If you are new to the studio or need a refreseher
Common asked questions & important behind the scenes stuff you need to know.
👹 WHAT IF MY CHILD or SPOUSE IS SCARED?
Honestly? That might make the best photo.
Santa and Krampus can be a little intimidating to a tiny human, and that’s okay!
We don't force smiles, poses or interaction. I take my cues from your child and capture what actually happens. Maybe they’re laughing. Maybe they’re crying. Maybe they want to stare at Krampus from a safe distance. Maybe they decide Krampus is their new best friend and want to play.
Whatever happens, we capture it.
This is lifestyle photography, not a forced “say cheese” session. You may get a smile, a stare, a laugh, a little fear, or some wonderfully chaotic combination of all of it.
And yes — adults are welcome to get in on the fun too!
We got you!
01.
🧸 SENSORY CONCERNS?
This experience is designed to be much calmer than a typical mall Santa visit.
You are the only family being photographed during your session. There are no crowds of strangers watching, no long lines and no busy indoor environment.
We are outdoors, surrounded by fresh air and nature. The goal is to make this an experience that works for children of all ages, neurodiverse children, children with sensory concerns, and adults who aren't exactly thrilled about sitting on Santa's lap either.
Your child does not have to interact with either character in a specific way.
We meet them where they are.
02.
🎅 DO WE HAVE TO SIT ON SANTA OR KRAMPUS' LAP?
Absolutely not.
This isn't the mall.
You won't be plopped onto a stranger's lap and told to smile.
The photos are about interaction and connection, so you may see only pieces of Santa or Krampus, a hand, an arm, their legs, a silhouette, or their whole body.
- Shy kids? We've got you.
- Kids who want to run straight up to Krampus? We've got you.
- Adults who have always wanted a ridiculous Christmas photo with Krampus? HECK YES.
03.
📸 THIS IS LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY
I don't guarantee smiles and that's intentional.
My job is to capture the experience as it unfolds. I will guide you, help with posing when needed and make sure you're looking your best, but I won't force a child into a pose or interaction that doesn't feel right to them.
With 19 years behind the camera, you're getting my experience, creativity and knowledge throughout your session. I personally photograph and edit every session. I don't outsource your photography.
I hand-select the final images and personally edit every photograph that makes the cut, including those little details like flyaway hairs, unfortunate broccoli-in-the-teeth moments and that one pimple that decided to make an appearance for Christmas.
I hate to say it, but some times a child will give me one look, I can't capture that in multiple ways. Please choose your package according to your child.
04.
🎄 MAKE IT YOUR OWN
Limited props will be available, but you're absolutely welcome to bring your own.
Some ideas:
• Matching Christmas PJs or hats
• Ugly Christmas sweaters
• Matching plaid
• Sports jerseys or equipment
• Hockey or outdoor sports gear
• Your favourite stuffed animals
• Outdoor Christmas décor
• Wreaths
• String lights
• Food or drink-themed props
• Your family pet
• A completely ridiculous family theme
• An awkward 1980s Sears-style family portrait
• Or whatever wonderfully weird idea you come up with!
And yes, pets are welcome too. They must be friendly and kept on a leash. For everyone's safety, furry friends only, please, lizards and snakes are not my personal love language. 😂
🌲 THE NITTY GRITTY
Because Christmas chaos is fun. Surprises about your session details? Not so much.
ONE FAMILY AT A TIME
Your session is private. You are the only family being photographed during your scheduled time. Please don't bring a crowd of people to watch. Extra spectators can make the experience stressful, especially for children.
PLEASE BE ON TIME
Sessions are timed and will not run over, so please arrive ready to go.
If you arrive early, please wait in your warm vehicle until I come get you. I may still be photographing the family before you, and they deserve my full attention.
OUTDOOR SESSION
This is an outdoor experience, so please dress appropriately for the weather.
We are on a natural path so please make sure you are in shoes that can handle puddles or snow. There are no bathrooms or private changing areas at the location. Please use the facilities before you leave home. We will photograph down a natural path, so there may be wildlife. Please dress appropriately and keep pets leashed. Sessions will proceed down to -12°C.
Hard rain, severe weather or temperatures below -12°C will result in cancellation or rescheduling by the studio.
SICK? PLEASE STAY HOME.
If you or anyone in your group becomes sick, you will need to cancel your session. Your retainer remains non-refundable and non-transferable.
💰 BOOKING & PAYMENT
• All sessions must be booked in advance.
• No drop-ins.
• $50 non-refundable, non-transferable retainer is required to reserve your session.
• The retainer is applied toward your total session fee.
