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---
title: Santa Claus Adorable Photoshoot with Sleeping Baby
description: When baby Ezekiel fell asleep in the line to get a Christmas picture with Old Saint Nick, Santa told his parents not to wake him.
canonical: https://time.com/4129250/santa-claus-photoshoot-sleeping-baby/
author: Megan McCluskey
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article:published_time: 2015-11-30T18:03:39.000Z
article:modified_time: 2026-05-11T04:46:47.962Z
og:title: Check Out This Adorable Baby&#x27;s Sleepy Photoshoot with Santa Claus
og:description: Saint Nick needed a nap too
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twitter:title: Check Out This Adorable Baby&#x27;s Sleepy Photoshoot with Santa Claus
twitter:description: Saint Nick needed a nap too
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![](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt9f5b73619ec29a21/698873055f570f4b72b1e918/sleeping-baby-santa-claus.jpg?branch=production&width=509&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9)


# Check Out This Adorable Baby's Sleepy Photoshoot with Santa Claus

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![Megan McCluskey](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf85e445233dc41d2/698940894ee2620cd9313802/m_mccluskey.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)

by 

[Megan McCluskey](https://time.com/author/megan-mccluskey/)


![Megan McCluskey](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf85e445233dc41d2/698940894ee2620cd9313802/m_mccluskey.jpg?branch=production&width=96&quality=75&auto=webp)

## Megan McCluskey


Staff Writer

Nov 30, 2015 6:03 PM UTC

![Studio shot of red bauble](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt9f5b73619ec29a21/698873055f570f4b72b1e918/sleeping-baby-santa-claus.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=3:2)

Studio shot of red bauble

Studio shot of red bauble Jamie Grill/Getty Images/Tetra images RF

![Megan McCluskey](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf85e445233dc41d2/698940894ee2620cd9313802/m_mccluskey.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)

by 

[Megan McCluskey](https://time.com/author/megan-mccluskey/)


![Megan McCluskey](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf85e445233dc41d2/698940894ee2620cd9313802/m_mccluskey.jpg?branch=production&width=96&quality=75&auto=webp)

## Megan McCluskey


Staff Writer

Nov 30, 2015 6:03 PM UTC

Waiting to meet Santa Claus can be a long and tiring experience for little kids. So when baby Ezekiel fell asleep in the line to get a Christmas picture with Kris Kringle at an Indiana mall, Santa told his parents not to wake him. Instead, Saint Nick posed for a unique photoshoot with the napping infant by propping the baby on his chest and pretending to doze off with him.

Ezekiel’s father, Donnie Walters, posted the shoot on the Facebook page for [Donnie’s Daddy Daycare](https://www.facebook.com/donniesdaddydaycare/). “I can’t believe how adorable our son’s pictures with Santa came out,” he captioned the photos. “After falling asleep in line waiting, Santa asked us not to wake him and the outcome was the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.”

The photos have since gone viral, receiving over 377,000 likes and being shared over 199,000 times to date.

### Christmas Wishes: Photos of Kids on the Phone With Santa, 1947

![Calling Santa, 1947](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltdf3cddc14326b592/69876c022dce0136b59dc223/141202-kids-phone-santa-01.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Calling Santa, 1947 Martha Holmes—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

![Calling Santa, 1947.](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltec235bb8eee2ebeb/69876c02e20a8772c5a83b2b/141202-kids-phone-santa-02.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Calling Santa, 1947. Martha Holmes—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

![Patricia Guinan promises to leave out milk and crackers for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, 1947.](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt3d593294917472d5/69876c0255a8594c9fa846e1/141202-kids-phone-santa-03.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Patricia Guinan promises to leave out milk and crackers for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, 1947. Martha Holmes—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images


![Bann Kernan, who is 7 years old, squirms with delight as she asks Santa for a wrist watch." Moments later she gave the phone to her younger brother, Bennie, 5, who requested a train.](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd5516ee80c90a5b7/69876c03e53ababf0a4d63fa/141202-kids-phone-santa-04.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Caption from LIFE. Bann Kernan, who is 7 years old, squirms with delight as she asks Santa for a wrist watch." Moments later she gave the phone to her younger brother, Bennie, 5, who requested a train. Martha Holmes—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

