Pictures with Santa are one of those holiday traditions parents look forward to all year. You choose the adorable outfit, imagine the perfect Christmas portrait, and picture your little one sitting happily beside Santa with a big smile.
And then reality happens.
Your toddler sees Santa and bursts into tears.
Your baby stares at him like he’s the most confusing person they’ve ever seen.
Your preschooler suddenly decides they absolutely do NOT want to sit anywhere near that big red suit.
If this sounds familiar, don’t worry. You haven’t done anything wrong!
Santa is a large, unfamiliar person in a dramatic costume, and for a young child, that can be a lot to take in. The good news is that a little preparation can make a big difference.
As a Brentwood, CA newborn and child photographer, I’ve photographed children at many different ages and stages. I’ve learned that successful Santa pictures aren’t about forcing a child to smile or making them sit perfectly on Santa’s lap.
They’re about creating a comfortable environment where your child has the time and space to warm up—and capturing the real moments that happen along the way.
Here’s how to prepare your child for pictures with Santa and make the experience as enjoyable as possible.
Why Do So Many Kids Cry During Pictures with Santa?
Let’s start by taking the pressure off.
Santa fear is completely normal.
Your child may happily point to Santa in a Christmas book, wave at him on television, or shout “Santa!” when they see a holiday display. That doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ready to sit on his lap.
When Santa is suddenly standing right in front of them, he’s very different from the friendly character they’ve seen from a distance.
He’s tall.
He’s wearing a big red suit.
He has a beard.
He may have a deep voice.
And now someone is asking your child to sit with him and smile for a camera.
That’s a lot for a little person to process.
Babies may look surprised or uncertain. Toddlers can become especially hesitant because they’re right in the middle of developing stranger awareness and independence. Preschoolers may be excited one minute and nervous the next.
And sometimes a child who has been talking about Santa for weeks still cries the second they meet him.
That’s okay.
In fact, some of the most meaningful kids pictures with Santa aren’t the perfectly posed smiling portraits. A wide-eyed baby, a skeptical toddler, or a child holding tightly onto Mom can tell a much more authentic story about that particular Christmas.
The goal isn’t a “perfect” Santa picture.
The goal is to remember your child exactly as they were that Christmas.
What to Expect at Every Age During Pictures with Santa
Every child is different, but their age can give you a general idea of what to expect.
Babies Under 12 Months
Babies are often more curious than frightened. They may stare at Santa, grab his beard, or simply look completely puzzled by the whole experience.
The biggest challenge with babies is usually timing.
A tired or hungry baby isn’t going to care that you’ve planned the perfect Christmas portrait.
Try to schedule your session when your baby is normally happiest, and make sure they’re fed and rested before arriving.
Toddlers 12–36 Months
This is often the trickiest age for toddler pictures with Santa.
Toddlers are developing strong stranger awareness, but they don’t yet have the ability to reason through the situation.
You can explain, “Santa is your friend and we’re going to take a picture!” but your toddler may not be interested in hearing your explanation.
Don’t worry.
Give them time.
Sometimes the best first photograph is your child standing beside Mom or Dad while Santa stays a little farther away.
Preschoolers 3–5 Years
Preschoolers can go either way.
Some are completely enchanted by Santa and can’t wait to tell him everything on their Christmas list. Others are still hesitant about getting close to him.
Personality makes a big difference at this age.
If your child is shy, don’t assume that means the session won’t go well. They may simply need a few minutes to watch what is happening before they’re ready to participate.
School-Age Children 5+
Older children are usually more comfortable with Santa, but they can have a different challenge: wanting to “perform” for the camera.
Sometimes simply telling them, “You don’t have to do anything. Just have fun and let the photographer guide you,” takes away some of that pressure.
And if you have siblings of different ages, remember that they may all respond to Santa differently.
That’s perfectly normal.
How Early Should You Talk to Kids About Pictures with Santa?
Don’t wait until you’re pulling into the driveway to announce, “Guess what? We’re going to see Santa!”
A few weeks of casual preparation can help, especially for toddlers and shy children.
