“Why not do a white Santa? The Black Santa is fine, but couldn’t you do a white Santa, too?” It’s a question that has repeated in conversations with clients, colleagues, friends, and family. So - let’s take a moment to talk about this.

Imagine a world where every Santa your child sees looks just like them—a world where their heroes have faces that reflect their own. Depending on what you and your family looks like, that may take no imagination at all - but that’s not every family’s reality. There are kids in our community that are confronted daily with images of important people that they can almost never see themselves in. Representation is not just a buzzword; it’s a lifeline. It matters profoundly, especially for children who rarely see themselves in the figures they idolize. It’s about more than a photo; it’s about instilling confidence and affirming their importance in the world.

Now, picture Orange County, CA, where the population of Black individuals is just 1.7%, according to the US Census. For many Black children here, spotting someone who looks like them is more of a special event than a daily occurrence. You can count on one hand how many classmates reflect their identity, if any do at all. Parents have to actively seek out others in the community, such as with the OC Black Moms Facebook group, just to not feel isolated.

This is why Orange County is a Black Santa desert. It’s challenging enough to find photographers here who are skilled in capturing the beauty of darker skin tones, let alone with any experience in it at all. (And, yes, it’s different. Lighting 101 teaches us that dark absorbs light while lighter colors reflect it.) It’s even tougher to find a photographer who can handle mixed families, ensuring everyone looks their best. When many photographers aren’t or at most are rarely photographing Black people here, something relevant to that demographic - such as Black Santa - isn’t likely to even be on their minds.

Families on the hunt for Black Santa here have very few options. There is one at Disneyland, but it requires park tickets and offers “mall style” basic photos. You could drive up to LA to visit the Santa at the Crenshaw Mall for Christmas photos, but anyone in OC will be quick to let you know LA and Orange County are not as close as outsiders tend to think. Depending on traffic and where you are in the county, it can easily be a 1.5-2+ hour commute each way. Some families travel as far as San Diego in their search for a Santa that their children can see themselves in.

In a few previous years, there was a photographer who would use a Black Santa in a neighboring county, but he was relegated to the sidelines - which is extremely common when photographers do use a Black Santa. Their MAIN Santa is white, and there is a ‘click here’ if you want Black Santa photos link on the main Christmas photo page. It feels like a token gesture rather than true inclusion. In this desert, the “inclusive” Black Santa is like a mirage. At best, he’s thrown in like the side note token gesture of something inclusive. In practice, however, it’s the opposite.

I’m not going to lie, I did initially consider offering both—a white and a Black Santa—so clients could choose. But it didn’t sit right. After some reflection, I realized why. It felt like a relic of the ‘separate but equal’ era. Segregating clients based on appearance, scheduling separate dates and sections—it’s not just “giving options”; it’s unjust. A Santa who happens to be Black shouldn’t be a side note. If you have a day for white families and a day for Black families - no matter the intentions - you have a problem.

White kids can take a photo with a Black Santa just like Black kids can take a photo with a white Santa. When asked why he looks different, the answer is universal - it’s no different than explaining why the Santa in different malls, TV shows, movies, and commercials all look different. “Santa is magic, and he can look like anyone.”

Our Black Santa at Nekoda Mattox Photography IS Santa. He’s not an afterthought; he’s our main event. He’s a Santa everyone can enjoy and love. We don’t need another one. We’re helping solve the Black Santa desert in Orange County by creating a phenomenal local Christmas photo experience for families. We’re making it the best Santa experience in Southern California, full stop - a winter wonderland from the minute you step in the waiting room, the best professional Santa, and the experience captured as an heirloom quality art piece. No matter who your family is, this is not an experience to be missed.

Book your Santa photo session with Nekoda Mattox Photography, and let your family experience the magic of Santa this holiday season. Click HERE to find out more.

Actor headshots are meant to look natural - so many people new to the industry come to the conclusion that makeup and photo editing aren’t necessary - or even potentially taboo. They want to see what you really look like, right?

Not quite! When done correctly, hair, makeup, and professional photo editing work together to showcase your natural features, have a polished final headshot, and help you stand out in a positive way.

Light, natural makeup helps your skin look fresh, moisturized, and clear of temporary blemishes. You don’t want the casting director’s eyes to go straight to the pimple that inevitably happens the morning you need to go take your headshot, and it wouldn’t still be there when performance day happens. It’s completely normal and acceptable to have light makeup.

And yes - both men and women can wear makeup for a headshot. A professional artist will make it look like you aren’t wearing anything - so using their services for a polished look is completely gender neutral.

Light photo editing can also enhance the level of polish and professionalism in the headshot, and make sure eyes stay focused where they should be. It can remove distracting elements to keep the background clean, smooth clothing wrinkles, erase stray hairs, or make other small adjustments that work together for big impact on the final headshot. Taking a great headshot has everything to do with paying attention to details. Makeup and photo editing are two elements that are often overlooked, but play a significant role in getting a headshot that makes an impact.

I am so incredibly proud to announce that this portrait won bronze in an international, prestigious photography competition. This 12 year old girl had never done professional portraits before, and wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I provided the dress, location, and guidance - but I was so proud of how she truly opened up and became absolutely radiant during the process. She was an absolute natural. 

The Portrait Masters Awards judge every detail of a portrait - expression, styling, color harmony, lighting, composition - and even down to what a portrait communicates to a viewer - the feelings and stories it expresses. To be judged on a global scale, amongst other phenomenal artists from around the world and thousands of entries, and to be ranked at bronze is an honor and accomplishment that can’t entirely be put to words. Thank you to my amazing clients - you enspire me, every day, to continue to create and be better than the day before.