![Jo Ann Ward "began with aplomb by saying, 'Hello, Santa Claus. How you feel?'" The three-year-old wanted a doll and a boat.](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt076bafd87eb504d9/69876c03f887dc9bfbe88ba0/141202-kids-phone-santa-05.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Jo Ann Ward "began with aplomb by saying, 'Hello, Santa Claus. How you feel?'" The three-year-old wanted a doll and a boat. Martha Holmes—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

![After "making sure he could not hear and be disillusioned," Bann Kernan "whispered confidingly to the LIFE researcher" that there is "no Santa Claus," while brother Bennie remained blissfully unaware.](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blta22455f4df04f77e/69876c03e20a878fdda83b30/141202-kids-phone-santa-06.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

After "making sure he could not hear and be disillusioned," Bann Kernan "whispered confidingly to the LIFE researcher" that there is "no Santa Claus," while brother Bennie remained blissfully unaware. Martha Holmes—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images


![Elaine Jung is 6, wants a doll's house and carriage, also asked Santa to be sure not to forget her baby sister](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt76c248dabbde5208/69876c04524fc00152deb173/141202-kids-phone-santa-07.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Caption from LIFE. Elaine Jung is 6, wants a doll's house and carriage, also asked Santa to be sure not to forget her baby sister. Martha Holmes—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

![Jimmy O'Brien, 4, asked for a bike and a sailboat. "When Santa asked where he lived," LIFE reported, "he said, 'You know where.'"](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltcc6b1488ac0ade06/69876c04e20a87d1dca83b34/141202-kids-phone-santa-08.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Jimmy O'Brien, 4, asked for a bike and a sailboat. "When Santa asked where he lived," LIFE reported, "he said, 'You know where.'" Martha Holmes—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

![Christopher Lange, the son of Poland's U.N. delegate Oscar Lange, "is nearly 8 years old," LIFE wrote, "and a firm believer in Santa Claus." He "showed his official background by requesting the badge of the profession, a briefcase, for Christmas." \(He al](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt43ae7351c6fe89c4/69876c04524fc06a01deb177/141202-kids-phone-santa-09.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Christopher Lange, the son of Poland's U.N. delegate Oscar Lange, "is nearly 8 years old," LIFE wrote, "and a firm believer in Santa Claus." He "showed his official background by requesting the badge of the profession, a briefcase, for Christmas." (He also asked for a paint set.) Martha Holmes—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images


![Calling Santa, 1947.](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt70c267009633442f/69876c05cd1bba506d6f3dd2/141202-kids-phone-santa-10.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Calling Santa, 1947. Martha Holmes—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

![Santa Himself and Mrs. Claus," LIFE wrote, "who sometimes wear red coats to keep in character, answer calls at the Schwarz workshop](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt0d8b6cf2c9a77199/69876c0555a859d89da846e6/141202-kids-phone-santa-11.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

"Santa and Mrs. Claus," LIFE wrote, "who sometimes wear red coats to keep in character, answer calls at the F.A.O. Schwarz workshop." Martha Holmes—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

!["Schwarz's President, Philip Kirkham," LIFE noted, "used to play Santa for the benefit of special customers' children by shouting good cheer up a dumbwaiter shaft." The first time he did it, employees thought he was "a little daft."](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt20da8e55efa74619/69876c05e53aba8b154d63fe/141202-kids-phone-santa-12.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

"Schwarz's President, Philip Kirkham," LIFE noted, "used to play Santa for the benefit of special customers' children by shouting good cheer up a dumbwaiter shaft." The first time he did it, employees thought he was "a little daft." Martha Holmes—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images


![Calling Santa, 1947.](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltdee269986c1c15ca/69876c050b72e3cdae6dc478/141202-kids-phone-santa-13.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Calling Santa, 1947. MARTHA HOLMES

![Bann Kernan, 7, calls Santa, 1947.](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt25234daa4b7d4ac9/69876c06e53abaaa0c4d6403/141202-kids-phone-santa-14.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Bann Kernan, 7, calls Santa, 1947. Martha Holmes—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

![Calling Santa, 1947.](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltc29a64263cf247f3/69876c062dce01dbf69dc22c/141202-kids-phone-santa-15.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Calling Santa, 1947. Martha Holmes—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images


![Calling Santa, 1947.](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt37d52c4cd6ae5a5b/69876c0635ba6fbc5ec05ad0/141202-kids-phone-santa-16.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Calling Santa, 1947. Martha Holmes—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

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