Read Santa books together. Watch short videos where children interact with Santa. Point out Santa decorations when you’re shopping or driving around town.
The key is to keep it low pressure.
You don’t need to convince your child that Santa is wonderful. You simply want to make the idea familiar.
You can say:
“We’re going to see Santa soon. You’ll get to meet him and we’ll take some Christmas pictures.”
Avoid making big promises such as:
“Santa is going to be so much fun! You’re going to sit on his lap and smile!”
That can unintentionally create pressure.
And definitely don’t use Santa pictures as a reward or threat.
“If you’re good, you can see Santa.”
or
“If you don’t smile for Santa, we’re leaving.”
Those statements can make an already uncertain child even more anxious.
For a particularly shy toddler, you can even practice at home. Let Mom or Dad pretend to be Santa. Practice waving, saying hello, standing nearby, or sitting beside Santa.
It doesn’t need to be elaborate.
The goal is simply to make the experience feel a little more familiar.
What Is the Best Time of Day for Pictures with Santa?
One of the biggest mistakes parents make when planning pictures with Santa has nothing to do with Santa at all.
It’s scheduling. Huggies article “Baby’s First Year Pictures with Santa” stongly recommends basing your appointment according to your child’s schedule.
A tired, hungry toddler is going to have a much harder time with a new and stimulating experience.
Whenever possible, choose a time when your child is normally happy and well-rested.
Morning sessions can work beautifully after a good night’s sleep. Mid-morning can also be a great option after breakfast and a snack.
Late afternoon can be more challenging for some toddlers, especially if they’ve already had a full day of activities.
And I would think twice about scheduling Santa immediately after school, soccer practice, shopping, and three other holiday activities.
By the time your child arrives, they may simply be done.
For families with multiple children, look for the time of day that gives everyone the best chance of being rested and comfortable.
Your child’s mood will make a much bigger difference than whether your session is at 10:00 or 10:30.
What Should My Child Wear for Pictures with Santa?
Of course you want your child to look adorable.
But comfort comes first.
One of the biggest mistakes I see is putting a child in a brand-new outfit that they’ve never worn before.
A stiff dress.
Scratchy tights.
Shoes they aren’t used to wearing.
A shirt with a tag that drives them crazy.
A waistband that pinches.
You may love how it looks, but your child is going to be thinking about how uncomfortable they are.
Instead, choose clothing that feels good and allows your child to move naturally.
And try the outfit at home first.
Have your child wear it for a little while. Make sure the shoes are comfortable. Check for anything scratchy, tight, itchy, or distracting.
For siblings, coordinating colors can create beautiful photographs without requiring everyone to wear identical outfits.
Think coordinated rather than matching.
And most importantly, don’t sacrifice your child’s comfort just to create the perfect color palette.
A comfortable child photographs beautifully.
What Should We Bring to Pictures with Santa?
A little preparation can save the day.
I recommend bringing:
- A familiar, non-messy snack
- Water
- A comfort item if your child has one
- A backup outfit for younger children
- Any necessary diapers or wipes
- A favorite small toy if needed for comfort
Don’t be afraid to bring the stuffed animal or lovey that your toddler normally sleeps with.
If that little bunny helps your child feel safe, bring the bunny.
Sometimes the most important thing you can bring isn’t something that fits inside the diaper bag.
It’s your own calm.
Children pick up on our emotions incredibly quickly. If you’re standing behind the camera saying, “Smile! Smile! Look at Santa! Come on, smile!” while becoming increasingly stressed, your child will often feel that pressure.
Instead, take a breath.
Let them take their time.
Trust that we can work with whatever happens.
What If My Child Is Afraid of Santa?
First: don’t panic.
Second: don’t force it.
If your child becomes frightened, the worst thing we can do is immediately insist that they sit on Santa’s lap.
Instead, we can slow everything down.
Maybe your child starts with Mom or Dad while Santa sits nearby.
Maybe an older sibling joins them.
Maybe your child stands beside Santa rather than sitting on his lap.
Maybe we photograph a sweet moment of your child looking at Santa from a comfortable distance.
