of me or Ms. Racheal sing a song… I will find a way to get them involved and have fun. We will stay the course to get the shot. I would do the same for each and every family that comes in front of my camera. These memories are too precious to forget. Now don’t get me wrong, a crying picture with Santa is super cute, but hopefully, they won’t melt down until the end.
Are Newborns able to participate in the Santa Experience?
ABSOFREAKINLUTLEY!!! I love photographing newborns with Santa, being a newborn photographer I know that babies don’t always fall asleep in the time that is allowed for the session, but even a newborn baby that is wide awake makes an amazing image when placed in Santa’s lap or on his shoulder.
sneak a toy and create a memory
Santa Experience Sessions will bring the magic of Christmas alive in your child’s eyes. Your family will enjoy a 20-30 minute session with the big guy in red himself, Mr. Santa Claus!!! We want the moment to be completely special for your little one, and we need your help. Sneak a toy in before your session and let Santa give it to them for being extra good this year.
****Due to the popularity of the event and the tightness of our schedule, session fees are non transferrable or refundable. Digital is not included with the session fee, the session fee covers the time and talent of my assistants, the set design and of course Santa. Please take a look at the at my product guide before booking. Sessions that need to reschedule do to ANY reason will result in the loss of the session fee.
Pricing and Product Guide
These prices do not represent other mini session pricing or normal session pricing; the price list is specially designed for the Santa Sessions. We've included above all the dates that are available for the Santa Saturday Sessions. You can select your time and then follow the instructions. My assistant will email you a confirmation of the booking and a session agreement. Just so you know, if you do ’t get a confirmation email for your purchase, your time is still available to others.
still have questions?
If you still have questions about this event, that is completely okay!!! Fill out the form below, or click the text or call button below and we will get back to you within 24 hours.