Santa Photos in Victorville: Taking Home the Magic
Backdrop for Santa photos.
The holiday season is upon us. And, as a photographer, I’m in the thick of it! I’m even being a last-minute Lucy with my own family Christmas cards. Ha!
Magic is in the air, and it’s not going away anytime soon.
Last week, I photographed over 90 kids and their families with Santa in Victorville. 34th Street Prep Academy invited me to take photos, and I, of course, said yes!
They are an educational center that offers tutoring and lots of other services, including super fun field trips!
When I arrived, they had a backdrop already set up for me. Santa was there and hung out for the day. He was the real star!
I had fully charged batteries and lots of energy, despite my car not starting on the morning of.
I brought my lunch, two large lights with stands, my portable printer, frames to insert the Santa photos into, and my little helper (my daughter). We were ready for a jam-packed afternoon.
However, this post isn’t about tangible photos or the details of the cute backdrop. I have another post from last year if you’d like the read that, over here.
This is about all the magic I saw on so many little faces that day.
I even got to hang with my elf bestie— Brandi, who is full of good vibes and offers healing in all sorts of forms.
After a long day of being on my feet, I left with a happy heart and recharged for the rest of December.
A couple of elves hanging out with Santa.
As we all know, the holiday season can be hectic. “Chaos Blvd” for most of us.
It can also be a very sad time of year. People have lost family and friends during this time, and it can make the season feel less than joyful.
Kids can turn into grumpy little stinkers, and as we think to ourselves, “Will this month ever end?” We have to pause and remember this is overwhelming for them, too.
Children haven’t been around as long as we have. And, they don’t have a well-developed filter yet. What they say and do, comes out raw and very real.
I watched a little girl, age 6 or so, get a book and pout, then throw a toy because she didn’t want the book. My first thought was “Omgsh! What a little angel” (sarcasm). Then, I quickly realized that her behavior is totally normal! The mom’s face said it all as she tried to smile through the situation.
Everything was new, shiny, and lots of things were going on. Children, just like adults, have high expectations. They expect to get toys, they expect to indulge in cookies, hot cocoa, and holiday music, and they expect to feel happy and cheerful!
As adults, you can’t deny it; we expect all that too. And, much more!
We expect our kids to be grateful and happy!
Out of the 90+ kids, I only witnessed one tantrum. So, that’s a win in my Ho-ho holiday book.
All the other children were sweet and excited to see Santa.
There were a handful of little ones in particular, aged two to three, that had the Christmas magic in their eyes. They didn’t want to look at the camera; they just wanted to stare at Santa in awe.
It melted my heart!
Even in times where parents are stressed and financially strapped, there is magic to be found.
I grew up with a single mom, and she worked her tail off to always give me the best Christmas. She created so much magic in our small apartment.
One of my favorite memories was the Christmas tree. She would wrap tiny trinkets and gifts to stick in the tree. Anytime a friend or neighbor came over, she’d tell them to go pick a present from the tree.
The gifts were usually a rubber bouncy ball, silly glasses, a Chinese yo-yo, etc. It was just another way she made the holiday extra special.
She made hard candy, popcorn balls, and we’d go to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, then home to open gifts.
Ahh, sweet memories…
Okay, back to the Santa session.
There was one little boy in particular I remember and will remember for a long time.
He was about eleven years old and was there with his mom and three little brothers. They were sweet and very quiet as I took their photos.
As the mom put both twin boys back into the stroller, the older boy was chatting with Santa. He was telling him how excited he was for Christmas and what he wanted. And he had a special sparkle in his demeanor.
I am getting teary just typing this.
The magic in the boy’s eyes was real! He was so happy. And, it made my entire day. I was filled with joy just witnessing it.
No matter how tired my feet were or how sweaty I was— thanks to my many layers and the velour elf costume. I was feeling thankful.
Thankful for what you ask? It wasn’t my child. I didn’t know this family. But whatever that mom is doing, she’s doing a good job!
I doubt she’ll read this, and I regret not telling her that she was doing a good job. But she’ll be in my memory for years.
Momming is hard. Momming during the holidays is even harder!
It’s such a chaotic time of year, and we are often overlooked. We rarely receive thank yous, and it can be disheartening.
It’s probably why many of us drown ourselves in cheese and Hallmark movies. Ha! I know that’s what I do.
As photographers, we love to create memories for the ones in front of the lens. However, those of us behind the lens take memories home with us, too. We take tiny bits of the giggles, smiles, and love we can see in those we photograph. It truly is rewarding.
A deer in the (photography) headlights.
This feels more like a personal diary entry than anything, but I had to share the holiday cheer, love, and magic I saw that day.
It was a special day for many. The center offered food for families, hot cocoa, a book for each child, and they had a clothing drive as well.
The Santa photos were free, with an option to purchase a framed print so kids could take the Christmas magic home.
I left with a full heart and can’t wait to do it again next year.
If you’d like to book me for your family photos, holiday or not, click here.
Read why printing your images is important. Click here.
Thanks for reading “Santa Photos in Victorville: Taking Home the Magic”, and all about my day spent hanging out with Santa, kids, and their families.
Remember, take time to just enjoy the little things of the season. Relax and watch a holiday movie with your kids, and give them a little more grace than usual.
Expectations are big, and we’re all feeling a little more stressed and excited than usual. But, I encourage you to just breathe and perhaps buy the fancy cheese.
Sending you holiday magic,
Annette
Merry Christmas from Santa and his elves.
