Photographing Christmas Elves in New Freedom 🎄✨
Sometimes my job as a photojournalist feels like stepping into a storybook. Case in point: New Freedom, Pennsylvania, on November 29, 2025. I was there to cover the Northern Central Railway excursion, and instead of just trains and passengers, I found myself surrounded by… elves. Yes, Christmas elves.
The caption for my images says it all: “New Freedom, PA, USA – November 29, 2025: The Christmas Elves spread holiday cheer and entertain a crowd of passengers about to board the Northern Central Railway train excursion in York County.”
But captions don’t capture the full picture. These elves weren’t just standing around looking festive—they were working the crowd like seasoned entertainers. One elf jingled bells with the confidence of a rock star, another handed out candy canes like they were stock options, and a third seemed determined to photobomb every frame I shot. Honestly, I half expected them to unionize by the end of the day.
Photographing them was a challenge in the best way. Try keeping a straight face while an elf is sneaking up behind you, making reindeer antlers with their hands. Or when a group of kids starts chanting “Elf! Elf! Elf!” like it’s a sporting event. My shutter speed had to keep up with the antics, and I’m pretty sure my laughter made a few shots blurrier than usual.
That’s the joy of small-town events like this. They’re unpredictable, full of character, and remind me why I love documenting Pennsylvania’s communities. The elves brought holiday cheer to New Freedom, but they also gave me one of the most fun assignments of the season.
📸 Note: I filed this photo story with Alamy Live News. The images shared here are not the ones submitted for news distribution — these are my personal selections to give you a taste of the festive fun.
So if you ever find yourself boarding the Northern Central Railway around the holidays, keep your eyes peeled. You might just find yourself in the company of elves—and if you do, I recommend bringing a camera.
