Each session includes a private, 20-minute appointment with Santa, where we capture your child's authentic interactions and reactions, a special holiday treat and take-home craft. You will also get to select 1 (one) standard size photo from your gallery with an inconspicuous watermark in a lower corner. You'll have the opportunity to purchase a selection of high-quality, heirloom photos and gifts to cherish these special moments.

The Santa Experience is held at MJCollins Photography Studio at 6368 Elm Street • North Branch, MN

Yes, you can bring siblings/step siblings to the same session. Our private, 20-minute sessions are perfect for capturing the interactions between Santa and up to 4 children.

If you wish to bring more than 4 children, you must purchase a second time slot.  This way we can ensure that every child gets a personal 1 on 1 experience with Santa. This also helps us get each child acclimated to Santa and the environment, so we can bring out each child's unique personality and charms in every photo. If you wish to come with friends or cousins, a second slot will need to be purchased and we will make every attempt to have back-to-back slots.

Our private sessions provide a calm and friendly environment where children can take their time to get comfortable with Santa. We allow ample time for your child to warm up and feel relaxed before capturing those special moments.

Having a child development background, I recommend parents talk to their kids prior to seeing Santa often to keep them excited. Reading a book, watching a movie, sing Christmas songs, playing with a toy Santa, etc. Allow plenty of time (days) for your child to get used to the idea of seeing Santa and have them feel prepared to see the big guy in a white beard and red suit.

Our Santa is extremely gentle, quiet and calm. Children can feel his calming energy and react positively to him.

There are no guarantees that every child is ready to see and interact joyfully with Santa. We will capture what is present. If there is resistance, we do not force happiness on a child. At parent's request, we can do a "Drop and Run" and have fun images you can show off to their first date when they are teenagers. You might enjoy the crying photos with Santa once they are older. I know I do of my oldest ;-)

From the distance set by your child, Santa will still talk to them, read his story, sing songs and tell a few funny holiday jokes. Your child can still have the special holiday treat and craft and leave their letter for Santa.

After you book your session, we'll be sending out helpful emails and guides to help prepare you and your child for the session with Santa. These emails and guides contain tips about wardrobe and what to do when you arrive so not only do you as parents feel prepared (especially if this is your first time) but the session will move like clockwork making the whole experience magical and wonderful.

Absolutely! Feel free to bring any special props that you think will make the session more magical for your child. Our goal is to create a personalized and memorable experience. We just ask to let us know ahead of time so we know what to expect and Santa can be prepared.

Does Santa actually look like Santa?

Yes! The Santa you see in our photos is the same one I use and he is phenomenal. The buzz among our Santa families and children is that he is the REAL Santa! He gets all the credit for making this a truly magical experience.

What age do you recommend this experience for?

All ages are welcomed. Children reactions between the ages of 1-3 vary. Some were happy while others were cautious, afraid or uninterested. My recommendation is for parents to be ready and willing to jump in if their child isn’t fully comfortable with Santa on their own. Babies between 0-6 months typically do just fine, but between 7-12 months, stranger anxiety also varies from baby to baby.

The young at heart are invited to share in the magic too!

Yes, you are allowed to take unobtrusive video or photos. We cannot guarantee you will have an optimal angle, or I won't be in your way though! If you take video or photos, in return I humbly ask that you share it on social media and tag my studio please!

Yes, all photos purchased will be professionally edited with my signature look. You will receive beautifully crafted images that you can proudly display in your home.  

You can also take your favorite photos to the next level by arranging ahead of time for a magical photo op with Santa. (Add-on available for additional fee).

My child has allergies or diet restrictions, can I bring our own treat?

Yes, of course. When you book, please let me know and we can work together to find a different option for your child, or you can bring something that is safe for them to have.

Within a week after your session, my goal is to get you a gallery of photos to choose from. Typically, 8-10 photos are presented. You will receive a link to your gallery and the images will be watermarked in the center. While I know this isn't ideal and sometimes the automatic watermark goes over your child's face, this is the fastest way to present them to you while protecting the product from being screenshot and stolen.

We can schedule a time for you to come back to the studio or to engage in a video call so you can view the images without a watermark. After you have confirmed your selected image(s), they will be ready to download withing 24 hours. 

Make sure to save our email in your account so that our emails don’t go to your junk mail and you miss important information. Prints and extra digital files are available for an additional purchase. These will be purchased from this gallery.
 

We understand that life happens sometimes and so does childhood illness. If you need to reschedule, please contact us as soon as possible so we can see if we are able to assist. Due to the limited time nature of these sessions, reschedules will only be permitted on a case-by-case basis based on remaining availability. 

We need to keep Santa safe during the holidays, so if your child is ill the morning of or presents symptoms that include a fever 24 hours prior to your time, we ask that you keep your child home. 

Also due to the nature of this kind of special edition session, we cannot refund the session fee. You can however put the amount you paid towards a future session to be used within 6 months.