We were thinking about Bass Pro Shop. Kinda random, but I have heard they have a good Santa! According to the website, he is there in the evenings during the week and all day on the weekends.
We went to Bass Pro Shop last year and Santa was pretty good - and free, which is great with a little one who may freak out! We went on a weekday afternoon (closer to Christmas, he's there on the weekdays too) and there was no line, but the staff said it's an absolute zoo on the weekends. I think that's probably similar to any mall Santa, though?
Re: santa photos.