Parents snap up sessions for socially distanced Santa photos
A TOOWOOMBA photographer is offering magical socially distanced Santa sessions this Christmas.
Business
Don't miss out on the headlines from Business. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The photography sessions have only just been announced and already parents are jumping at the opportunity to get their annual Christmas photos in a COVID-safe setting.
They are being hosted by Christie-Lee Johnston Photography, through her new business Holiday Minis.
Holiday Minis is a joint venture between Christie-Lee Johnston and Jennifer Horner who runs Jennifer Horner Photography in Brisbane.
The idea was to capture the magic of Christmas in a number of towns across the coast of Queensland but due to the current pandemic that has been put on hold and instead Ms Johnston is focusing on Toowoomba.
“This is the third year I have taken Santa photos and each year I get more families request a session,” she said.
“I didn’t have to make them a social distanced session with the rules in Queensland at the moment but I wanted to take out the extra risk and make families feel safe.”
To make the sessions as COVID-safe as possible Ms Johnston will be wearing a mask, there will be hand sanitiser available, Santa will change his gloves between each sitting, the 1.5m rule will be adhered to, there will be minimised props for the children to touch and all seating is able to be wiped down, so there will be no fabric.
The mini sessions are 10 minutes in length which gives children plenty of time to chat with Santa, and also get used to him if some children are scared at first.
With 18 sessions a day it also means sessions won’t overlap and there will be time in-between each for a full sanitisation and wipe down.
The magical backdrop was created by Ms Johnston with the creative help of her friend Ms Horner.
It features a workshop with Santa sitting at one end of the desk and the children at the other as they both play with toys together. There are also other props such as a wooden rocking horse.
Ms Johnston said the room can cater for up to three children with Santa, or if clients would like a family shot they can do so with the backdrop with the removal of Santa.
“I think it’s a tradition to get a photo with Santa, it’s always so exciting for children leading up to the holidays,” she said.
“I’ve made the sessions in November so that way people have time to get the photos turned into Christmas cards.”
Ms Johnston has won a string of awards in her photography career and was also named the best photographer in town in The Chronicle’s Best of Toowoomba 2019 series.
The mum-of-three specialises in newborn, baby, maternity and cake smash photography.
Ms Johnston put aside two days of Santa photos which sold out within days, and is open to doing another session if there is enough interest.
Sessions are $189 and includes three digital photos, and parents are welcome to buy more.
If you are interested in booking socially distanced Santa photos visit Christie-Lee Johnston Photography on Facebook, www.holidayminis.com.au or www.christieleejohnston.com.au.