Due to COVID, I wasn’t sure if Santa photos were going to happen or not. Santa photos in Darien, CT is something my clients and I look forward to every year. It’s become a KWP signature event over the last 3 years. And this year, more than ever, I felt like I needed to make it happen for my clients.
In years past I have hosted Santa sessions in my studio in Darien. But due to Covid, we needed outdoor space, and this year they were held at the Darien Community Center’s historic Meadowloads home. The Darien Community Center is a non-profit organization in my community in Farfield County. Their primary income is as an event space, and they have been struggling due to COVID and event cancellations. I was so happy to be able to support another non-profit this year with Santa sessions.
To be totally honest, I had never been more nervous about Santa session sign-ups. I wasn’t sure if offering Santa sessions this year was the right thing to do or not. I wasn’t sure if anyone would book…or be comfortable. Yet….at the same time, I felt like everyone needed the extra cheer this year.
To start, I only offered 20 Santa sessions. Within two minutes…yes just TWO MINUTES, they sold out. I opened a second day with 20 more time slots…and when those were gone I scrambled and added a third day. Minutes later, 60 families had signed up for Santa photos at the Darien Community Center.
It’s not about the number of sessions. It’s not even about the photos with Santa. It’s about the experience. It’s about the tradition for your children and the joy it brings your family. There was no standing in lines or seeing Santa over facetime – just pure joy, something “normal” for your children in the midst of a year that has been anything but normal.
But that didn’t come without a lot of precautions from our amazing Santa. He came early to get a couple of photos without a mask so that I could photoshop 1-2 photos for families (example below!). We also limited the sessions to the same weekend so that any outside exposure Santa may would encounter would be minimized.
Although Santa may have looked a little different with his mask and the location was different this year, the experience was the same. Each of the kids got to spend quality time with Santa. Sessions last 10-15 minutes. We start with a portrait of just the kids before Santa arrives so we almost always have at least one smiling photo for the ones who are a tad afraid. Then Santa comes in and they have time to chat, read a book, share their wish lit, and put an ornament on the tree. It really was 3 days filled with magic and a wonderful start to the holiday season!
I know….you’re ready to see the photos! Be sure to check back for part 2 on Thursday. I’ll be answering some FAQ’s and sharing how you can have early access to Santa Photos in 2021! And of course, more Santa photos too!
Kristin Wood Photography, LLC specializes in Newborn, Maternity and Family Photography serving Fairfield County and surrounding areas including Greenwich, Westport, New Canaan, Ridgefield, Stamford, Fairfield, New Haven, Manhattan, and Westchester County. If you are interested in booking a session, please contact me here.
I would love to begin planning a portrait session for you. Whether you want an outdoor beach or field setting or a cozy in-studio or in-home setting, we will design the perfect session to suit your family. I provide a luxury photography experience with a full client closet, personalized wardrobe styling, hair and makeup artists, and custom album and wall art designs for your home.
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