Maybe Mom or Dad stays in the frame.
These aren’t “failed” Santa pictures.
They’re simply different Santa pictures.
Some of my favorite images happen when we stop trying to recreate the traditional Santa pose and instead photograph the relationship and emotion happening naturally.
And if your child is genuinely terrified, there’s no prize for forcing the interaction.
Sometimes the kindest decision is to give your child a break or recognize that this may simply not be their year.
A low-pressure experience today can make next year’s Santa experience much easier.
What a Santa Session Looks Like When You Work with Me
My goal for Santa sessions is to create a relaxed, welcoming experience for children and their parents.
I don’t expect every child to walk in and immediately sit on Santa’s lap with a giant smile.
Children need different amounts of time to warm up, and that’s okay.
We’ll take the time we need.
I’ll guide your child without putting them under pressure, and we’ll adjust based on how they’re responding.
If your child is comfortable with Santa, we’ll capture those beautiful traditional portraits.
If they’re hesitant, we’ll find another way.
That might mean including Mom or Dad, using a sibling as a buffer, photographing your child interacting with Santa from a little farther away, or simply giving them a few minutes to observe.
The goal is always to capture your child—not a performance.
Because years from now, you’ll want to remember more than what Santa looked like.
You’ll want to remember how your child looked at him.
The excitement.
The curiosity.
The wonder.
Maybe even that skeptical little expression that said, “I’m not sure about this guy.”
Those are the moments that make childhood so special.
Get Your Kids Ready for Pictures with Santa
The families who have the most enjoyable Santa experiences aren’t necessarily the ones whose children love Santa immediately.
They’re the ones who arrive with realistic expectations.
A rested child.
A familiar outfit.
A snack.
A little preparation.
And a willingness to let the experience unfold naturally.
Preparing your child isn’t about creating the perfect Santa moment.
It’s about removing some of the obstacles so that whatever real moment happens can be captured.
Sometimes you’ll get the huge Christmas smile you’ve been imagining.
Sometimes you’ll get a serious little face.
Sometimes you’ll get a child clinging to Mom.
And sometimes you’ll get a photograph that makes you laugh every single time you look at it.
They’re all part of your child’s story.
And that’s exactly why I love photographing children.
The “perfect” moments aren’t always the most memorable ones.
If you’re planning pictures with Santa in Brentwood, CA, I’d love to help make the experience relaxed, fun, and memorable for your family. My Santa sessions are designed with young children in mind, so there’s no need to worry if your little one needs a little time to warm up.
Ready to create some Christmas memories? Contact Diane Gabriel Photography to reserve your Santa session.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get my toddler to sit on Santa’s lap?
You don’t have to! Some toddlers simply aren’t ready, and that’s completely okay. We can photograph your child beside Santa, with a parent, with a sibling, or interacting with Santa from a comfortable distance. Often, these natural images become family favorites.
What age is best for pictures with Santa?
There isn’t one perfect age. Babies may be curious, toddlers are often more hesitant, preschoolers can vary widely, and older children are usually more comfortable. The best time is when your family is ready to enjoy the experience without pressure.
How do I prepare a shy child for pictures with Santa?
Start talking about Santa casually a few weeks before your session. Read Santa books, watch videos, and point out Santa displays without requiring your child to interact. Keeping the conversation positive and low-pressure can help make the experience more familiar.
Should I force my kid to take pictures with Santa?
No. Forcing a frightened child can make the experience more stressful. Instead, give your child time to observe and warm up. We can use a parent, sibling, or alternative pose to create beautiful images without requiring your child to sit on Santa’s lap.
What should kids wear for pictures with Santa?
Comfort should be the top priority. Choose familiar fabrics, comfortable shoes, and clothing without scratchy tags or tight waistbands. Have your child wear the outfit before the session so you know they can move comfortably in it.
Can parents be in pictures with Santa for young children?
Absolutely. A parent can be especially helpful for babies, toddlers, and children who are nervous around Santa. Parent-and-child images can be incredibly sweet and often help a hesitant child feel secure while we capture genuine Christmas moments.
