The Santa Experience

30 Unhurried Minutes. Real Magic. A Gift Chosen Just for Them.

Bonney Lake Studio

Real Santa Actor

Private Sessions

Limited Spots

Hi, We’re Markie + Jake. Your PNW Santa Photo Team.

I, Markie, started these sessions back in 2013 because our eldest daughter would fall apart the second she saw Santa, and she refused to believe the only option was a crying photo and a $75 receipt from the mall. She set out on a mission to build something better and surprise, Jake ended up in the Santa suit. (It’s actually how we originally started dating). He takes the role seriously: every child gets his full attention, their favorite story read with real enthusiasm, and a gift pulled from his bag that already has their name on it. Markie stays behind the camera, quietly documenting every warm-up, every giggle, and every moment a hesitant little one decides Santa might actually be pretty great. It’s kind of our favorite day of the whole year.

Why We Created This Experience

I know exactly what it feels like to watch your child fall apart the moment they lay eyes on Santa.

Years ago, as a single mom, I watched my daughter light up with excitement on the drive over and then dissolve into tears the second she was face to face with the jolly man in red. That heart-wrenching gap between the magic she was expecting and the overwhelming experience she got was something I couldn’t stop thinking about. So I decided to do something about it.

What started as a mission to find a Santa who could actually connect with hesitant kids turned into something much bigger. Since 2013, our Santa Experience has grown into a beloved holiday tradition for families across the Pacific Northwest. Families come back year after year. Kids light up when Santa remembers them from last Christmas. Some give a knowing smile when they start to recognize the man behind the beard. And every single session, we get to witness that moment when a child who wasn’t sure becomes completely, utterly enchanted.

That’s what we’re here for.

“We had an amazing experience with Markie for our Christmas photo shoot. She was very patient and fun with my young kids who were not cooperating. She was able to get some amazing shots of the family. Markie was very professional, flexible, talented and I appreciated her fast communication. 100% recommend Markie for your next photo needs!” – Okjung, 2024

Our Santa is patient, warm, and genuinely gifted with children. He meets every child exactly where they are; whether that’s immediately in his lap or still warming up on the other side of the room. He gets down on the floor. He reads their favorite books. He listens to their Christmas wishes like each one matters, because to him, it does.

This is not a mall photo op. There is no timer, no line, no stranger asking your toddler to smile on command. Just your family, Santa, and 30 unhurried minutes of real holiday magic.

What Your Session Looks Like

Every session unfolds a little differently — because every child is different. Here’s what you can expect from start to finish:

Your Arrival

No waiting room, no juggling other families. You’ll arrive at our Bonney Lake studio at your reserved time and have the space entirely to yourselves.

Your Child Settles In

The studio is warm, calm, and filled with things to explore. If you have a little one who tends to be hesitant or easily overwhelmed, bring their favorite toy, stuffed animal, or book. Having a comfort item in hand makes a world of difference, and we’ll incorporate it naturally into the session.

Santa Arrives when your child is ready

Santa enters when the moment feels right. He starts from across the room, giving children the space to observe, approach, and warm up at their own pace. Some kids sprint straight to him. Some take the full 30 minutes to decide he’s okay. Both are perfect. Both are photographed.

The Magic Happens

Santa might read their favorite story. He might ask about their Christmas list and actually listen. He might get on the floor and play. He might share a cookie and a laugh. Whatever unfolds is real, and we’ll be quietly documenting all of it in our documentary style with all the in-between moments, the expressions, and the little details.

The gift

Before your session, we ask about your child’s interests, favorites, and personality. Santa uses that to select a gift chosen just for them and when he reaches into his bag and pulls it out with their name on it, the look on their face is something we’ve never gotten tired of watching.

This is NOT Your Mall’s Santa

We know the alternative. The 45-minute line. The two minutes with a stranger. The charge for a single 5×7 that costs more than this entire session. And the classic “crying Santa photo” that’s funny in retrospect, but devastating when it’s happening.

Our sessions were built specifically for families who want something different. Families where a child might need a little extra time. Where the parent wants to actually be present in the moment, not just surviving it. Where the photos that come out of the day look like a real, warm memory… not a staged performance.

