Behind the Magic:
The Making of a Parade

The Toronto Santa Claus Parade is a familiar annual tradition, bringing crowds together to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season. But beyond the floats, costumes, and public spectacle lies another story: the people and work that bring the parade to life.
 

Behind the Magic is a documentary photography project exploring the activity behind the scenes, shifting the focus from what audiences see along the parade route to the preparations and people that make the event possible.
 

Using a documentary approach, the project looks beyond the public-facing celebration to capture the people, details, and activity behind the parade. Through observational photography, it explores the coordination, preparation, and human effort involved in producing a large-scale public event.
 

By documenting moments that might otherwise go unnoticed, the project offers a different perspective on a well-known Toronto tradition, revealing the work behind the spectacle and the people who help create its magic.