What My Son Said About Black Santa—And Why It Changed Everything
May 31, 2025
The Moment That Made Black Santa Real
I didn’t think my then five-year-old son cared about Santa.
He didn’t write letters. He didn’t ask for Santa photos. Every year, I’d gently offer—and every year, he’d shrug. So I let it go.
Then, one quiet afternoon, I was scrolling through local Santas on my phone—
And there he was. A Black Santa on my screen.
My son froze.
His eyes widened.
And then, he whispered:
“Mom… why does Santa look like that?”
I paused, then looked over at him. I knew exactly what he meant.
“Santa is magic. He can look like anyone.”
Something shifted in his face.
Not just joy—recognition.
The biggest smile appeared as he looked back at Santa.
He spent the next hour scrolling every bit of Black Santa he could find.
My little boy, who never cared about Santa before.
That moment stayed with me. It echoed.
Because it wasn’t really about Santa.
It was about how deeply children need to see themselves in the stories we tell—in the wonder, in the traditions, in the memory-making.
Why Representation Matters in Holiday Portraits
That conversation is what sparked this entire experience.
Not just the idea of a “Black Santa option.”
Not a checkbox tucked under someone else’s booking page.
But a whole experience—designed from the ground up with Black children at the center.
Because this Santa isn’t a stand-in.
He’s not the ‘other’ option.
He is the Santa.
What Makes These Black Santa Sessions Different
These sessions were born from my own family.
From the way representation lit something inside my son—something I hadn’t even realized had been waiting to be seen.
We surround our babies with their reflection.
We prioritize ensuring they are confident in who they are, with a strong Black community they can draw on for knowledge, culture, and support.
But this?
This was a different kind of spark.
One that touched something ancient and deep.
These sessions aren’t rushed, fluorescent mall setups.
They aren’t the backup option to appease a token representation checkbox.
They’re quiet, cozy Black Santa portraits wrapped in warmth and story.
Your children will:
- Read books with Santa
- Decorate cookies
- Take a peek at the Naughty & Nice list
- Share giggles, whispers, and wonder
And when it’s all done—
Their joy will be wrapped in a handcrafted heirloom storybook told in poetry and portraiture.
This is more than a holiday photo session.
It’s a story they’ll carry.
This Isn’t Just a Portrait. It’s Proof of Belonging.
One day, they’ll pull that album off the shelf and show their own children.
They’ll point and say, “That’s me—with Santa.”
And it won’t feel like something they were invited into at the last minute.
It will feel like something they were always part of.
Because they were.
They are the magic, too.
A Special Thank You to Black Santa Myk
The Santa my son saw that day—the one who lit up his world—is a real man with a real heart: Black Santa Myk.
Kind, patient, and full of joy, he isn’t just in costume—he’s fully in character, embodying the magic with soul and care.
We’re so lucky to work with him again this year. He’s not just a Santa.
He’s our Santa.
📬 Want Early Access?
Be the first to know when booking opens for our heirloom Black Santa sessions. Just send us an email and let us know you’d like to be on the mailing list.