Frequently Asked Questions
A private 15 minute appointment including your choice of 3 images is $375.
Rich green or navy will look great on our set. Because Santa’s suit is red, we suggest only deep reds – lighter primary red clothing may appear orange relative to Santa’s suit. Comfortable and timeless pajamas are our favorite look – white night gowns (think Cindy Lou Who!) or solid color robes and slippers (like the Polar Express) are such a sweet look.
Book early – they will sell out. Keep an eye on your e-mail for information on how we customize your session and the specifics of how to prepare. Arrive to the studio and be photo-ready 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment.
The price is per immediate family. Cousins should book appointments back to back.
The address is Heartlove Photography 8258 Veterans Highway, Suite 1B, Millersville, MD 21108. We’re 20 minutes south of Baltimore and 20 minutes north of Annapolis in Anne Arundel County. Our studio is open by appointment only.
You will receive a private appointment with no spectators and little to no waiting. Our schedule is carefully set so that we almost never run behind. Your child will have a genuine interaction and conversation with Santa with our photographer documenting the whole event so they will not have to force a smile. Fearful children have time to warm up and we facilitate creative solutions that result in images you’ll love.
Your session includes 15 minutes of time with Santa and your choice of 3 full-resolution digital images downloaded from an online gallery. No physical product is included. No additional purchase is required. You will have an online gallery of at least 10 artfully edited images to choose from.
15 minutes. That’s plenty of time to hear a story, tinker with toys, Santa answers questions and asks what is on your child’s wishlist and more! Fearful children typically warm up in that amount of time. Older children may not stay for the entire 15 minutes.
Late arrivals will forfeit their time – we will stay on schedule for the day. Please plan for traffic and arrive early to the studio to get your child changed.
You’ll receive an emailed link to an online gallery of your retouched images approximately 1 week after your session with Santa.
There are many incredible photographers offering similar Santa Experiences and the standard model includes a session fee that does not include any images and an in-person ordering session to purchase printed images without the option for digital images.
Our Santa Experience DOES include 3 digital images. There’s no high-pressure sales appointment – you’ll view your images in your own home and have 10 days to make a decision if you’d like to order additional artwork or digital images. No need to come back to the studio or take up precious holiday-season time to have an ordering appointment.
You are not required to make a purchase from your online gallery however most families budget $500-800 for their digital image, print and album order.
Click here to view the complete price list. Prices are subject to change without notice.
Digital images are instantly downloaded to your device. Artwork orders including photographic prints, albums and wall art (canvas or frames) should arrive within 3-6 weeks of your order. Some products such as gift prints arrive very quickly – within 3-5 days – while albums take the longest to account for time in design. Please be mindful of our Christmas delivery cut off dates – generally December 1.
Jillian Mills is a professional photographer and owner of Heartlove Photography in Pasadena, MD with over 15 years of experience.
We carefully consider everyone’s individual needs and upon booking send a questionnaire requesting information about everyone attending your session in order to customize your experience.
We aim to be sensory friendly – we’re using constant LED lights (no flash!) and can make the space very quiet or fill the air with music.
The studio entrance is street level and wheel chair accessible.
All payments are non-refundable. Your deposit reserves our time therefore we do not refund cancellations at any time. If you need to reschedule, please contact us at least 48 hours prior to your appointment and we’ll do our best to accommodate you. Cancellations made within 48 hours of your appointment time will not be refunded nor rescheduled.
The only exception to this is illness or injury. If you or your children are ill, please do not keep your appointment and notify us of your intention to reschedule PRIOR to your scheduled appointment time and we’ll do our best to accommodate you when everyone is well.
No call/no shows will not be refunded nor rescheduled for any reason. If you do not contact us to let us know that you are not coming, we are unable to reserve additional time for you.
Cancellations at any time forfeit their deposit.
Rescheduling possible with at least 48 hours notice.
Last minute rescheduling possible in the case of illness or injury with notice prior to scheduled appointment time.
No call/no show will not be rescheduled or refunded for any reason and will be banned from future booking.
Your Santa Experience
A 15 minute private appointment with Santa includes your choice of 3 digital images in their full resolution, without watermark and with print release.
About 1 week after your session, you’ll receive an online gallery of at least 10 artfully retouched images. You can choose your 3 favorite images to download and purchase additional digital images, prints and products.
No additional purchase is required but most families budget $500-800 for their order.
$375
Why Stories with Santa?
We aim to provide a magical experience, gorgeous photographs and a quick turn around so your holiday memories can be enjoyed for years and generations to come!