08/26/2026
Alright guys. This one's scary to post.
But I need to speak very transparently for a minute.
In April, I announced a very special type of āminiā session that I have poured my whole heart into, and I cannot figure out why bookings have been so slow.
This will not make or break my studio, but it is something I truly love. If things donāt change, I likely wonāt be able to offer it again. So, at the risk of being too vulnerable, Iām asking for honest feedback: whatās going through your mind?
Quick backstory:
Over this past year, I have built what I hoped would feel like a true childhood experience, not just another Santa picture.
I didnāt want any Santa. I wanted Papa NoĆ«l. A character children could believe in. So I brought in Hick Cheramie, a professional SAG-AFTRA actor from this area with the perfect custom suit and down-the-bayou accent. He can take a little note from Mom, āsheās proud of learning to read,ā and naturally work it into conversation so that child feels seen.
That matters to me.
So much care has gone into every piece of this and while Iād love to give you reasons to our decisions (like: why weāre shooting in September and not closer to Christmas), I wonāt bore you with details you havenāt requested.
And yet⦠books opened in April, and bookings have been dismal.
Iāve tried flyers, posters, reels, behind-the-scenes videos, product videos, school newsletters, donations back to our school, social media ads⦠everything I can think of.
I even thought maybe the full experience felt like too much, so I created a simple 5-minute option with two digitals. Still slow.
At this point, the production is coming out of my savings, and I need to stop guessing.
So Iām asking you point blank: what is the deterrent?
My job as a business owner is to listen to what people want and create something that serves them well⦠but I canāt fix what I donāt understand. And yes, if these sessions donāt pick up, I probably wonāt be able to do them again next year and thatās the part does make me emotional, because the children who modeled for me in March are STILL talking about it today. One ran into the studio recently saying, āI can still smell Mrs. Clausās cookies!ā My own little boy asked if he could hug Papa NoĆ«l. Thatās the kind of magic Iām trying to create.
So please, be honest with me. Iām a real person asking a real question. I can take constructive feedback; I just ask that you be respectful in the process. Thanks, guys.
Book Santa photos in Thibodaux, Louisiana. A private Papa Noƫl experience with heirloom portraits, cookies, story time, and magical Christmas memories.