We Are Santa:

Portraits & Profiles

With the assistance of two leading Santa booking agents, I arranged photo shoots with over one hundred top professional Santas in cities across the U.S.

Each Santa arrived at the studio in his street clothes – no bells, no red suit – so that I could make his portrait, to be presented in black and white.

That’s when the real fun began. In what was often an elaborate and lengthy physical transformation, each Santa then changed into his favorite suit for another set of photographs, this time in full color.

Through these photo sessions, I learned a lot about Santa Claus—and found myself both surprised and impressed by the diversity of the character we simply know as Santa.

Publication date: September 29, 2020
Publisher: PA Press, New York
Hardcover, 160 pages
Retail price: $22.95
ISBN: 9781616899653

Pre-order We Are Santa at:
PAPress.com >
Barnes & Noble Online >
Amazon.com >

Also available at your local independent bookseller.

From the publisher:

“Who doesn’t love Santa Claus? From award-winning photographer Ron Cooper comes a beautifully curated collection of fifty professional Santas from across the country. We Are Santa is a fascinating glimpse into the lives of those who slip into the red suit to spread Christmas cheer. Before and after portraits, behind-the-scenes stories of custom made costumes and specialized training, and surprising anecdotes of on-the-job encounters bring these Santas to life.”

Black and White Portraits >

Color Portraits >

Digest >

Lone Tree Arts Center, Colorado
November 2021 – January 2022

Click to view the virtual exhibition
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