What Happens During a Private Santa Session in Glendale?
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at a Personalized Santa Experience in Los Angeles
If you've never booked a private Santa session before, you may be wondering what actually happens.
Do children simply sit on Santa's lap for a few minutes?
Do you rush through a handful of poses?
Or is it something more?
Every Santa photographer designs their sessions differently, but in our studio, the goal isn't simply to create beautiful Christmas portraits.
It's to create a Christmas memory your family will remember long after the decorations are packed away.
Instead of posing for photographs, children spend time sharing an experience with Santa—and the photographs naturally happen along the way.
he best Santa photos begin before your family arrives. A little preparation can help toddlers feel more relaxed, reduce stranger anxiety, and make the entire experience more enjoyable for everyone.
Continue Reading: How to Prepare Your Toddler for Santa
It Begins With a Personal Greeting
Every child experiences Santa differently.
Some children run straight to him.
Others prefer to watch from a distance for a few moments.
That's perfectly okay.
Santa greets each child by name and lets them decide how quickly they'd like to begin.
There is never pressure to smile or sit on Santa's lap immediately.
Those first few moments help build trust and set the tone for the entire visit.
Every Session Is Different
One of the things parents often tell us they love most is that no two visits are exactly alike.
Rather than following a rigid script, Santa chooses activities based on your child's age, personality, and interests.
That means your gallery tells your family's story, not the same story every family receives.
Not all Santa experiences are the same. Learn what affects pricing, what's typically included, and how to compare Santa photo sessions based on value instead of price alone.
Continue Reading: How Much Should Santa Photos Cost?
Story Time With Santa
Reading together is often one of the quietest moments of the visit.
Children cuddle beside Santa while he shares a Christmas story.
These moments create genuine expressions that simply can't be posed.
Writing a Christmas Wish List
Santa listens carefully as children tell him what they're hoping for this Christmas.
Sometimes he writes every wish into his special notebook.
Sometimes children help.
The conversation often becomes one of the family's favorite memories because it captures exactly who their child was at that age.
Checking the Nice List
One of the most exciting moments is discovering whether your child's name appears on Santa's Nice List.
Children search carefully while Santa helps them look.
Finding their own name often brings surprise, excitement, and huge smiles.
Helping Santa Prepare for Christmas
Children love feeling like Santa's helper.
Depending on the session, they might:
Help pack Santa's toy bag
Peek inside the magic sack
Organize toys
Help prepare gifts for Christmas Eve
These moments encourage natural curiosity and playful interaction.
Secret Handshakes and Silly Moments
Not every photograph needs to be serious.
Some children invent a secret handshake with Santa.
Others make funny faces together.
These playful interactions often produce the biggest laughs—and they're usually the images parents remember most.
Sharing Christmas Cookies
A quiet cookie break gives children another chance to relax.
Talking, laughing, and enjoying a Christmas treat together creates warm, authentic photographs that feel like real family memories rather than posed portraits.
Santa's Magical Globe
One of the favorite activities is exploring Santa's magical globe.
Children love imagining where Santa will travel on Christmas Eve, and it naturally leads to wonder-filled expressions that are impossible to fake.
A Special Gift From Santa
Some families choose to bring a wrapped gift for Santa to present during the session.
Watching children realize Santa has a present just for them creates genuine excitement and unforgettable photographs.
Because the gift comes from the family, parents can choose something meaningful while preserving the magic of the moment.
Every Moment Becomes Part of Your Family's Story
As a photographer, I'm photographing continuously throughout the visit—not just during a few posed portraits.
That means your gallery includes the beginning, middle, and end of your family's visit with Santa.
The greeting.
The conversations.
The laughter.
The quiet moments.
The excitement.
Those images work beautifully as individual portraits, but together they tell the complete story of your child's visit.
Many families choose to preserve that story in an heirloom album that can be enjoyed year after year as part of their Christmas tradition.
Saying "Until Next Year"
Every wonderful story has an ending.
As the visit comes to a close, Santa says goodbye and wishes your family a Merry Christmas.
Children leave with smiles, excitement, and memories of a visit that felt personal rather than hurried.
Those final hugs, waves, and goodbyes often become some of the most treasured photographs in the entire collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a private Santa session?
Private Santa sessions vary by photographer. My Santa sessions at Panos Photography are 20 min. . The important question isn't simply the number of minutes—it's whether there is enough time for your child to relax, interact naturally, and enjoy the experience.
Do all children do every activity?
No. Every visit is personalized. Santa chooses activities that best match your child's age, comfort level, and interests.
Can parents and siblings join?
Absolutely. Family portraits, sibling portraits, and individual child portraits can all be included during your visit.
Do children have to sit on Santa's lap?
No. Many children choose to stand beside Santa, read a story together, or help with Christmas activities instead. The goal is always natural interaction, not forced poses.
Every Santa photographer offers something different. Before you book, learn the important questions to ask about session length, personalization, edited images, family portraits, and what happens if your child needs extra time.
Continue Reading: Questions to Ask Before Booking Santa Photos
