A unique Santa photo experience for Long Island families

Nearly 500 Long Island families took part in a new Christmas photo tradition this year.

Babylon photographer Kristen Pitre created “The Santa Experience,” a one-on-one, family meet-and-greet with Santa in her studio. As the kids enjoy interacting with Old St. Nick, Pitre captures each moment, snapping candid pictures for a memorable experience.

“It’s been a dream of mine since I was 12 years old,” said Pitre. “My sister and I are six years apart, and one year, she came home from school before Christmas break upset that friends told her Santa wasn’t real. Unfortunately, she believed them, but I couldn’t let that happen.”

With help from their dad, she went on a Santa costume search, and, on Christmas Eve, their dad set out to make his daughter believe once again.

“My dad gently rang his bells to give me the cue he was ready,” she said. “I woke up my sister and we ran down the stairs yelling ‘He’s here and he’s real!’ We quickly ran back upstairs before he could see us. Meanwhile, my grandmother had taken pictures so my sister was able to prove to her friends that Santa was indeed real.”

The Santa Experience is quite different from meeting Santa at the mall or other places. Kids get to spend time “hanging out” with Old St. Nick. Little ones will read from Santa’s book, see his or her name on Santa’s nice list, find the North Pole on Santa’s globe, give Santa a wish list, enjoy cookies and milk with him and much more.

“Norman Rockwell’s paintings inspire me,” Pitre said. “I wanted a classic Christmas feel that would evoke memories from a simpler time and create timeless imagery for families to cherish for years to come.”

Although the sessions are sold out for this year, visit santaexperience.info to be added to the waiting list. Prices begin at $125 for a 15-minute session with five digital uploads.