Photos in Tight Spaces: Santa Addition

Photos With Santa 2025 - Tre Davis

Christmas is right around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than

photos with Santa? It is a classic holiday tradition filled with big smiles, excited kids, and yes, sometimes a few screaming babies.

Recently, I had the opportunity to photograph one of these events for a church. It was a lot of fun, but it was also a very tight shooting environment. My role was not to photograph Santa directly, but to capture behind-the-scenes moments of the volunteers who made the event possible.

Shooting in cramped spaces is not always easy, but it does come with a few unexpected benefits. Here are three tips I rely on when working in tight environments.

1. Know the Space You Take

I have mentioned this in previous posts, but being aware of how much space you take up is incredibly important. This includes not only your body, but also your gear and clothing.

Camera bags, bulky jackets, and baggy pants can limit your mobility and often end up snagging on chairs, tables, or people. I am not saying you need to wear tight clothing, but you should be mindful that anything extending beyond your body can become an obstacle.

Whenever possible, place your bag in a safe spot out of the way, remove bulky outerwear, and wear clothing that allows you to move comfortably and quietly.

2. Off Angles Are Your Friend

The blessing and the curse of small spaces is the lack of shooting angles. Most of the time, you are limited to two or three options at best.

At this event, we were set up in a small reading area just off the main room of a neighborhood clubhouse. “Ballroom” might be a generous description, but you get the idea. My options were standing behind the line, squeezed behind equipment, or near the exit where all you could see were Photo Booth lights.

Instead of fighting the space, I leaned into it. I waited for moments to happen. An over-the-shoulder shot of a child waiting for Santa. A quick peek through the line to catch a smile. When angles are limited, timing becomes your strongest tool.

3. Fill What You Cannot Get with What You Can

Let’s be honest. You only need so many photos of kids sitting with Santa to tell the story of the event.

When access is limited, look for supporting details that help complete the picture. Decorated trees, neighborhood or church logos dressed up for Christmas, volunteers interacting, or families waiting together all help add depth to the story.

Sometimes the strongest photos are not of the main subject, but of the details around it. Those details help show that this was not just a photo with Santa, but a full experience.

Final Thoughts

Cramped spaces can be frustrating, but they force you to slow down, be intentional, and think creatively. By knowing your space, embracing off angles, and telling the story through details, you can still capture something meaningful, even when room is limited.