The Mall

  • 45-minute wait in line
  • 2 minutes with Santa
  • Strangers rushing you out
  • Forced smiles on command
  • One print + Digital for $75
  • Crying Photo = Only Option

The Santa Experience

  • Your reserved time, no waiting
  • 30 unhurried minutes
  • We follow your child’s lead
  • Zero pressure to perform
  • Full gallery of images included
  • Personalized gift with their name

A Note on Hesitant Kids
If your child has had a hard time with Santa in the past or if you know they’re typically slow to warm up to new people, please let us know when you book. We’ll adjust how we begin your session and make sure Santa approaches at exactly the right pace. Booking the last slot of the evening can also give us more breathing room if we need it. We have never forced a child, and we never will.

Session Investment

$350 — tax included

There’s a moment that happens in almost every session. The nerves melt away, a little voice starts talking, and suddenly it’s just a child and Santa completely lost in the magic of it. That’s what you’re here for.

Whether your kids sprint toward him or cling to your leg, whether they have a mile-long wish list or go completely speechless, this is the age of believing, and it goes faster than anyone warns you. This is how you hold onto it.

Your 30-minute session is relaxed, unhurried, and guided by whatever your family needs that day. No rushing, no pressure. Just real moments as they unfold.

You’ll leave with a full gallery of 25–30 hand-edited images, digital downloads with personal use rights, and a $75 credit toward holiday cards or prints, so the magic doesn’t stay buried in a camera roll.

Spots are limited each season.

Questions We Hear All the Time

There are no rules, but here’s what photographs beautifully: rich, warm tones like burgundy, forest green, navy, cream, and caramel. Simple coordinating pieces rather than perfectly matched outfits. Layers and textures look great on camera. Avoid busy logos or patterns. Most importantly, dress your children in something they’re comfortable in. A child who feels good moves freely, and that makes for better photos. After booking, we’ll send you our full what-to-wear guide.

In all honesty, any age. From babies experiencing their first Christmas in Santa’s arms to older kids deep in conversation about their wish list. We’ve photographed wide-eyed three-month-olds, eight-year-olds who still fully believe, and even teenagers who think they’re too old for this but still enjoy joking around with Santa. If your little one is very small, bring their favorite comfort item and we’ll work around it naturally.

Absolutely. Siblings (and cousins) are always welcome. One tip: if you have multiple children with different temperaments, don’t worry about managing them all at once. Santa is experienced with groups, and we’ll give each child their own moment. Booking an earlier slot when kids are freshest can help if you have little ones who fatigue quickly. Over the years we’ve found families with up to 4 children are easily managed during a single 30-minute timeslot. However, if you have a lot of kids or family participants (We tend to have 14 people at our own session, including Santa), we recommend booking an additional session or even a special event just for your family. Contact us for details!

Completely normal, and completely okay. Our Santa is experienced, patient, and genuinely wonderful with hesitant children. He’ll start from across the room, let them observe, maybe read a book to himself, and let the child come to him when they’re ready. The moment the ice breaks is often the best photo of the whole session. We will never rush or force a child ever. If your child has had a difficult experience with Santa before, please let us know when you book so we can tailor how we begin.

Yes, but keep it gentle and low-pressure. “We’re going to visit Santa at a special quiet place” is usually enough. Avoid over-hyping or building big expectations that might feel scary. Bring their favorite book or toy if they have one; Santa will use it as a way to connect. Let the magic be the surprise.

Your session fee covers your 30-minute studio session, a private online gallery with your edited images, full digital downloads, and personal use rights for printing and sharing. We photograph your session in both color and black-and-white. The exact number of images depends on how your session unfolds, but we aim for a minimum of 25 and typically send significantly more. Print ordering and holiday card design are also available directly through your gallery.

Your private online gallery will be ready within 72 hours of your session. You’ll receive a direct link by email, and images will be available for download and print ordering immediately.

Yes. We know not every family celebrates with Santa, and we’re happy to do holiday portraits instead. Let us know at booking and we’ll make sure Santa stays out of the frame entirely. If you arrive and change your mind (it happens!) just let us know at the start and we’ll adjust.

Excited? Join Santa’s Nice List to gain access on 7/1/26!