2025 Non Traditional Santa Photos With a Twist

If you wanted a photo with Santa that looked like everyone else’s then you would not be here. This is an experience like none other. We started this unique experience in 2014 in our living room, we have done indoor studio, markets & outside.

And the first time since 2017 we are bringing back the box!

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Why you Want THESE Photo's Over Going to the Mall

3x3 Grid with a chaotic feel. Photo taken by Capture & Design

We at Capture & Design get it. Santa can be scary to a young tiny human. So we take our cues from them. In the past,  whether they are crying, or just want to stare or actually play with Santa. We capture the experience, the moment and you get the most unique photos in town!  Santa interacts with you or your child. No chair, no stranger to sit on, just pure fun.

HOWEVER in 2025 Santa will not be present. This is perfect for those really shy children. He will be photoshopped into your box presentation post processing.  We will photoshop Santa into one square & it will appear as if he is interacting with your child in the finished product.

This type of session is great for any child of any age, adults too!  Special needs children we got you covered! No waiting in lines, no cranky children being over whelmed & an experience with Santa who will actually bring joy. We will be indoors, actually my garage, this year and your family is the only one present. 

I am located in Morinville, we will be using my non insulated indoor garage. I will email you my address in your confirmation email.

Please check out my PINTEREST mood board for examples from other photographers. 

And note that Santa will not be present. He is added in during the post processing part.

2025 sessions will be a cardboard box not a white one as seen in this photo. Cardboard Examples are coming soon.

A Visit with Santa you won't forget as he won't be present.

BUT, please note as you can tell by the examples  – you may only see pieces of Santa, his legs, arm or body.  Heck, we can even pose Santa post processing to fit your theme. Tie him up with lights, throw things at him. This session is about you or your child interacting with the man in red virtually. Not actually sitting on his lap like you would at the mall. Shy kids – we got you, adult kids – heck yeah we got you covered!

 This is not your Mall Santa Experience. 

And this year, we are adding in a fun element into your session. THE BOX, we have some props & you are encouraged to bring your own.

Please check out my PINTEREST mood board for examples from other photographers. And note that Santa will not be present. He is added in during the post processing part.

2025 sessions will be a cardboard box not a white one as seen in the photos on this page.  Studio examples of cardboard are not finished & are in post processing right now & I will share them as soon as they are ready.

Please check out my PINTEREST mood board for examples from other photographers.

2025 sessions will be a cardboard box not a white one as seen in this photo. Cardboard Examples are coming soon.

SANTA will not be present.

He will be photoshopped in post processing.

Nitty Gritty Details You Need to Know Before you Book a Session

  • ♥All sessions must be booked in advance, no drop in’s permitted. 
  • ♥READ the FAQ page at https://heatherpalmer.ca/capture-design/faqs/ for legal issues that could arise 
  • ♥There are 3 options for you to choose from for your finished product. The GOOGLE FORM in step 2 is where you choose
  • ♥You receive DIGITAL FILES ONLY, 1 of the finished poster and then each individual image that makes up that larger poster. And of course your files will NOT be watermarked.
  • ♥Print release is always provided, but note this style is not a traditional print photo size
  • ♥1-2 weeks for delivery (this style takes a lot of late nights in post processing), you receive an email with a password protected page on my website for you to download your images from
  • ♥We are in a non insulated indoor garage, please dress appropriately for the temperatures
  • ♥Your session is 30 minutes long, but if you require a larger group of people or changes in clothes/props that could run over that time please book 2 back to back sessions.
  • ♥You are the only family during your time, no strangers watching
  • ♥I have 18 years experience behind the camera – you get all my knowledge in posing & capturing your best side during your session
  • ♥There are 3 steps to reserve your session, they are outlined below
  • ♥We can not guarantee smiles, we capture what transpires between child, adult & Virtual Santa
  • ♥Please don’t bring hoards of people to watch. That just makes the experience very stressful. Keep it to the members being photographed.
  • ♥Yes you can bring your pet. We are inside my garage. Just make sure they are on a leash, friendly & they won’t mark the territory as we don’t want the cardboard wrecked for the next family. Just note though I don’t do well personally with lizards or snakes. So let’s keep our pets to the furry type.
  • ♥There will not be bathrooms for humans or private places to change, so use the facilities before you leave home.
  • ♥If you arrive early, please wait in your warm car till I arrive. I am with the family before you and they need all my attention.
  • ♥Sessions are 30 minutes max!
  • ♥If you or your child becomes sick – you will need to cancel
  • ♥50% of session fee must be paid at time of booking & is non refundable, non transferable.  The remainder of your session must be paid in full in order to receive your digital files
  • ♥The session may be cancelled by the studio for 1 of 2 reasons: 1. The photographer wakes up sick, or 2. Snow storm. If the studio cancels your session, then 100% of the fee is reimbursed. 
  •  

