FAQ
“We experienced “The Best Santa Experience” this past weekend and it truly was THE BEST. Looking through the amazing photos and advertisements just doesn’t compare to how truly amazing the real thing was. I can’t express enough how this is truly an experience….you walk into this home/studio and you immediately slide into Christmas.
From the costumes, the decor, the family “lounge” filled with refreshments and such a warm, happy feeling. The kids LOVED it. And then…everyone meets Santa (who did such a fantastic job). It kept the kids entertained (all ages: 8 mos, 7, and 11) and even when the little one was a little scared, they were patient and worked with us, allowing him time to become more comfortable.
There was a moment when this mama definitely had tears of joy in her eyes watching those kiddos experience this. It was the best and we created some pretty fabulous memories. THANK YOU, THANK YOU for everything!!” – Devin M.
Our sessions are booked back to back all day long with one hour set aside, from start to finish, for your family. Please arrive 5 to 10 minutes prior to your session dressed and ready for your visit. Come a bit earlier if you wish to dress the kids when you arrive.
Upon your arrival, your child will receive his or her own 45 to 50-minute private appointment with Santa, giving them a real chance to visit with the man in red.
We will include as many activities with Santa Claus as time permits. Including many of the following activities:
First off, your child should bring their very own wish list to give to Santa Claus. He really loves to go over it with them in person!
They will be in awe of Santa’s Magic Globe, and Kris Kringle’s Magic Storybook and they will be excited to discover what’s in his Magic Toy Bag. They will also be checking to see if they are on “The Nice List” too!
There will also be milk and cookies to toast the holidays with Santa Claus. And there’s also a really good chance that Santa will give them a quick ride on his Magic Flying Sled! Who knows, you might get to take on a trip on that crazy sled too!
Somewhere in there, there is a good chance that everyone might partake in a Magic Snowball Fight too!
Then, when it’s almost time for Santa to say goodbye, he’ll give each child a present bag too! Then we’ll all share some treats together in our meeting room while we set up your image viewing appointment for a date not too far down the road.
Besides the truly amazing Santa Claus experience itself, our entire Santa set has been light painted. Light painting photography brings out subtle details like no other type of photography can. Michael is one of a very small number of photographers in the world that utilize this lighting technique. And no other studio in the world light paints their Santa sets.
That light painting will be blended with the full-scene images we create of your children. The results are unlike any Santa Claus photos that you’ve ever seen!
When you visit The Best Santa Experience at Michael Anderson Photography, you are getting much more than just pictures with Santa Claus, you are getting memories that will truly last a lifetime.
Whether you select one of our beautiful art pieces, or our highly sought after Santa Storybooks, or both, these images will capture amazing memories of those who are most important in your life; your family and your children.
We happily accept kids of all ages from newborns to 104.
Please bring a check for $75 (or more) made out to Cystic Fibrosis. A cash donation is fine too.
We want to avoid any sales tax and other tax implications (and credit card fees). We simply want to pass your money on to CF and not have it go through our bank.
In addition, “Elves” Joannie and Michael will be donating a portion of your product purchase to Cystic Fibrosis as well. Every year we raise thousands of dollars for CF in memory of our Goddaughter, Lindsey, who lost her battle with Cystic Fibrosis in June 2022.
Because Santa’s Magic shows up better, we recommend solid-colored clothing, deep reds, and greens will look awesome. We also love Christmas pajamas in pretty much all of our sets. But in reality, any Christmas outfit will be pretty darn cute!
It’s also important to note that Santa always asks for a group photo to show to Mrs. Claus at the North Pole! So it would be a good idea to select clothing for the rest of your group to wear as well.
Six cute cousins visit with Kris Kringle and share milk and cookies!
There’s also a very good chance that you’ll ask Elf Micheal to use that group photo as part of your Christmas Card design, and also in your custom-written Santa Storybook, so you might as well be happy with what you’re wearing too!
The answer to this question is one of the main reasons that we have long sessions with Santa Claus! It is so that all kids can warm up to Santa and still have some quality time once they’re comfortable.
If you think your child needs a little extra warm-up time, please let us know before you enter the studio and we’ll keep Santa out feeding his reindeer until we think it’s okay for your child to slowly meet him.
In extreme cases, you might sit in Santa’s spot and we’ll swap you with Santa via “Elf Michael’s Magic” afterward.
