Santa Session Information

Thank you for booking your Santa Session at Pingoy Portrait Studio!  We are so excited to see you!  Please read the page below for important information regarding your session.

What to Expect:

5 to 10 minutes before your session you will arrive at our studio and text 219-258-4747 that you have arrived. Please wait in the parking lot until we confirm that you can come up.  Once you enter our studio you will receive a warm welcome from our lovely Santa Elf greeter.  You can take off your jackets and get situated and once ready we will lead the children to a special door where the big man in red is waiting for them.  The look on their faces when we open the door is priceless!  Your child(ren) will then experience fun interactions at their private 15 minute session with Santa.  Following your session, you all will return to the waiting area while we upload and prepare your images for viewing (approx 10 minutes).  Once ready, parents will be called into the viewing room while the children stay in the waiting room to enjoy watching Christmas movies, snacks and water, fully supervised by our Santa Elf (receptionist) while you place your heirloom artwork order at your relaxed, adults only, ordering session.

More than just pictures with Santa…this is Art

We are a Fine Art portrait studio so we specialize in creating beautiful and timeless art pieces from photographs.  Our Wall Art, personalized Christmas storybook album, and Christmas Portraits are our best sellers and we know you will be astounded at how unique and one-of-a-kind they are!  These are pieces that can be treasured year after year capturing this special and fleeting moment in time where the beauty, innocence and magic of our children at Christmas time is captured!

Please view our video message.

Investment:

Although no purchase is necessary, most people fall in love with what we create which is truly unlike any other Santa pictures you have seen before.  We specialize in heirloom keepsake albums and portrait wall art.  This amazing portrait experience will transport your children through many magical memories with Santa! Therefore, you may opt to purchase some items as a remembrance of such a special occasion.  We are an award-winning studio with features on Good Morning America, ABC News, & WGN — once you see the artwork in person you will be amazed at the transformation, turning your child’s magical experience into works of art.

Our portraits start at $500, and our signature wall art start at $1,500. Some families spend $500, while others spend $5,000. We have a great selection of products that work for a variety of budgets and tastes, and have discounts up to 20% off for bundled collections.

We specialize in printed artwork, however digital image purchases are also an option.  Digital Images are also included as a gift with a purchase investment of any collection.

Additional Information:

We reserve the studio to only one family at a time so it is very important to be on time.  Once you arrive to the building please text us at 219-258-4747 from the parking lot and wait in your vehicle or in the hallway until we tell you we are ready for you to come in.  Please do not come into the studio until we have texted to do so, so we can make sure Santa is ready for you to walk in. 
This is a private session with Santa for your family alone so there will be no crowds around you. The studio space is wiped down and disinfected in between each session. The kids are able to relax and watch Christmas movies fully supervised in the waiting room while parents view the images and place their order.

FAQs

What should my children wear?:

We recommend solid colored Christmas Pajamas or formal Christmas outfits like gowns.  Off white, Deep reds and greens look great on our set.  We love nightgowns for the girls and bare feet or socks.

How much is the session fee?:

The session fee is $250 per immediate family.  Check out our FB or Website for any current promotions.  Artwork, prints and other items are not included in your session fee.  A typical investment could range from $1000-$2000.  However some spend less or more, or more depending on how many items they would like.

What is included in the session fee?:

-a private and exclusive session with Santa Claus (15 minutes of dedicated time with Santa)
-At least 5 different interactions with Santa (this is what makes your Storybook Album come to life!)
– your child’s name on the nice list
– a little surprise to take home
– supervised childcare while adults enter the theater room to view and order prints and products
-Donation to help support our charity fund for the Tim Tebow Foundation https://compassionatehope.org/.

No Prints or Digitals are included in the session fee.  Prints, Wall Art, Christmas Cards, and our all-time most popular product, the Storybook Album, are available for purchase at your ordering session which takes place immediately after your visit with Santa. Your children will be able to watch and enjoy Christmas movies fully supervised by our Santa Elf (receptionist) while you make your selections and place your order!  No purchase is necessary.

Do you sell a disk of images?:

We do not sell disks.  However if you go through our Create Your Own Collection, all of your digital images are given as a gift and are sent to you via download link completely complimentary.

Where are you located?:

We are located at 9321 Wicker Avenue, Saint John, Indiana 46373 in the same building as AVGO Restaurant.  Our studio is located on the 2nd floor to the left, next to the women’s bathroom.  Once you arrive to the parking lot please text us at 219-258-4747 to let us know and we will inform you once to come upstairs :).

What is the turn-around time for art pieces?:

Due to the custom nature of our printed artwork, production and shipment will take roughly 6-8 weeks.

What is your late/cancel/reschedule policy?:

Our sessions are booked back to back all day long with full schedules.  Because of this you must be on time for your appointment or risk forfeiting it.  You may reschedule if there is a date available for a $75 rescheduling fee.  Any reschedule must be done 14 days prior to your appointment.  The session is 100% non-refundable.  If you need to cancel your session for any reason you forfeit your session retainer.

How long will we be at your studio?:

We have allotted 1.5 – 2 hours for your family.  The first half is the experience with Santa and the second half is to view your images and make your selections.  We do not plan to get backed up but it can happen if a previous session is late or takes too long in the ordering room, etc.  This is why we cannot guarantee an appointment if you are late and why we ask that you come prepared to place your order.