For the past four years, Jessica Mulcahy (owner of JS Photography STL, LLC) and Santa Frank have provided free Santa minis for On Angels’ Wings recipients in St. Louis at the JS Photography studio. It’s become a tradition that they both look forward to.
“It is a rewarding experience working on this project to provide Christmas pictures to the [On Angels’ Wings] families,” said Santa Frank. “I look forward to seeing families year after year to see how they are growing. I am able to be a part of something very special with them and that is something that will be with me for all time.”
And this year the organization was also able to add a second session date for a few recipients with Brianna Buchholz (owner of Brianna Buchholz Photography) and Santa Dave at Forrest Park.
“Doing these Santa Mini Sessions was the first time that I ever got to see firsthand what Santa truly means to children.” Said Brianna. “Starting with the first family, I instantly saw the twinkle in this little boy’s eyes, when he first spotted Santa. With every family, I saw the true Christmas Magic—that I always hear about—come alive. I walked away from these sessions feeling absolutely thankful that I was able to witness this unique joy, capture it, and give all these families these memories to hold on to.”
“Being Santa is a heart-warming and endearing undertaking,” said Santa Dave. “The joy given to little and big alike makes every visit worthwhile. Meeting and sharing time with On Angel’s Wings families is a humbling gift and honor to see the grins and eager anticipation on those little faces and the parents’ smiles.”
OAW recipients are grateful for the opportunity to capture these sweet moments and the magic of Christmas with their families. “We love, love, love the Santa photos!” said Ashley Orlando. “We make it a family tradition now to see Santa for Halloween, as we say it because it falls in October. Santa Frank is absolutely amazing. My kids adore him, and we are forever grateful for this opportunity.”
April Gemignani and her family have been recipients of OAW services for several years, but moved out of state just days after the session took place. Getting Santa pictures one last time before moving away was really important to her family. “My family and I are so thankful for our Santa photos,” she said. “We moved away from grandparents, so this was a last chance to include them in professional photos before we left. We wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to take photos with Santa together, and I love to send a photo with my Christmas cards.”
Savanah Calhoun, whose rainbow baby is celebrating his first Christmas after the family endured two infant losses, said she’s incredibly grateful for OAW, the photographer, and Santa Frank for making the Santa minis happen. “We’re so incredibly thankful for this amazing organization never failing to do the most for bereaved parents and siblings to angels! Jessica with JS Photography STL is so patient and considerate and just fun to be around, making the whole experience feel so special. Santa Frank was so patient and didn’t hesitate to keep taking pictures even after our strong boy yanked his beard! And we thank Michelle for starting this organization, and for being there for my family and others in their most vulnerable, important, amazing, and happy moments! All of the time and effort from these organizations and businesses does not and will not ever go unnoticed by us.”
This event and the organization’s other 2023 holiday minis sessions (NICU Halloween Minis and Santa Minis, both in Springfield) were sponsored by Phoenix Home Care, which allowed the organization to send thank you gifts to the Santas and photographers that gave their time to make this happen. Thank you, Phoenix Home Care!
