Giving Back: Portraits with Santa - 2014

OH how I love photographing this event in my neighborhood each year!  I adore my community, and love getting to witness the kiddos and their reactions to Santa Claus himself.

One of my goals for my Miles of Smiles Photography business is no matter how busy I get, to always do little things to give back to the Austin community and the families and neighborhood that I live in. 

Here are the 3 reactions that I see most when photographing this event.

Number one reaction: The child is SO excited to meet Santa and runs right up to him, hugs him, looks him over, tells him exactly what they are hoping for this Christmas, and acts like Santa is their best bud.

Number two reaction: The child is excited but SO shy and isn't quite sure what to think about Santa, sitting on his lap, or having a picture taken with him.  This reaction is usually calmed by Santa giving the child a candy cane, and usually, a small smile appears in time for me to snap a portrait of it.

Number three reaction: Sheer and utter fear.  Santa is such a nice man... I love getting to work with him each year at this time.  But Santa doesn't always love when parents shove a screaming baby onto his lap.  So we work together... Santa and me... as a team, to make sure the children who are super scared get a little distance and comfort while they visit Santa Claus.

My kiddos had a fun reaction this year (no tears!).  Miles climbed right up on his lap and gave him a drawing he had made, and Avah (though shyly) sat on his lap and once she got back off and into her "safety zone," she was chatting his ear off.  ;)

Here is a tiny little peek into my day with Santa.  It was wonderful serving the adorable children and families here in my neighborhood, and I am already looking forward to Snapshots with Santa in 2015!

The L Family {Austin Family Photographer}

I love getting to work with so many wonderful families through my photography work.

I grew up in a town of 1,200 in the Midwest, so Austin is huge to me.  But I really feel like my neighborhood here in big ol' Austin is like my "little town in a big city."  Familiar faces, familiar places, and so many sweet families and kiddos all around. 

The L Family first heard about me when I was doing pictures of Santa and the kiddos in my neighborhood (click here for some of that cuteness).  It was so fun working with them for one of my Wildflower Mini-Sessions this spring!

What a sweet family they were, and these kiddos were so much fun to work with!  They really made me excited for my own kiddos to be these ages.  That will be them in just 2 years.  Wow. 

Enjoy a sneak peek into our evening session together!

 

We even got to dance in the rain a bit at the very end.  :)  

Snapshots with Santa {Austin Family Photographer}

I have to say, Snapshots with Santa is one of my favorite events each year.  For one, I absolutely love the community that I live in, and I love getting to serve the people here.  I grew up in a town of 1,200 people and I feel like my subdivision is my little "slice" of "small hometown" goodness here in this big old (but awesome) city.  Also, I love doing Santa pics because there are usually three reactions that children have... and it is hilarious to witness.

Number one reaction: The child is SO excited to meet Santa and runs right up to him, hugs him, looks him over, tells him exactly what they are hoping for this Christmas, and acts like Santa is their best bud.

Number two reaction: The child is excited but SO shy and isn't quite sure what to think about Santa, sitting on his lap, or having a picture taken with him.  This is usually calmed by Santa giving the child a candy cane, and usually, a small smile appears in time for me to snap a portrait of it.

Number three reaction: Sheer and utter fear.  Santa is such a nice man... I love getting to work with him each year at this time.  But Santa doesn't love when parents shove a screaming baby onto his lap.  So we work together... Santa and me... as a team, to make sure the children who are super scared get a little distance and comfort while they visit Santa man.

My kids had a great reaction to Santa this year.  Miles ran right up to him this year (unlike last year), and little Avah didn't even realize she was on his lap, because she was too busy focusing on Mommy taking pictures of her.  :)  

Here is a tiny little peek into my day with Santa.  It was wonderful serving the adorable children and families here in my "hometown subdivision," and I am already looking forward to Snapshots with Santa in 2013!