T.R.
I don't know for sure, but heard that the Santa at the Cedar Hills was good and that they still allowed personal photos. Might be worth a check. Washington Square Mall even allowed personal photos until this year. I agree with you about the commercialization. Last year I paid $25 for a TERRIBLE picture of my 4 year old staring blankly, my 2 year old screaming her head off, and my 7 month old with these big round tear filled eyes, you know how they look just before they let rip with a wail... Let's just say I wasn't pleased. But, it was a memory, and I did scrapbook it! I still laugh when I look at that page. I took the kids around back of the Santa display & sat them on the floor and took some great shots of the three of them with the Holiday decorations behind them.
As for the scrapbooking. I find it to be my the one think I do for me. I LIVE for my Crop 'til U Drops. The last Friday of each month between 7pm & midnight is my dedicated time. Let me know if you'd like to join us. I'm in Beaverton off Walker at 167th. Not far from Hillsboro at all.
Good luck with finding a free Santa!