Paws, Claus, and Christmas Cheer with the McKoy Family: A Photo Session Full of Love and Laughter
Happy holidays!
Where do I even begin with the McKoy family? Picture this: it’s one of those classic Georgia afternoons where the temperature insists on pretending it’s summer despite the fact that Christmas is practically tapping us on the shoulder. I walk into the studio, filled with excitement for the Paws and Claus session—this adorable blend of family photos, kids, pets and, of course, Santa! Everything was perfect… until I accidentally spilled the beans that Santa was coming. Oops! There’s no coming back from a surprise Santa slip-up, but you know what? The joy that followed made the blunder completely worth it.
The McKoy family was pure kindness from the start. And though I feared I'd have to perform a miracle to get smiles from their youngest, who had just emerged from a post-car-nap, my worries evaporated the moment he stepped into the studio. You know that feeling when a kid just beams at you, and it’s as if the sun decided to set up camp inside the room? Yep, that’s what happened. His sweet smile could have melted even the iciest of hearts (not that there were any icicles around given that it was 90 degrees).
The McKoy Family with Santa and Mrs. Claus
Santa and Mrs. Claus, despite the heat, were nothing short of magical. It’s like they brought their own personal snow machine because somehow, in the middle of that warm afternoon, they made it feel like Christmas was right around the corner. The kids’ eyes lit up when they saw them. They weren’t even phased that I’d ruined the surprise earlier—Santa’s arrival was that exciting. There’s something about the spirit of Santa that makes even us adults feel like wide-eyed kids again, and let me tell you, they brought it!
Now, I can’t talk about this session without shouting out to Yo over at Grapefruit Photo for letting me use her beautiful studio. The setup was stunning, with a choice of backgrounds, festive props, and a scene that just screamed “holiday magic.” Not only did she let me use her space, but she even snapped a few shots of me doing what I love most—capturing those sweet family moments. It was one of those rare times I get to be on the other side of the camera, and I won’t lie, it felt pretty special.
(If you need a studio space in West Georgia, look no further!)
Watermelon Pie hard at work
So, back to the McKoy family. As soon as Santa was in the building, all worries I had about their youngest being tired, or the fact that I’d botched the surprise, completely disappeared. Their kids were all smiles, absolutely full of joy. I even caught a few sibling snuggles that were so genuine it made my heart swell. These weren’t those forced snuggles where you can see the “Mom made me do this” look in their eyes. Nope. These were the real deal. It was easy to see that this family is full of love, and honestly, it made my job so much easier. When people say, "the camera loves them," this is exactly what they mean.
And while we're on the topic of love, let’s talk about what these Paws and Claus sessions are really all about. Yes, we’re here to capture those perfect holiday moments, but it’s also about raising money for Strayz Craze Animal Rescue, a cause that’s near and dear to my heart. Every session helps provide food, shelter, and much-needed vet care for local stray animals. These sweet animals deserve to find homes where they can be loved and cared for, and I’m thrilled to be working with such a great organization to help make that happen. So, if you’re thinking about booking a session, just know you’ll be doing more than getting adorable holiday photos—you’ll be making a difference in the lives of animals who need it most.
Paws and Claus!
To sum it all up: Santa, sunshine, sweet smiles, and a whole lot of love—this Paws and Claus session with the McKoy family was one for the books. And while I may not have mastered the art of keeping secrets about Santa, the laughter, warmth, and joy in that studio made everything absolutely perfect.
Ready to create some holiday magic of your own? Book your Paws and Claus session through my website or click here: BOOK NOW. Help us support Strayz Craze and bring joy to both your family and some sweet fur-babies in need. I can't wait to see what magic we capture together!
