Tygart Valley Santa Klaus

03/01/2026

Announcing the 2025 Photos of the year.

All photos are important to me! I want them to endure beyond all of us as a record of our Christmas celebrations. As I review and look through the nominations I feel a great deal of pride and gratitude. I take great pride in my attention to detail, jolliness and stamina. I’m grateful to all those who have entrusted me to be in photos that will be displayed for decades to come.

This contest was lively and incudes some surprising results. Thanks to all the nice comments! The following link takes you to my blog. I’ve written some comments for each of the submissions.

Happy New Year! I’ll be contacting the families to make arrangements soon.

All the photos we took this year are precious! I met many happy, thriving children, and it gives me great hope for the future. I’m pleased to reveal the 2025 Photos of the year! Find below the two …

30/12/2025

One unique service I offer is a free postcard exchange list. The generous businesses and families who have Santa in for visits make it possible for me to commission the artwork or photos, print the cards and get the postage stamps. Some families have been receiving notes from me since way back in 2021. It’s a bit of work, true, to make, hand sign and address some 250 postcards. The stack you see here is about 3/4 of the list. I believe it keeps some moments of magic and cheer alive throughout the year. During two home visits, children ran and showed me the postcard they received. I also took several questions about “Camp Jolly,” my secret camp along the Tygart Valley River.

As I send out New Year’a greetings, I’d love to hear from you. Have your children enjoyed the postcards?

27/12/2025

Last Call!

As our memories of Christmas are sinking in, I’m now taking the last nominations for my 2025 “Photo of the Year” contest. If I get enough nominations, I will create two categories: a) photos taken in a studio by a professional and b) photos taken in homes or offices. Right now, I don’t have enough nominations to create two.

If you want to add your photo, simply send me a message or email the photo to [email protected]

The winners get either a photo session or a home visit, pending availability, in 2026. I will work with the winner to find the best option. Please note that I’ll post the photos on my Facebook and my blog.

Find here the 2024 photo of the year, precious twin boys. The photo was taken at the cozy studio of Leaf & Little Photography in Buckhannon, WV. Babies that age are so sweet with Santa! Both were content to stare at my beard and listen to me talk. I like how Chelsie Paige Rexroad lets the session play out naturally and finds sweet moments that are not posed.

25/12/2025

By the time you read this, I will have dashed away to the back of beyond. My heart is overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. Thank you for inviting me into your homes and businesses in 2025. My small business has grown and grown. I believe it is now as big as it can be! Thank you for trusting me to have a jolly moment with your precious children. I take comfort and satisfaction knowing that the photos we took and the memories we made will endure.

I wish I could be Santa all through the year!

Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas

24/12/2025

If you found Tygart Valley Santa Klaus through a 2025 photo session with To No Extremes Photography this year, then take a moment to include your family in this generous “photo of the year contest.”

🎄From my family to yours🎄… Merry Christmas to all of you and your families🎄

2025 was another amazing and busy year for my small business 🫶🏻The privilege of capturing your memories, from sessions including newborns, birthdays, families, engagements, Santa, seniors, maternity… and even capturing some small weddings❤️

To all of the sports teams and leagues … I appreciate you allowing me to photograph all of the different sports, and documenting this time in your child’s life ❤️

I will always appreciate you choosing me to be a part of your forever memories ❤️Thank you SO much for allowing me to be your photographer!

Now, let’s spread the holiday cheer….

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TWO WAYS TO WIN
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1) In honor of 2025 and the memories we made, I want you to post ONE of your favorite photos that I created from EACH session I did for you this year, 2025! For each session, you will be entered in a drawing to receive a FREE 16x20 canvas from your session OR you can use it for a session in 2026 ❤️

2) SHARE this post and ask your family and friends to LIKE your photo AND they MUST “LIKE” my page., for their vote to count. The photo with the most LIKES will win a FREE mini session in 2026!

I will announce the winners on New Year’s Day!

I can’t wait to see everyone in the NEW YEAR!
~Marla~

24/12/2025

Wow! The 2025 North Philippi Santa Stroll was huge! We distributed all 200 jingle bell trinkets and 12 lbs of candies. I counted five families from out of town. I think the event is catching on! I’ll be back with more jingle bells, more candy and an earlier start next year.

Thank you, thanks and more thanks! I feel great contentment.

Thanks to the Philip Barbour Future Business Leaders of America for giving the event a boost of energy and enthusiasm. Seeing those youth skipping down the street and merry making gives me hope.

Thanks also to Highland Mobile Homes Services for helping me procure the extra jingle bells and candy.

23/12/2025

The North Philippi Santa Stroll starts in 30 minutes! Follow this thread. I’m asking families to post their photos of “Santa Sightings” as I make my way. That way, people down the route can know when I’m coming.

Merry Christmas!

22/12/2025

Headed to Philippi December 23, 6:30!

After getting some positive feedback, I’ll extend the December 23, 2025 North Philippi Santa Stroll across the river and to the courthouse. Because of the extra distance, the stroll starts a bit earlier at 6:30.

Again, please be mindful that I’ll be walking and visiting. It will take some time to get to the courthouse. Listen for the bells!

21/12/2025

I get a good chuckle every time I put on my padded suit! Dash Away!

21/12/2025

Friends and neighbors, please help me gauge interest: if I were to end the North Philippi Christmas Stroll by crossing the river, going down main street and stopping at the courthouse, would people from other neighborhoods or visitors visit Santa there at the gazebo?

Please Comment or like below to show interest. If I see enough interest, I’ll extend my route, ending at the gazebo around, say, 8:00.