Learn about Old City Santa

Old City Santa is an immersive Christmas photography experience. 

During this 1-hour experience, families feel like they’re in a live performance rather than on a staged production set. The experience is immersive because our goal is to transport the children into a believable Christmas world where magic is real. Simultaneously, we photograph everything as it naturally unfolds.

From start to finish, we keep children and their parents fully engaged with interactive activities. We capture posed portraits, but also focus on capturing emotional in-between moments that embody the holiday spirit.

Upon booking, families complete a questionnaire, so that Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the photography team know everything about your children. This elevates the magic even further!

First, families are joyfully greeted by Mrs. Claus. As soon as the door opens, our cameras are snapping away. Mrs. Claus will share Christmas stories by the fire and interact with the children to make them feel comfortable. We always move at the pace of each child.

Much of the Christmas decorations are family heirlooms that have been passed down from generations or thrifted finds from antique stores along the East Coast. Along with the rich brown wood at The Logan Hotel, each room is decorated to feel cozy, cheerful, and classic.

In Mrs. Claus’ room, families will decorate the tree together, pose for family portraits with “Santa’s professional photographers” and explore other surprises. Afterward, they’ll sit at vintage classroom desks and write a letter to Santa. We’ll capture this as parents help their children write before placing it into our holiday mailbox. The children will ring our school bell to alert the elves about the letter.

Next, the children see Santa for the first time in another room. Here, there are tons of unique toys and vintage antiques. We’re looking for more than the typical lap photo with Santa. Children have access to old sleds, stuffed animals, Christmas books, and other countless props for magical photos.

As an option, parents can drop presents off before their experience. Once their session begins, we’ll slip them under the Christmas tree for Santa to deliver them. And, of course, our cameras will capture their reactions as they unwrap the gift.

Finally, we’ll end the journey with milk and freshly baked cookies from Campo’s. Gather around the Christmas tree with Santa and Mrs. Claus for a quick bite. This is your chance to unwind from the experience.

The maximum capacity for a 1-hour session is 5 participants. This accounts for 2 parents and 3 children. However, families may bring a 2 grandparents and/or a pet to the experience. This is acceptable.

The reason we place a maximum capacity on participants is to guarantee that each experience is successful. The full experience is 1-hour, and more participants means that photos take more time. In large groups, there are more distractions, and it is difficult to make each child feel recognized.

If we feel like we can’t perform at our highest standard based on your total number of participants, then we’ll require that you meet our max capacity level.

You will receive a lot of digital photos.

We’ve never had families complain about photo quantity. However, we value quality when making our selections. Closed eyes, misfires, and duplicates will not appear in your gallery. We will choose the best photos based on our professional standards.

We’ll gather a minimum of 40 digital photos for you to download from a gallery. If there are more great photos, then we will place them in the gallery and exceed this number.You may receive 60, 70, or 100 photos. Every yield is different.

The photos that you receive will appear how we want them to look. We’ll account for basics like coloring and straightness, but we do not perform any precision retouching. You may use these photos for any personal purposes. It is prohibited to distribute them to third parties.

As soon as possible.

We’re highly aware of that Christmas is on December 25th. It is our number one goal to send you the digital photos before this day. During the week, we devote our time to post-production. After your experience, we usually estimate 3-5 days for turnaround.

However, if you book your experience less than 3 days before Christmas Eve, then you will receive your photos after December 25th.

Depending on when you place your order, it is very likely that all wood prints will arrive after Christmas. Custom albums are designed by the studio in January and February.

If you think your child is afraid of Santa, then the Old City Santa experience is probably your best gamble.

We allocate enough time to move at the child’s pace, give them our full attention, and build trust. This is not an experience where children are immediately tossed on laps. It is very gradual. The parents are active participants during this experience and are always by their child’s side, which eases a lot of tension.

Upon booking, we send families a questionnaire where they can share information about their child. The answers in your questionnaire are another tool that we use to gain trust for children who are afraid.

You may bring your child’s favorite toys the experience. While we have bells, stuffed animals, and other fun objects, a familiar toy from your house is irreplaceable.

If you still think your child is afraid of Santa, then consider participating in Old City Santa when they are older. We strongly believe that parents know best when it comes to how their child may react when meeting Santa. Unfortunately, if your child is afraid of the experience, we cannot to provide a refund.

We highly encourage families to dress festive, formal, and fun.

Red and green are the most popular color combination for outfits. Light brown and heather gray also work for variation. Wearing a great color combo with make each photo pop!

Families can wear sports jackets, sweaters, skirts, button-ups, or dresses. Make sure that clothes are tailored to fit well and shape the body correctly. Try to aim for a polished look. If you’re wearing uncomfortable clothes, then the photos will reflect this.

Our team understands that each child with special needs requires a specific amount of attention and care. The Old City Santa experience is a great alternative for special needs children because it is private and gradual for them. We will closely work with you to properly prepare for your child with special needs.

On the other hand, the Old City Santa experience is not sensory friendly. We use jingle bells, strobe lights, scented candles, and music boxes that may cause issues for some children with special needs. The team is also not proficient with American Sign Language (ASL). Please keep this in mind when considering if our experience is a good fit.

Old City Santa is wheelchair accessible. The Logan Hotel provides ADA accessible bathrooms, ramps, and elevators on their premises.

Yes. The Logan Hotel is pet friendly. Animals are allowed to participate in the experience.

We grant capacity for 1 or 2 animals per session. If your pet is anxious or has bladder issues, then it is preferred to keep them home.

Please inquire about bringing exotic animals like birds, reptiles, or rodents.

All families are required to place a non-refundable retainer to secure their date and time. Remaining balances are due on Black Friday.

Cancellation: If a family wishes to cancel before 30 days from their session date, then they must forfeit the non-refundable retainer. After 30 days from their session date, Old City Santa will retain the minimum price for services, if a client wishes to cancel.

Reschedule: If a family wishes to reschedule their session for any reason, then Old City Santa requires another non-refundable retainer to secure an available date and time.

However, the Old City Santa experience is transferrable. If you have another family member or friend that wants to take your session, then this is possible. In order to do so, the transferred family must sign a separate agreement.