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Aris, one of Santa's Photographers. Originally
from Greece and a really good photographer. He takes a lot of care to make
every picture as perfect as posible -- smiles just right, clothing perfectly
arranged, Santa looking perfect, too.
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Chris, another of Santa's Photographers.
We have worked together most of the last 8 years. Chris lives "in the moment"
- when the picture occurs, he's ready to capture it.
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A slightly more pensive "Chris Moment"!
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Elf Lucia. A delightful young lady, a
great elf and Santa's Helper. She usually worked with Santa Richard but
I lucked out a couple of times. Originally from Krakow, eastern Europe,
she has been in Vancouver for 10 years.
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Elf Lucia meets Babysitter Lucia, also
from Krakow. Same name, same city of origin, this Lucia has only been here
for a couple of years.
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"Elf" Shawnta (in blue) was my photographer,
and she became a delightfully "In the moment" photographer, capturing the
best of every visit and making fabulous memories for many children and
many families.
Elf Carrie Ann was my assistant elf, and was
a delight to work with. She was also an actress, which may in part be why
she was so very good with the children.
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This little fella is "Grrrrr" and he just
loved to visit Santa, but most especially Elf Carrie Ann and they'd --
"Grrrrrrrrrr" together! Delightful.
Elf Carrie Ann is in the inset in the upper
right corner of the picture.
The Santa Display is in the background, behind
the white fence. You can also see Chris the Photographer in the background.
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From the left, Aris the photographer,
Samantha, a simply wonderful Elf and helper, one whom I would love to work
with again any time she's available, and another delightful young lady
who was the photographer's helper. If I do say so myself, we made a pretty
good team.
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This is John Crossen, a friend of Santa
(of course, isn't everybody?) and an artist of renown (cartoonist is probably
a better description) and who helped design the new Santa Display at Park Royal
North Mall for 2003.
A Great job, John. Many thanks. Santa's new home is a wonderful place to be.
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This is "Santa Jim", the Salvation Army
Santa who is the only Salvation Army Santa who has ever worked the Park
Royal North Mall, some 37 years, ever since it opened.
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Again, "Santa Jim", the Salvation Army
Santa, finally stopping to visit the Park Royal North Santa. It only took
8 years to get this meeting arranged!
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This is Julie, Santa's first elf at Park
Royal, all grown up and with her son, Lucas. He's a healthy young fella
about twice as large (both height and weight) as the average 6 month old.
Not surprising, as Julie is 5'10" and her hubby is over 6'. She was a really
great elf to work with.
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This is Santa Richard, and while he may
not look like it in this photo - he's with a young fellow who is a little
bit shy - Santa Richard has as much fun as any Santa going. He truly loves
his work.
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This is Santa Larry, in the North Mall here, holding a very young fella very gently.
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Shawnta and Photo Asst. in dressing room,
lunch time, having a little fun.
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Santa's Dressing Room, extra Santa and
Elf suits hanging on the rack in the back. This is also the storage room
for all the Santa Display materials when they're not in use.
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Santa Rick, Christmas of 2002 (now retired),
in a very important visit with a young gentleman about Christmas.
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Santa Rick, continuing visit, gets very
serious about Christmas. As well we all should - as Christmas is a very
special time.
Santa Rick is the one who was responsible for
hiring Santa Windy the first time.
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Santa Doug, also originally hired by Santa
Rick, working at Park Royal. This is Doug after he grew his own natural
beard. In his non-Santa work he was a clown, doing children's parties and
other clown type entertainment. But I first met him as a fellow member
of my church and we became very good friends.
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Santa Larry, in the South Mall,
visiting with a brother and sister and helping to make a great Christmas
for them.
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Santa Larry, in the South Mall,
visiting with a young lady eager to make a great Christmas. Santa Larry's
Elf sits on a stool to the left.
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Santa Lansdown Mall visits Santa Park
Royal North Mall on a day off.
It's always nice to visit back and forth and
get to meet "new Santas". He said being Santa was a "blast"!
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Saqving the best for last....
We have a special Elf -- Samantha -- here.
"Sam" was
wonderful to work with and a delight especially to all the kiddies who came in
contact with her while visiting or waiting to visit with Santa.
This was the cute Elf outfit we had the first day,
but they were quickly replaced....
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with this.....
Sam looks great here, but I sorta liked the short
skirt outfit. :-)
Sam did, too.
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