** Please watch our Facebook page or Instagram Stories for updates in regards to: cancellations, emergencies or other chaos situations that could arise.

PROPS:  We at the studio encourage you to bring the fun.  This session is prop heavy so start digging out those items you think will work best.  Below are some ideas to spruce up your images.

🎅 We have limited props that can be used such as a small Christmas tree, a string of lights, some garland, books, a box for magic. Please feel free to bring your own to include. 

Some Ideas are:

    • 🎅All of you in matching PJ’s/hats
    • 🎅Ugly Sweaters
    • 🎅Sports fan – jersey, equipment
    • 🎅Stuffy party – you bring all your favorite stuffed bears
    • 🎅Outdoor Christmas decor
    • 🎅You can bring your pet too in matching hats!
    • 🎅Wear matching plaid,
    • 🎅Dress up for hockey, or any outdoor sport, if you are brave – pretend it’s summer.
    • 🎅A new theme is that awkward family photo session that reminds us of the old Sears Portraits of the 80’s. 
    • 🎅And if you are more of the spooky nature we can add a bit of halloween twist to your Santa Portraits.
    • 🎅If you are a group of adults only – bring your favorite drink or adult toy.
    • 🎅 Last year we had some teens bring a whoopie cushion to prank Santa.
    • 🎅Bring a string of lights, food dishes, drinks, wreathes & other decor

WHEN? November 9 & 10, 2025 are the 2 dates available with a range of times to choose from. 

No reservations will be allowed to be made after November 7, 2025.  

We may open more times up if all the current ones are reserved. No guarantee of this.

WHERE?  We are indoors this year, we will be set up inside my non insulated garage. I am located in Morinville. I will email you the address in your confirmation email.

Please check out my PINTEREST mood board for examples from other photographers. 

I am working fast to get my samples up for you to see this coming weekend.

Take note of the 9 square grids – the only props are ones included at the time of the session.

The grids with 10+ squares will have some post photoshopping of props, overlays & more enhanced edits & their price reflects that time spent on your sessions in post processing.

Each package will have at minimum 1 Santa. You can always choose more if you wish.

How much?

3 Steps to Book Your Session

2025 sessions will be a cardboard box not a white one as seen in this photo. Cardboard Examples are coming soon.

November 7, 2025 is the last day to reserve your session.

All steps must be completed in order to fully reserve your session. You have 24 hours to complete all 3 steps once you submit the first one.  After that time your session time will open back up for anybody to reserve.

Step 1 – Reserve your day & time on our booking site,   but come back here for Step 2 & 3

Step 2 – Fill out this GOOGLE FORM, it will have prices & options to choose from and provides your family details for an awesome experience. 

Step 3 –  50% of your session fee is required within 24 hours of Step 2 in order to secure your session. I will email you to confirm you are booked. Email transfer to madebyheather@shaw.ca and include your family’s name in the message of that payment. We will not be accepting credit cards as payment this year. 

You have 24 hours to complete all 3 steps once you submit the first one.  After that time your session time will open back up for anybody to reserve.

50% of your session is the Non refundable/ non transferable retainer & it must be submitted to reserve your session. 

We may open more sessions for bookings after all the current ones are reserved. No guarantees

All the examples currently on this page in white were taken by our studio in 2017 when we first ran these sessions. The ones in the PINTEREST mood board are by other photographers but show you the inspiration for the cardboard box. We are in the process of putting the final post processing details onto our own studio images & will share those shortly.

I look forward to capturing you and your family this holiday season.