Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page! We want to ensure that you have all the information you need to make the most of your time with us. If you have any additional questions not covered below, please don't hesitate to contact our friendly team. Let the magic begin!

1. What types of photoshoot experiences do you offer?

We offer a variety of photoshoot experiences, including family portraits, maternity photoshoots, couple sessions, themed shoots, and our highly sought-after Southern Santa Experience Photoshoot during the holiday season.

2. How do I book a photoshoot?

Booking a photoshoot is easy! Simply visit our website and click on the "Book Now" button. You can select your preferred photoshoot package, date, and time. If you do not see the package you are interested in, please email us to set up your session. Our online booking system is user-friendly and secure.

3. Where does the photoshoot take place?

Our photoshoot locations vary based on the type of experience you choose. We have carefully selected indoor and outdoor settings in and around Peachtree City, Sharpsburg, Tyrone, Fayetteville, and Newnan Georgia that complement each theme, ensuring your photos turn out beautifully. The location of Southern Santa Experience for 2024 will be located in Peachtree City and you will receive this TOP SECRET location upon completion of your booking. 

4. How long does a typical photoshoot session last?

The duration of the photoshoot depends on the package you choose. Most sessions last between 30 minutes to 1 hour. Our team will provide you with a more accurate estimate during the booking process. The Southern Santa Experience mini-session packages range from 15-30 minutes long.

5. What should I wear for the photoshoot?

For family and couple photoshoots, we recommend coordinating outfits that complement each other without being too matchy-matchy. For themed shoots, feel free to dress up according to the theme. Our team can offer styling advice if needed. For the Southern Santa Experience, since this is a highly stylized Christmas session, we recommend that children wear classic matching pajamas, old fashion, classic, or Victorian off-white nightgowns for girls, and traditional French ticking designed or other classic patterned matching pajamas or robes for boys and bare feet or classic slippers as the Southern Santa Experience mini-session photoshoot is created to look like it is Christmas Eve. If you would like a more upscale look, we recommend dress attire that is coordinating in color and will match well with the colors of Christmas. Rich reds and greens look great with our sets. We recommend that girls wear dresses that hit below the knee and wear matching shorts or stockings under their dresses.

6. Do you provide hair and makeup services?

We currently don't offer in-house hair and makeup services. However, we can recommend talented professionals in the area that we work with for your convenience.

7. Can I bring props to the photoshoot?

Absolutely! Props can add a personal touch to your photos and make them even more memorable. Let us know in advance if you plan to bring any props, so we can plan accordingly.

8. How long after the photoshoot will I receive my pictures?

We know you're excited to see your stunning photos! Our editing process typically takes between 1 to 2 weeks. Once your images are ready, we'll provide you with access to a secure online gallery to view, download, and share your cherished memories along with a print release.

9. What is your sick policy & what safety measures do you have in place?

Your safety is our top priority. We have a very STRICT sick policy to keep our customers and staff healthy and require ALL people in your party to be fever free for 48hrs without ANY active symptoms at our sessions. PLEASE DO NOT show up to a session if someone in your party is sick. We reserve the right to ask anyone displaying symptoms such as coughing or runny nose to reschedule their visit. We understand that kids can become sick without warning and that may happen the morning of your shoot. Our bookings are non-refundable but you can reschedule for any of our family-themed mini-sessions or use your credit toward a private photography session of your choice. We understand that seeing Santa at the Southern Santa Experience is something that you and your child will not want to miss but we do ask that you do not try to mask symptoms to be able to attend the event. We will work with you to try to reschedule a holiday family-themed Christmas shoot with you and your family when everyone is feeling better should you not be able to make one of the other dates. We maintain proper sanitation protocols during photoshoot sessions wiping down surfaces and cleaning props before each session. Our team will wear masks and maintains social distancing upon request. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, don't hesitate to contact us. We're here to make your photo shoot experience truly magical!

