30 Questions to ask Santa:

• Are you fully insured as a performer?

• Can you provide a background check?

• Are you willing to understand the story and play we need you for and are you willing to perform as needed without changing our story?

• Can you take instruction and constructive criticism?

• Are you teachable?

• Are you willing to be part of a "specific" play where we are capturing pictures as you interact with children?

• Can you work within the confines of our story and accept that many images will be taken without you or the child looking at the camera. (provide the Santa examples)

• Are you local and are you prepared to travel to a location if need be?

• How many years of experience do you have?

• Please expand on your experience....Home Visits, Mall, Parades or have your done photography sessions. If so, what kind?

• What would you do if you did not make a session or were late?

• Do you have a plain red Santa suit?

• Are you willing to wear or provide a different suit to fit the story?

• Do you bleach your beard and curl your mustache?

• Can you provide any props and toy bag during the session? If so, please name them.

• What is your session fee?

• Do you offer a reduced "Day Rate" fee?

• Are you willing to work in months other than December with a properly bleached beard and mustache?

• Are you willing to provide dates for our studio in advance?

• Are you willing to provide weekend dates?

• Do you smoke or drink? If so, you may not come to any performance with the smell of smoke and or alcohol.

• Can you do a session where you are not in charge and have limited lines?

• Are you willing to understand that your role is orchestrated and directed by the photographer/director.

• Are you willing to sign a contract provided by the studio with all details and copyright release?

• Are you willing to show up at least a half hour prior to the first session and from time to time earlier to view session images and go over ways to improve within the story?

• Can you do a session with a child with no touching (for example, hugging) unless authorized and requested by the parent?

• Are you on social media such as Facebook or Instagram?

• Will you allow me to post watermarked images from session and with parental approval onto your social media page or pages?

• How many days are you willing to work back to back?

• What other obligations do you have throughout the year?

Become the Talk of Your Community

You can become the talk of your community this Christmas and post fine art featuring children and Santa on your website if you do it correctly. There are several key factors however a professional Santa Claus is important to every client and all parents.

The imagination of a child.

Children will hear his sleigh bells and be writing letters to tell Kris Kringle of the next new toy they like and want for Christmas.

Saint Nick's round cheeks and "Ho Ho Ho" will call elves to make toys ready for his magical sleigh ride. To say all of this is part of folklore is an understatement. 

Fine Art Magical Santa Photography or Santa Pics?

Fine Art Christmas photography may start with Santa, however he will have a very specific role to play in your art and the play and Santa experience itself.

The way the play is conducted and followed by you (the director), your staff, the parents and Saint Nick, will be the difference between producing Santa pics with kids and breathtaking Fine Art Magical Santa Photography featuring wonder-of-a-child moments of folklore.

Fine Art Photography

As a professional photographer, it is your job to know the answer to all questions and be able to consistently tell a story and wonder of a child's emotion in every piece of Christmas fine art.

In Magical Santa Photography, kids cannot be simply standing with a disconnected expression and without a story or magical connection to Santa Claus.

Fine Art Christmas Photography requires more and it all begins with Saint Nick understanding your system and being willing to consistently follow it.

Santa or Mrs. Claus

Once you have this clarity and Santa experience/play system in place, parents will thank you for it and pay you for your efforts. Details matter when it comes to creating Fine Art Santa Photography and a child or children.

In the beginning, Mrs. Claus, elves and a sleigh will not be necessary. You simply need a Santa Claus to brand within your company and your Christmas Fine Art.

Time to Hire a Santa

So how do you hire a great performer who will follow your magical story and who kids will love? There is such a large family of Santa Claus performers. Who should you hire?

You could just pick one from Google, however you are better off to research and interview for a professional Santa.

This interview can be the difference between having successful fine art Christmas products and failing at Magical Santa Photography.

The Interview and Red Flags

The interview of each Santa will be very important to you, your team, your brand and company. Hiring an actor who wants to do his story instead of following your story and play could actually hurt your brand.

