Tuesday, September 25, 2007

i believe, i believe


it's hard to believe that christmas is just around the corner again! i love christmas. last year i started pictures with santa, and it is by far my favorite job i have ever done! it's kind of a fun story too as to how i got started...

last august, we were at the park and jack comes running up to me and says, "there's santa!" as he is pointing at this older gentleman who had long white hair and a beard...but no red suit. then jack asks, "can i go tell him that i want a superman bike for christmas?" how could i say no? it would totally crush him, and ruin his chances of believing in santa...so i let him go up to "santa" with hopes that the older fellow would humor my son.

well, "santa" did more than that..he took jack up on his knee and let jack tell him everything that he wanted for christmas, he did magic tricks with jack, sang jingle bells, and even told jack to listen to his mommy and daddy, say his prayers, and be a good big brother to gracie.

i was floored! i thought to myself, "this probably really is the real santa", or at least the "santa" i surely believed in until the 6th grade (don't make fun of me...i've always been a big dreamer and have a wild imagination). after talking to "santa" for a bit, i found out that being "santa" is his job for november and december and has been for the last 15 years. he said he has the best job in the world. now, being a photographer...the wheels in my head began turning. i asked him if he had ever done photo shoots. he said only at the mall. i then told him the idea i just thought of...to give families 20 whole minutes with the best santa ever, and sneek a few pictures in the process. he said he would love to. soooo, he made room for me in his very busy schedule and we made "pictures with santa" happen.

last year i filled 2 days and had the time of my life - and so did "santa". he said that in the 15 years he has been "santa", this was his favorite "gig". the children absolutely adored him, and he got every child to sit on his lap...he was so sweet and really worked with the children who were a little afraid. he sang songs, did magic tricks, and even snuck in a few kisses with the babies. some of the parents brought gifts for santa to give the kids, but he still had a bag for all the children anyway.

i feel truly blessed to know the real santa, and i can't wait to see what fun there is to have this year. i hope you all can come experience this wonderful man and start off your holiday season with a bang!

above is another adorable picture of santa with my cousin's daughter...

and just because i love you...all of you who come to my blog...if you click on the ad on the right of my blog, and pay there...you get $10 off. i know it's still not the cheapest thing ever, but it's his job and mine. also...if you think about what you would pay for 1 5x7 at the mall ($15), plus a fake-bearded santa, plus only 1 minute to sit on his lap while the rest of the mall watches, plus you don't get to have the digital negatives to have forever and turn into the best christmas card EVER! whew...

hope to see you there!

10 comments:

Carma Lee said...

Great story! Makes me wish I had a little one to take for a visit with Santa. Maybe I'll just come to watch; it should be great fun!
Love, Mom E

Kristi said...

I am so glad you told this story! How fun! I am so excited for pictures with Santa. I wish I could be there, but my baby girl sure will be! This picture is my favorite! I want that little girl's dress for Claire, and the bow!!!!! :o)

Kristi said...

By the way, I think it's a steal! 10 digital photos and 20 minutes with THAT Santa. Just the 10 digital photos from such an amazing photographer could go for a lot more! Your price is NOT expensive. It's reasonable and way more than worth it!!!

Heather said...

I to wish I had a little one to bring and visit with Santa. I can only hope by the time I am blessed with kids you and he will still be doing this! I was highly impressed last year as I observed the amazing Santa Jack discovered! My sister recently moved to Anthem and I am trying super hard to convince her that having the pictures done with this Santa and you is a must! I think she is almost ready to commit!! Save me a slot, I'm sure you're getting so full already! ;-)

Brooke and Brett Martin said...

i can't believe i just read that whole thing. i NEVEr read long things b/c i never have time. that was GRRREAT. i seriously can't wait- and that picture is absolutely ADORABLE i can hardly stand it! i'll keep opening my big mouth. i hope it's a success for you!!

Tracy said...

Wow! You work with the REAL SANTA?! That's better than talking to John Travolta on the phone. lol!! I love this business idea - so unique and special.
My youngest dd, Cami is in 5th grade and finally knows the reality about the guy in red, but I know part of her still believes. She asked me last week, "What do married couples who still believe in Santa do when they go to bed on Christmas Eve and expect to wake up to gifts?"

Laura said...

So you said you met that Santa in Arizona? I think I met him too when I lived there years ago. My brother believed in Santa for years because of a Santa we met there that was so realistic. I think your pictures with Santa are such a good idea.

Aaron.Shara.Abby said...

What a cute story that is! I love Christmas time and this post got me thinking of it - so exciting!

onehm said...

I was just reading your post and linked to the santa request page and it's saying that none of the times are available. Is that correct? I was hoping to have my children participate!
Let me know if you still have times available!
Thanks!
Ashley

Crazymamaof6 said...

oh my gosh! those are the cutest ever! and i know this Santa! he is such a sweet man! WHAT A FUN IDEA!
I EVEN HAVE A PAINTING OF HIM WITH MY KIDS. he comes as our personal Santa every year to my mom's Christmas party! and we do pictures and my mom watercolored one of him with my kids. your idea and photos are
fabulously cute! have a great time with your photo shoots!