Denine Currie<\/a><\/p>\nHoliday Magic Studios Inc. is giving back once again through its \u201cMillion Magic Moments\u201d campaign \u2014 with the goal of raising $100,000 to provide 300 Santa photo packages to children and families in need this holiday season.<\/p>\n
The company has teamed up with local nonprofits, including Make-A-Wish, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Toys for Tots and The Boys and Girls Club of Fresno County, to offer high-quality Santa photos for children whose families have experienced financial struggles, illness or loss.<\/p>\n
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer has jumped on board to support the cause.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf just 50 of our local businesses each sponsored ten families, we\u2019d reach the goal in a single day,\u201d said Dyer.<\/p>\n
For almost 26 years, the portable Holiday Magic studio has been a staple at River Park in time for Christmas festivities.<\/p>\n
The company now offers its premier Santa photo packages at four locations via its portable studios as well as brick-and-mortar photography studios through partnerships with photographers in Fresno, Madera, Hanford and Bakersfield. The company is open to additional partnerships with photographers.<\/p>\n
Owned by Peter De Young and his son Nico, Holiday Magic Studios identified how to differentiate themselves by providing the highest quality experience for children and their families, said Peter De Young.<\/p>\n
The team spoke with customers and applied their feedback.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were going to listen to what mothers wanted, and we were gonna over deliver,\u201d said De Young, \u201cSo we went to a five-minute appointment period.\u201d<\/p>\n
The company worked with Disney Imagineers and tech experts to perfect Santa\u2019s workshop, including all of the proprietary video content \u2014 such as the elves in the window displays \u2014 as well as all of the technology required to run the studio.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe software we developed wasn\u2019t available anywhere in the world,\u201d said De Young.<\/p>\n
Holiday Magic staff direct the shoots \u2014 offering props and poses to ensure that each photo is a winner.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe invite people to bring the whole family. Let\u2019s take a picture of grandma and grandpa with the kids,\u201d said De Young, \u201cLet\u2019s take the kids individually. Let\u2019s take silly shots; different poses.\u201d<\/p>\n
The company\u2019s \u201creal-bearded Santas\u201d remain in character, interacting with children and families, to encourage natural smiles. It currently employs 10 men to represent the jolly elf \u2014 but simply having a grey beard isn\u2019t enough.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust as important is to find people who are Santa,\u201d said De Young, \u201cThey have the spirit of Christmas and joy in their hearts and understand the importance of their role, AND have a white beard.\u201d<\/p>\n
The result, according to De Young? Parents and grandparents leave the studio with high-quality photos of their families and children leave with memories of five magical minutes spent in Santa\u2019s workshop.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a family experience,\u201d said De Young \u201cWhen you come here, or to any of our studios, you\u2019re in for an experience. Something that the kids will never forget.\u201d<\/p>\n
Customers can visit holidaymagicstudios.com to schedule a photoshoot.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can do it on your phone. Pick any five-minute period for the entire 6-weeks that we\u2019re open.\u201d said De Young.<\/p>\n
For years, De Young would pay out of pocket to provide the experience to families in need.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe utilized my credit card to swipe anybody who was really, you know, in need,\u201d said De Young, \u201cWe did that for many years.\u201d<\/p>\n
The company now supports even more families in need through their \u201cMillion Magic Moments\u201d campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cBusinesses in the community can underwrite an entire family to come in and have something that many of them have never had, and that is an experience like what we offer,\u201d said De Young.<\/p>\n
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