You may like the person, however settling on a Santa who does not follow your directive is a big RED FLAG! Your Sant interview should be professional and clearly explain your process and Santa's role within it.

If Santa can't get past these comments, maybe he is not the Santa for you. His visit/interview really should stop there.

Explain Your Brand

Once you explain your brand, art and products to Santa Claus, you need to clearly say to him in no uncertain terms that you are hiring a Santa to play a specific role in "your" play within "your" world.

There will be training and questions are welcome, however the job and role of Santa is just that specific to your instructions within your world.

Be Clear and To The Point

Be clear when you describe your story and needs to Santa, as qualified Santa's usually come with a great deal of training and experience.

He "needs" to hear you or maybe there is someone else who will fit the role and be easier to work with. There will be a sense that they know what is best for you and that you will like and should follow what they have to say.

Reprogramming May Be Required

This deep knowledge in what they know and how they have been a Santa for years can be a challenge for you. Remember this is "your" story and you have a product you must consistently create.

Not all Santa's will want to follow your plan or like your answers to their suggestions. With such deep knowledge you may in fact have to reprogram several habitual responses, such as looking into the camera with the children.

Coaching and Patience

These habits can run deep with any person who performs a character over and over. Your Santa may have been in his role for 20 to 30 years or more. They will need some coaching.

And they will most certainly require patience. They are mostly senior citizens. Some are hard of hearing and let's say, stubborn at times. (they have earned the right to be)

With that said, they are very kind and simply will require patience and understanding with learning something new.

What does an Experienced Santa Know?

Most Santa's for hire have deep experience with home visits with children, Christmas parades, visits with children in schools, corporate Christmas events, visits for Christmas Eve and through Santa academy training.

They also generally have the answer to any question a child can throw at them.

A pro Santa also knows all of the Christmas/Santa stories and can talk to kids non-stop. Many work with an amazing and talented Mrs. Claus, elves and photographers who have kids and Saint Nick look into the camera, smile and snap a pic.

This has been done and repeated over the course of decades. Children and this example and vision of Saint Nick are synonymous with Christmas from year to year.

Tradition and Habit.

Think of how this knowledge is ingrained into the family of Santa and the Santa Claus community. Their stories and beautiful knowledge will play out each and every Christmas and will continue to do so with children for decades into the future.

Kids around the world love telling Santa what presents they want for Christmas and want to be sure they are not on the naughty list. Just the idea of Santa Claus flying a team of Reindeer, is fixed in the minds of kids around the world. 

Valuable Knowledge but Not Necessarily What You Need.

So yes, Santa’s do know a lot of valuable information and kids will continue to ask for their favorite toy. Santa will forever be really important to communities and spread love to boys and girls over the course of each Christmas.

Seeing Santa Claus will always be a sign that Christmas is near and a bit more joy is in the air. Ask any child and they will seem just a bit happier when sharing their love of Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Respect Yet Not Exactly What is Required

Do not get me wrong, I love all of this and understand the depth of Santa's knowledge. Saint Nick is world class and his training is very appropriate for everything from a Christmas Eve visit to a parade to Mall Santa Pics.

The bulk of this knowledge is "not" what we need for Fine Art Magical Santa Photography and Art. Please understand this means no disrespect, however it is an important fact to understand.

Please do not be angry at me, I love the jolly old elf just as much as you do. I am simply an artist with a need to create a scenario that produces extraordinary storytelling.

The creation of nostalgic Magical Santa Photography is not guesswork when in the hands of a seasoned artist. It is preplanned and created at a very high level.

Storytelling, Design and Structure

When you sign any actor to a contract, they must get "your" story and needs into their head. They would not interview for a TV commercial and then feel free to act as they want. They would work with the director and think about their needs.

Saint Nick would absolutely follow the writing in the script and would get into the specifics of the story. If not, it would be a deal breaker to the director.