• The remaining balance must be paid in full before your digital images are released.
• Your session is not considered fully booked until the required payment has been received.
The retainer policy exists because availability is extremely limited and last-minute cancellations and no-shows prevent someone else from taking that spot.
📥 YOUR PHOTOS
- Your finished images will be delivered as fully enhanced, high-resolution and low-resolution JPEG digital files.
- No watermarks.
- High-resolution files are suitable for printing, while low-resolution files are perfect for sharing online or emailing Grandma.
- A print release is included.
- I personally select the images that make the final gallery and edit each one myself.
- Your gallery will be delivered within approximately 1–2 weeks through a password-protected page on my website.
✨ WANT SOMETHING EXTRA?
- Your package includes my standard professional editing.
- If you'd like additional Photoshop work beyond the normal editing included with your session, such as adding/removing significant elements, changing the sky or creating something outside the original photograph, additional editing is available at $35 per image/edit/editing hour.
Additional editing requests are subject to photographer approval.
🌨️ WHAT IF THE STUDIO HAS TO CANCEL?
Mother Nature and the photographer occasionally have other plans.
The studio may cancel or reschedule due to:
• Photographer illness
• Severe weather, including snow or hard rain
• Temperatures below -12°C
• Circumstances beyond the photographer's reasonable control
If the studio cancels your session, 100% of the amount you have paid will be refunded.
Please watch the Photography by Heather Palmer Facebook page and Instagram Stories for updates regarding cancellations, emergencies or any other unexpected Christmas chaos.
📸 THE LEGAL STUFF
SMILES, TEARS & EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN
The client agrees to cheerful cooperation and communication to achieve the best possible result within the scope of the photography assignment.
Photography by Heather Palmer cannot guarantee smiles, cooperation or specific poses. The photographer is not responsible for missed or unusable images resulting from a child or other participant failing to cooperate, refusing to participate, being distracted, closing their eyes, becoming upset, or circumstances outside the photographer's control.
Parents or legal guardians are responsible for supervising and encouraging their children throughout the session.
Photography by Heather Palmer is not responsible for damage to equipment, property or the location caused by the client or any member of the client's group. Any resulting costs are the responsibility of the client.
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WHAT IMAGES WILL I RECEIVE?
Photography by Heather Palmer determines which images are selected for the client's final gallery. Unedited or RAW images that do not make the final selection will not be provided, displayed, distributed or sold.
All photographs, digital files and prints remain the intellectual property of Photography by Heather Palmer.
Digital images are licensed to the client for personal use only, including personal printing and sharing with family and friends. Digital images may also be shared on personal social media accounts.
Commercial or business use is prohibited without written permission.
Images may not be altered, edited, cropped, have filters or text added, reproduced for commercial purposes, entered into competitions, sold, distributed or otherwise modified without written permission from Photography by Heather Palmer.
For permission to use images for purposes beyond personal use, please contact Photography by Heather Palmer.
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📸 CAN YOU USE OUR PHOTOS?
By booking this experience, you consent to Photography by Heather Palmer using photographs taken during the session for lawful business purposes, including advertising, social media, website content, portfolio, blog posts, exhibitions, editorial use and promotional materials, with or without your name.
You will not receive monetary compensation for such use.
If a parent or legal guardian does not want their child's likeness used online or for promotional purposes, this must be indicated in the contract signed on the day of the session. That request will be respected.
You also agree not to submit photographs taken by Photography by Heather Palmer for publication elsewhere without written permission.
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📷 WHAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO THE EQUIPEMENT OR HEATHER?
Photography involves equipment, technology and occasionally things that are completely outside anyone's control.
If Photography by Heather Palmer is unable to perform due to fire, casualty, severe weather, illness, equipment failure, lost or stolen images, memory card failure, computer failure, or another circumstance beyond the photographer's reasonable control, all monies paid by the client will be refunded in full, and the contract will become null and void.
If the photographer is unable to fully perform for another reason, liability will not exceed the amount paid for the client's package.
If only a portion of the images are lost, any refund will be prorated based on the estimated percentage of original images lost.
Photography by Heather Palmer will not break or bend any laws, rules or bylaws to accommodate a specific photograph.
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👹 ONE LAST THING...
We cannot guarantee smiles.
We can guarantee that I will be there with my camera, my experience and a willingness to capture whatever happens between you, your family, Santa and Krampus.
Maybe your kid will laugh.
Maybe they'll cry.
Maybe they'll hide behind you.
Maybe they'll try to befriend Krampus.
Maybe Santa will have to intervene.
STill Got Questions?
Email the studio today
madebyheather@shaw.ca