10. What happens if we are late or need to cancel or reschedule?  

If you see that you are going to be running late, text us and we will do our best to be sure that you still get your full session time. For our timed sessions like, The Southern Santa Experience, we will not be actively checking phones or emails as these days are very busy with timed sessions booked back to back. If you are more than 10 minutes late for your session you may have to forfeit your time or have your session time cut short. Bookings are non-refundable but if you give up advanced notice or your cancellation or you have an emergency, you can reschedule for any of our family-themed mini-sessions or use your credit toward a private photography session of your choice.  If you are a no-show to your session, you forfeit your rescheduling rights.

11. Can I come early?

We ask that you arrive  5 minutes before your scheduled appointment. Please do not come more than 5 minutes before your timed appointment as we need to set up in-between sessions. We ask that you arrive fully dressed and ready for your session. We do have a changing area and bathroom to check your final looks.

12. Can we bring a pet?

We do sometimes allow pets in our session but please keep in mind that if you are coming to a timed mini-session like, The Southern Santa Experience, time is limited and unless your pet is very trained, a pet can distract from the children’s time with Santa. Registered service dogs are the exception. Any pet, including service animals, must be very well trained, up to date on all vaccinations, freshly bathed, and recently treated for fleas. You will be asked to fill out a separate waiver to include any animal. Please contact us to discuss bringing a pet.

Additional Questions Answered for The Southern Santa Experience 

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13. Can we come with friends or multiple families come together?

For our child-only package, no. Due to the size of the set and the space needed for Santa, decorations, props, and the time for the children to interact with Santa, we only allow 2 adults to accompany a child/children from 1 family at a time for the child-only booking package. 

We do however have a family/group package that can accommodate larger parties. A bigger issue is that with a large group of children, specifically younger children, the one-time slot is not enough time for each child to be able to interact with Santa. 

14. Can we bring other family members or friends to watch the session?

Due to the size of the space, we only allow 2 adults to accompany the child/children to the studio. unless a family/group package was purchased.

15. Can we take photos or videos with our camera?

Yes only if you have selected the Experience Only package, you are welcome to take photos with your camera phone. No professional cameras will be allowed. If you chose a professional photography package we ask that you refrain from taking photos as this will distract the children from looking at the photographers camera. 

16. Can we bring a gift for Santa’s bag for our children?

Of course! Each child will receive a special gift from Santa's bag but if you wish to bring something more substantial, please bring the gift UNWRAPPED with a name tag on it. Place the UNWRAPPED gifts in a bag and present them to the elf greeter when you arrive. We will slip the gifts into Santa’s bag and they will get them near the end of their time with Santa.

17. Are parents allowed in the photos?

The child-only package is designed to be an interactive experience with Santa for children, capturing the candid magical moments they share with him and not a posed family photo. We do however give time at the end for a quick family portrait. If you wish to have more formal holiday photos with or without Santa with many posed family shots, please choose the family/group portrait package when booking which will allow for the extra time to capture the family photography.

18. Can the parents watch?

Absolutely, this experience is just as magical for a parent to watch, but we ask that you do so without interrupting the magical moments. Parents will have a viewing area inside the studio to watch all the magic unfold. We ask that parents turn off all cell phones ringers before entering the studio with Santa. We ask that parents refrain from giving directions to the children during their time with Santa. Santa and the photographer are all trained to work with the children and have an order that they will be doing things to conduct the experience smoothly to be sure that each child gets a chance to do all of the magical experiences with Santa within the timed window. Our goal is that the children will be focused on Santa and the magic that they are experiencing so we can capture all of those precious moments. If you would like to have family/group photography done with Santa or just the holiday set please choose the Family/Group package when booking which will allow for the extra time needed to be sure to capture all of the formal family photography moments.

19. What happens if my child is afraid of Santa? Is there an age requirement?

Who doesn't love the crying baby photo in Santa's lap? With babies, it is totally understandable that they will have stranger danger and may even cry during their time with Santa. Although there is no specific age requirement for the experience, children should be old enough to interact with Santa to enjoy everything that the experience comes with. The benefit of having a private session is that your child will have plenty of time to get comfortable with Santa (we do have a few tricks to help out) but if you know that you have a child that may be apprehensive or shy, please come appropriately dressed as both parents may be asked to sit next to their child if needed.  If there is one of your children that is upset or not enjoying the experience with Santa, we ask that one of the parents takes them outside of the studio so as to not disturb the enjoyment of the other children.