The Story is All Important

Saint Nick may not like this, but if he wants the job, he will work hard to address the details and think about what the director needs for the story within the commercial.

There may be no reindeer or smiles directed into the camera, or even a toy bag, but for the play/story to be completed properly, all actors and participants must have one vision in their head. In your world, he will not hear such questions as, "What does Santa say before he takes off?"

Understand The Role

Each must understand the story and their role. They must have a connection and sense of the flow and outcome from the beginning.

If anyone tries to take the play or story in a direction "they" think is best, the story and designed moments can be lost.

It is the responsibility of every person to get with the program and know their part. They are not free to do what they feel is best.

Story and Details first

So I ask every photographer to figure out their story and details first. Get them clear in their head and have them on paper prior to interviewing anyone to be an actor within "your" Fine Art Magical Santa play.

Do not be reserved and do be straight to the point. You will want to clearly get your idea and concept across to your entire team.

Clarity Breeds Success!

Clarity breeds success in any environment. Life is short, be clear about your needs and say them with confidence and conviction.

Be the director and provide leadership from the start. Answer everyone's questions so nothing is left to chance. You want to be able to post exquisite art with no disconnects.

Your Art Should Tell "Your" Story

Like all good storytelling art, your art should tell "your" story year after year. It should figure in your brand prominently and clearly be in all online posts. This becomes your brand is like a calling card online.

You can then show your artwork online and each post should leave the viewer wanting more so they will book their child for a session. The viewer will then want to get your number, visit your studio and get your art onto their walls.

Your goal is not for people to like your art, but to LOVE your art and the story it tells.

Not What You Say, But How You Say It.

In life, sometimes it is not what you say, but how you say it. This applies in interviews as well.

You can address issues tactfully, by having your own straight forward and scripted questions. However, think about how you present your questions and the tone you set from the beginning.

You want your interviewee to like you but also respect you from the start. I like to choose to be charming yet in charge. Be well dressed and have your environment part of  your entire brand.

Get to the Point

Remember, be very concise yet courteous so you will find the right actor who you will perform beautifully year after year.

You are not out to find your next best friend, however if done well you may find a great asset to your storytelling. Friendships can develop later.

Stay Focused as This Is Important

Stay focused on the task at hand. It is important that the person you hire really understands what you are about to create and can follow your instructions.

He does not have to like you but he does have to respect you. Liking you is a bonus and can have really big advantages.

Keep your comments tactful, professional and not aggressive. Being reserved during an interview is not showing good leadership.

Like any interview, review your writing prior and really know what and who you are looking for prior to beginning.

Will Santa Claus Be On Your Naughty List This Christmas Eve?

Once you have explained the Christmas art, play and products that you are going to create and Saint Nick has accepted your idea and creative direction, it is time to start asking questions.

By now, your applicant should know this is a story about reindeer, elves or Christmas as he knows it.

Listen Carefully

Listen carefully and write down the answers Mr. Claus presents. This could make or break the hire and could also put the big man on "your" naughty list.

This Q&A is really important and will give you a clear picture of their ability to follow instructions and act within your play/Santa experience.

A Tell Tale Red Flag Sign

If your Saint Nick applicant tries to overtake the conversation and tell you what he should do during a session or what "he" should wear, that is a huge RED FLAG.

Work with people who want to work with you. It is imperative to get the end artwork you need to provide your clients.

Learn Before You Hire

There are a number of things you really must find out when interviewing for your perfect jolly man in a big red suit.

The interview can only be successful and informative if you ask the correct questions. This list of queries will help you hire a performer while bringing clarity to all parties.

Do Not Settle

Do not settle on the first actor to come through the door. After several interviews, you may have the top two come back to meet with you again. Watch for things like punctuality, kindness and thoughtful behavior.

I cannot overemphasize the importance of this decision. Once you have the right individual there will be a harmony and respect that is built over time that is a thing of beauty.