M A R Y & S A N T A

The heart behind the magic.

The magic begins long before your family steps into the studio. It starts with an idea, a carefully chosen detail, and the hope of creating something your children will remember.

Mary and Santa work as a team to bring your Christmas story to life. Mary creates and styles each setting, and together they coordinate Santa’s wardrobe, plan the experience, and make room for the moments that feel like your family.

A L I T T L E T E A M W O R K . A L O T O F H E A R T.

We set the scene.
Your family brings the story.

Mary dreams up the setting and watches for the moments worth keeping. Santa brings the familiar Christmas presence children have been waiting to meet. Together, they make room for wishes, conversation, and the little expressions that tell their own story.

Some children arrive with a whole list to share. Others begin with a quiet look. The hope is that the photographs feel like your child, and that the memory belongs to your family.

M A R Y P U R D Y

The Heart Behind the Set

When I choose a Santa setting, I think about the feeling I want families to have when they walk into the studio. A little nostalgia, a little wonder, and the sense that they’ve stepped into a Christmas story. That feeling guides the backdrop, the colors, and the details I bring together.

The backdrop is only the beginning. I search antique stores for pieces with character, create one-of-a-kind props, and thoughtfully arrange the textures, greenery, and warm lights that make the scene feel special. I want the little details to work together, from Santa’s chair to the treasures a child might notice nearby.

I also think about how the setting will come to life with Santa and your family in it. The props help tell the story, but they leave room for the moments that happen naturally: a wish shared, a curious look, a little burst of laughter. Creating that space, and capturing the magic you bring to it, is the heart of my holiday work.

I also thoughtfully select complete outfits for clients to use, including dresses, shoes, and accessories that complement the Christmas settings. Wardrobe pieces are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and sizes and styles are limited.

Santa and I also coordinate his wardrobe to complement each set he participates in, so his outfit feels like part of the Christmas story we’re creating together.

S A N T A

The Magic Behind the Visit

Behind the real beard and familiar red suit is a dad, grandfather, military veteran, and longtime member of the community who has spent more than three decades creating Christmas magic.

Santa first put on the red suit in 1990 after receiving a charitable request to deliver presents to a young girl with special needs. That meaningful visit inspired him to continue the tradition, and for the past 36 years, he has brought love, joy, and Christmas spirit to children and families near and far.

His journey has included visits with children at a local Maryland special-needs schools, a DreamWorks adventure in Arlington, Texas, and appearances at White Marsh and Towson Town Center. He was also the first Santa to appear at Six Flags America. Following the devastating storm in Puerto Rico, he traveled to San Juan in 2017 to spend time with families during their recovery and returned in 2019.

Santa has appeared in the documentary “And They Wore Red,” on several television news programs, and in a commercial. He continues to volunteer with local charities and schools and has attended professional training events, including Santa University in Colorado, to strengthen his craft and make every visit feel authentic and memorable.

When he is not tending to his Santa duties, you may find him working on a farm. Christmas is a family tradition for him, and his wife often joins him as Mrs. Claus at special events.

At Mary Purdy Photography, Santa and I work together to create an experience that feels warm, personal, and full of wonder. I thoughtfully design each setting, and together we coordinate his wardrobe to complement every detail.