It’s the biggest event of my year and honestly one that is super near and dear to my heart. Places to see Santa are plentiful these days & getting photos with Santa is relatively easy, so when I open booking in August for this event, the result always humbles me.

It’s not a story I’ve ever told publicly (although I have shared with a few clients during a newborn session or two), but back in 2013 I was set to offer a day of mini sessions at a local ice cream shop. I was fresh off the corporate ladder, having left my stable, corporate cubical for a newfound passion and entrepreneurship. It was March of 2013, I had a 3 year old, a 6 month old, and a hungry heart to make things work. I was booking sessions with friends and family; people were very supportive. Things were honestly going well, but everything was far from established. Mini sessions were all the rage and I thought this ice cream idea would be something fun and “different”.

As awesome as it would be to tell you those minis were at hit, they were quite the opposite. Not a single session sold. NOT ONE.

I love telling this story now because the Lord has been so redeeming in my photography journey. For the past 5 years, I’ve been able to keep The Santa Event exclusive to past clients. These Santa sessions sell out each year (usually within minutes), and I am so grateful that I didn’t give up on that disheartening day in 2013. I am also grateful that out of all the Santa’s to see in Atlanta and surroundings areas, clients still choose mine. They still choose to share these special Christmas memories with me.

This year I offered an afternoon of Santa at the Tree Farm & a day of Santa in the Studio. You can see more of the The Primrose Social here. Thompson’s Tree Farm was the backdrop of the outdoor sessions with Santa this year and this piece of magical Christmas property is my absolute favorite. The owners that I have worked with for the past 5 year retired in June, but the new owners are doing a wonderful job keeping the spirit alive in this precious place. If you are local, make sure you go see them next year; they seem to keep their Facebook page updated & will post when they open next year!

It was the sweetest year! I am so appreciative of all the families that joined me 🙂