2008 Santa Claus Photos at Yorkdale Mall Toronto
I was a bit disappointed at the photos we took with Santa Claus this year at Yorkdale Mall. Santa was in a horrible mood – he wasn’t jolly, he wasn’t grinning, he didn’t even seem happy. I would hate to think that this Santa Claus was being Santa for the sake of a pay cheque and not the happiness of the children. He didn’t even ask Vanessa what she wanted for Christmas – although I must say he looks rather jolly in the photos.
To be quite honest, as a first time experience for both my children, it sucked. The service people (whom were made of high-school looking boys) were hardly experienced in dealing with children. The camera man (who was a kid) hadn’t the slightess clue on how to attract children to look at the camera, much less how to make them laugh. In the end, I had to carry Vanessa because she was so freaked out that mommy had to be included in the photo. As well, my mother was making noises to make them look and laugh, hence the few photos where they seem to be staring off into space.
The photos are done by a company called FOTONOW and the cheapest package you can purchase is $14.95 CAD for 1 x 8″x10″ photo. Everything else increases by about $2 thereafter. Even to get a CD done (max 3 poses per CD) is $22.95 CAD and everything is with tax included – wow, that’s almost $7 a DIGITAL PHOTO?
A few suggestions to Yorkdale Mall in the future to improve their Santa booth:
- Get a professional camera man who knows how to take photos of children. You guys may have the right equipment, but without the right dude behind it, the photos are worthless
- Get a better Santa. I don’t want to be paying the price I pay at a premium mall for a crap Santa
- Get happier staff – the whole lot seemed like a bunch of disgruntled postal workers
- The background doesn’t feel very Christmas like – it could just be Santa in the middle of summer in someone’s library
Granted the mall does a fabulous job with the decorations. My children were impressed with the lights and dancing robotic Santas and in general, the mall is still a pretty good walk – I just won’t be visiting Santa anymore in the next few years to come.
If you are considering to go, go early. We were #2 in line when they opened at 10:30 AM and were in line for about 10 minutes before hand. I would imagine that during peak hours it will get very crowded.
I’ve posted our photos above for your review. I’ll say that I’m not too impressed – and we didn’t pick ANY of them to be developed. Infact, the only reason I purchased the soft copies was because I figured it was only fair that I do pay for their effort and being a first time Santa experience, we should keep the memories.
Thank you so much for your input. I’m actually trying to find a good place to get our Santa photos done + now I won’t waste valuable time going to Yorkdale!
Thanks Lisa…I was planning to take the kids today to Yorkdale. I must say the set up is very impressive (compared to Bayview Village – ugh..how dated!). I’m thinking twice. I don’t think the camera dude at Bayview was any better. Having said that, I think your pictures worked out nicely. The kids look natural and not stiffly posed. And at least the background is attractive. Santa was grumpy…LOL…reminds me of years past when I ran a Breakfast with Santa program at a large dept. store….and Santa came in hungover. Well, I see if we end up going!
Sonya, surprised that Bayview Village would be outdated! Thanks about the pics, will keep them on file for the kids in the future. Yorkdale is still a good mall to walk – lots to see and they have wicked decorations, so go walk it and then see if you like the Santa on duty or the photographer.
Lisa
I was EXTREMELY impressed with the photographer and the quality of the lighting and the prints at Bayview Village. The photographer is a real professional and is great with kids…he goes out of his way to get a good shoot! I highly recommend Bayview Village for your santa photos!
Let me just respond as I am a photographer and have also been to Yorkdale with my own kids. Do you have nothing better to do then post complaints about a 2 min photo that you recieved during one of the craziest times of the year. These poor guys and a Santa probably work 12 hour shifts trying to make your kids smile and act nice for ten minitues. Then I’m sure there is a large amount of this type of behaviour and stupity. Regardless if your kid smiled or Santa smiled maybe we should all remember that it’s Chirstmas and maybe we should roll with the punches a bit. Just an opinion, but I have all ready wasted to much time on this. I unlike others have things to do. Just for the record I loved that set and the staff were very friendly to me.
John, appreciate your comments, but you have to remember that it is dollar for service. And yes, I do have other things to do, but this blog is also meant to generate money (which it does), so therefore, it’s also my job to find things to post. In addition, when complaints are warranted, they are warranted – and I feel that my blog has a mix of complaints as well as compliments when they are deserved on both ends. If I were to praise their service, I would be blatantly lying and misleading other readers, so maybe, my work here does have some value. Have a very Merry Christmas yourself and glad that you found their service memorable.
Leave your response!
ReadIt!
Some interesting reads I'd like to share:- I love Auto-Correct on IPHONE! Check this out…
- 17 More Images You Won’t Believe Aren’t Photoshopped
- How to Escape Mundanity: OPEN FORUM from AMEX
SnapIt!
Some interesting photos I'd like to share:- WHAT IS THIS?
- HELP ME MOMMY!
- Poopie Oopsies
Blogroll
Recommended
Most Commented
Most Viewed