Heather Atha and 12 Years of Krampus at Mike Winland Studio

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast I’m in Kanawha City at Picture Day Mike Winland Studio with Heather Atha while Krampus moves through the studio. Heather helps run the Krampus sessions at Mike’s place and keeps the creature and the sessions on track.

Heather lays out the folklore. Krampus comes from German Christmas tradition and takes the role Santa does not. Instead of gifts, he targets misbehavior, puts kids in a sack, and threatens punishment.

This photo tradition has been running for 12 years. Heather connects it to her own home because her son took his first Krampus photo as a newborn, and they have returned each season since then. She sees many Kanawha Valley families treat it as a yearly stop.

We talk about why people choose this instead of a standard Santa photo. It gives families a different story to tell, and it lets kids and parents lean into a roleplay that flips the usual Christmas script. The unpredictability is part of the draw, because you do not know what Krampus will do in the moment.

Heather also points people toward the bigger experience inside the House of Selfies. The studio has over 40 sets with lighting ready, so you can bring friends, take your own photos, and even throw a party there. For Krampus, you book a time slot at https://www.mikewinlandstudios.com/reserve-session/pictures-with-krampus check the upcoming dates, and follow Mike Winland and House of Selfies on Facebook to see what other visitors create and share.

If you come to Kanawha City for Krampus, show up ready, because you never know what you are going to get.