Please check out the short video below to see some of the “Elf Michael Magic” that has been done for some timid kids in the past.
Assuming that you arrive for your appointment on time, your family will spend about 50 minutes with Santa Claus! That is enough time for even the shyest of children will warm up and become friends with Saint Nick!
A few days before, gather everything you plan to bring. If you must cut your child’s hair, do so a week or two before the event. If possible, plan your session during a time that corresponds with your smallest child’s “best time”.
Santa almost always requests a group photo to show to Mrs. Claus. So we highly recommend that you select clothing for the adults in your party that goes nicely with what your kids are wearing. We’ve had entire families in matching Christmas pajamas and it looks fantastic!
An extended family portrait, with everyone in their matching Christmas pajamas, with Santa Claus under the Aurora Borealis in Santa’s Enchanted Forest!
Don’t forget your kid’s letters to Santa! We have a special mailbox for those and Santa really does love to read them!
When you arrive, take a deep calming breath and trust us. We’ve been doing this a long time and we know what we’re doing. Our goal is to not only give you amazing artwork but a great Santa experience as well. Just sit back and watch the magic unfold.
Yes. Your Session Fee is for one family only.
The session price is all-inclusive for your immediate family. If you would like images of extended family, like a cousin’s picture for Grandma, please book your two families back to back and we’ll do a combined group shot at no additional charge. However, each family unit must reserve its own session.
Please contact us before making your online reservations if you have more than two families involved.
Since this is also a charity fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis, we ask that each family also bring cash or a check in the amount of $75 (or more) written out to Cystic Fibrosis.
We have clients that invest $500 and we have clients that invest significantly more. Most families find that they can’t spend less than $1,700 and still get everything they really want (one of our custom-written family heirloom Christmas Storybooks).
Our “Create Your Own Collection” (CYOC) is by far the best way to get all of the images you desire at the very best value.
For further support or to inquire about our payment plans, please give us a call at 763-785-1177.
No, not really. We specialize in beautiful one-of-a-kind Santa Artwork and custom-written Heirloom Santa Storybook Albums. However, if you really want digital files you can purchase them for $250 each.
Please be advised that a minimum investment of $800 in artwork or files is required to purchase any digital files.
However, if you select our Create Your Own Collection option, all the images you choose for your collection will be included as digital files as well for free!
Perhaps you’d like to use your child’s Santa session to reveal that you’re expecting another child! Or maybe even a magical proposal to take place during your session!
Do you have a treasured family heirloom that you’d like to have your child pictured with during his/her session? Please bring it!
Please let us know ahead of time, and we’ll do everything we can to create something special for you!
Our home-based studio is located in Mounds View, Minnesota.
We’re about 15 minutes north of both Minneapolis and St. Paul, about a mile west of 35W off Highway 10.
You must be on time for your session or risk forfeiting it. Our sessions are booked back to back all day long and we operate at full capacity. We simply cannot make someone else wait if you are not on time.
You may reschedule (online) if there still is an open date available. Any reschedule requests must be done at least 7 days prior to your appointment. The Reservation Fee is 100% non-refundable. If you need to cancel your session for any reason you will forfeit your Reservation Fee.
Yes, we are able to work with special needs children. Please be advised that our home-based studio is a split entry, and the waiting room and camera room are separated by stairs. Unfortunately, there is no alternative entrance.
You will make an appointment to view your images at a later date (usually within a week) immediately following your session with Santa.
Your viewing session is for adults only (infants are fine). Kids will be very bored at the image viewing and we don’t want them to see any images without “Santa Magic” applied (which won’t be done until after you have selected your favorites).
It is very important that all decision-makers be present at this appointment as there is no other way for you to view your images.
Christmas cards are always designed and ordered first so that you can have them mailed out in a timely manner. Your stunning Santa Artwork will be ready a few weeks after your viewing appointment. Your Heirloom Santa Storybook might be a week or so longer.
We have a minimum investment of $500 required, not including the Session Fee.
Please feel free to reach out to Michael via e-mail at [email protected] or by studio telephone at 763-785-1177.
It is important to note that the studio phone number is a landline, so texting will not work.
“The Best Santa Experience…….what can I say! The time and effort that goes into orchestrating this each year is phenomenal.
The result is quality time with Santa and his elves (Michael and Joannie) and quality photos as memories for years to come. Highly recommended!” – Peggy S.