A humorous (but helpful) guide to getting great pictures with Santa

A humorous (but helpful) guide to getting great pictures with Santa

Photos with Santa are a Christmas tradition in many households including my own. Some years the pictures turn out great and sometimes they don’t. This post is an illustrated guide to getting the best photos with Santa you can every year. My friends and family have kindly supplied me with some photos to round out my own to both make you laugh and help you get better photos with Santa this year.

1. Prepare Your Kids Ahead of Time

Read your kids stories about Santa, show them movies with Santa (if you can find one with their favorite character, even better) and show your kids pictures of them or other family members with Santa to familiarize them.

A humorous (but helpful) guide to getting great pictures with Santa

Unless the photos looked like this

A humorous (but helpful) guide to getting great pictures with Santa

Or this

A humorous (but helpful) guide to getting great pictures with Santa

It can also be worthwhile to seek out a Santa that is more natural looking and inline with their expectations

This child is not buying this historical Santa

A humorous (but helpful) guide to getting great pictures with Santa

Umm…

2. Dress for the Occasion

Even if you’re going to get a free photo, consider what your kids are wearing.

A humorous (but helpful) guide to getting great pictures with Santa

Cute shirt but not for this photo

And don’t forget to consider what they are wearing on their feet.

A humorous (but helpful) guide to getting great pictures with Santa
A humorous (but helpful) guide to getting great pictures with Santa

This may be taking things a little too far

A humorous (but helpful) guide to getting great pictures with Santa

At the very least take off their coats!

You may also want to consider what you’re wearing that day… just in case.

Santa 13

If you look closely, you can see Santa at the back

3. Use a Partner

Especially if you are taking the photos yourself, bring someone with you so they can help you position and distract the kids to help keep them from freaking out.

A humorous (but helpful) guide to getting great pictures with Santa

Not even paying attention to who is behind her

A humorous (but helpful) guide to getting great pictures with Santa

Freaking out

4. Try Backing In

If you have a really little kid, try holding them facing you and backing them into Santa, keeping their attention on you. Then back away and quickly take the picture.

A humorous (but helpful) guide to getting great pictures with Santa

Sometimes this works

A humorous (but helpful) guide to getting great pictures with Santa

Sometimes not so much

5. Time it Right

Arrive a bit early so your kids can see Santa from a distance before it’s their turn. Make sure they are not tired or hungry. Bring a snack just in case. Weekday mornings and evenings are usually quieter time to visit. Whatever you do, don’t go when your child would normally be napping.

A humorous (but helpful) guide to getting great pictures with Santa

Not the best time

A humorous (but helpful) guide to getting great pictures with Santa

Although sometimes that can turn out pretty cute

6. Give Them Some Moral Support

Having a friend, sibling or even a favorite toy may be all your kid needs to feel comfortable and stay focused.

A humorous (but helpful) guide to getting great pictures with Santa

Worked like a charm

A humorous (but helpful) guide to getting great pictures with Santa

But sometimes it doesn’t help at all

7. Be Flexible

You may be able to get a better picture by not trying to force a smile.

A humorous (but helpful) guide to getting great pictures with Santa

That is a pretty cute pout.

A humorous (but helpful) guide to getting great pictures with Santa

He looks cutely unsure in this picture instead of full on bawling

You may also want to consider letting your kids stand beside Santa instead of on his lap.

A humorous (but helpful) guide to getting great pictures with Santa

Santa may be holding him back, but they are all in the picture

8. Make use of Some Photography Tips

If you are taking the photo yourself, try setting the white balance to match the lighting (florescent or incandescent bulbs). Or you can adjust that on your computer afterwards.

Santa may be holding him back, but they are all in the picture.

Was 1982 really this yellow?

If the room isn’t very bright, bump up the ISO and hold the camera steady (hold it close to your body, try to kneel or set the camera on something to use as a makeshift tripod). Also double check that your camera is focusing on your child instead of the background.

Was 1982 really this yellow?

That tree looks great!

Was 1982 really this yellow?

Holding your camera straight can also be a good strategy

Position yourself so you can see your child’s face even if they are not looking directly at you.

Was 1982 really this yellow?

Candid shots often show your child at their best

A humorous (but helpful) guide to getting great pictures with Santa

Sometimes you can get a lovely shot even if you can’t see their face

Don’t forget to take multiple pictures.

A humorous (but helpful) guide to getting great pictures with Santa

So this is not the only one you end up with

9. Try Again

If your child is hesitant to see Santa the first time, don’t be afraid to go back (again) later in the day or on another day all together.

A humorous (but helpful) guide to getting great pictures with Santa

The first try

A humorous (but helpful) guide to getting great pictures with Santa

Again after lunch

A humorous (but helpful) guide to getting great pictures with Santa

The first day

A humorous (but helpful) guide to getting great pictures with Santa

Okay, it doesn’t always work

10. If All Else Fails…

You can always take a family photo near Santa instead. Most malls have a Christmas display that would make a great backdrop.

A humorous (but helpful) guide to getting great pictures with Santa

This was the best ‘Santa’ photo this family had ever taken

A humorous (but helpful) guide to getting great pictures with Santa

 You can even use your tree at home

Or you could just take a picture of Santa!

A humorous (but helpful) guide to getting great pictures with Santa

Even if Santa seems a bit confused

11. Laugh it Off

Sometimes, even if you end up with a picture that wasn’t what you wanted, it can still end up being a treasured part of your family history.

A humorous (but helpful) guide to getting great pictures with Santa

There are so many things ‘wrong’ with this photo but I love it

A humorous (but helpful) guide to getting great pictures with Santa

That year’s Christmas card

As funny as some of these photos are, I hope this post helps your family get great photos with Santa this year. And if your pictures don’t go as planned you can always send them to me for next year’s post.

Have a Merry Christmas!

All Photos used with permission

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