If you’re from Sydney’s Northern Beaches, you’ve found the right place for fun, action-packed and memorable Christmas photos.
We’ve rounded up a few of the most common questions we’ve been asked over the years, and answered them below.
How much is a 2023 Santa on the Beach photo session and what does it include?
Each session costs $89 and includes:
A 5 minute group photo session with Santa, taken by a professional photographer.
A minimum of 5 high res digital files, emailed within 5 business days. Digital files can be downloaded from your personalised online photo gallery, where you can also order prints and Christmas cards (if you get to it in time!).
A very Aussie Christmas themed set on the beach at Curl Curl.
Three different group combinations or styles - for example with/without Santa, just the kids, serious family photo etc. Every family is different, so please let us know if you have any specific photo combination in mind.
Allow 15 minutes for your session to account for registration, getting into position on set and the actual photo session. Come prepared with a few ideas if you want something specific, otherwise we’ll direct you to get the best pics for your group.
Please note that your photos are for private use only. If you’d like to use them for commercial reasons, please contact us in advance so we can make arrangements.
What is your reschedule, cancellation and transfer policy?
Reschedules: All our sessions book up quickly, so reschedules are not always available. If there is availability, you can reschedule free of charge up to 48 hours before your booked session. This can be done via the red button on your booking confirmation email.
Cancellations: All cancellations incur a $15 processing fee. To cancel, email hello@santaonthebeachpics.com.au, advising your booked date and time.
If you cancel more than 7 days out from your booked session, you will receive a full refund less the processing fee.
If you cancel within 2 to 7 days of your booked session, you will receive a 50% refund less the processing fee.
There are no refunds for cancellations within 48 hours of your booked session, or for no shows on the day. Sessions will go ahead regardless of weather, unless conditions are extreme.
Transfers: To avoid any processing or cancellation fees, you are welcome to transfer your booking to another person, free of charge. To transfer your booking, email hello@santaonthebeachpics.com.au with the new person’s contact details including name, email and phone number and we’ll update your booking details. You can then get your friend to transfer the money to you directly, or gift it to them for Christmas!
Where do you take your Santa photos?
In 2023, we’re keeping it simple and doing all our photos at Curl Curl Beach on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. There will be 2 different locations on the beach, depending on whether it is a dog-friendly session or not. Further details will be provided on your booking confirmation email.
Unfortunately we will not continuing to offer our Central Coast option in 2023, due to logistics.
Do you have a premium option? I’d like a longer, more personalised photo session.
If you’re keen for a longer, more customised family photo shoot, head to jamesmillsphotography.com.au. James was the Santa on the Beach photographer from 2018 to 2021, and is now doing 20 minutes family sessions on selected dates on the Central Coast and Northern Beaches in 2023.
How do I book, and what happens then?
Hit BOOK NOW above to find available dog-friendly and no-dog sessions for 2023.
Select an available date and time in November and December, and complete the booking form.
Choose your payment type. We accept Paypal, Visa, MasterCard or Amex (via Stripe).
Once your payment has gone through, you will receive an instant booking confirmation via email from hello@santaonthebeachpics.com.au. Check your spam if not received within 10 minutes.
Your email confirmation has a link to all the information you’ll need on the day including where to find us, parking info, what to bring etc.
Look out for a reminder SMS the day before your session and don’t forget to show up!
How many people and/or dogs can join in each session?
For the best experience, we recommend up to 8 ‘bodies’ (humans + dogs) per session. If you have a larger group you’d like to accommodate, please book a double session to allow enough time to get the best pics.
At least one adult should be present per dog. It is the owners responsibility to ensure the dog is on a leash and under control at all times. We suggest bringing a few treats, plus lots of water to help keep them comfortable and happy during the photo.
What payment methods do you accept? Is it secure?
We accept Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard or Amex) via Stripe and PayPal. All bookings must be pre-paid via our secure online payment system, which is SSL encrypted for additional security. If you’d prefer to pay by direct debit, please contact us for details. Cash will not be accepted on the day.
Will you go ahead in all weather conditions?
Weather has been one of the trickiest things to navigate in this business! Summer weather can be wildly unpredictable, and over the years we have experienced extreme winds, heatwaves, cold snaps, torrential rain and pretty much anything else you can imagine running an outdoor business. In 2022, we trialled a wet weather backup option at North Curl Curl Surf Club so our photos could go ahead rain, hail or shine. However, the logistics to move everyone to a new location were trickier than expected, and the pics just didn’t have the same look and feel as being smack bang on the beach!
In 2023, we’ve decided to run our sessions without an indoor backup option, considering the weather forecast for this summer is hot and dry (thanks to El Nino). If conditions on the day are too bad to go ahead (eg. heavy rain, strong winds, thunderstorms etc) we’ll notify everyone who is booked in via email and update our social media + website. We will attempt to provide an alternate date to reschedule to, or provide a full refund if rescheduling is not an option.
Can I choose how our group is arranged for the photo and what we do in the pics?
Absolutely! We want you to have fun and love the photos we take. We will give you up to 3 different group combos/action packed ideas for your photos, but if you have a specific photo that you want us to take, just let us know on the day. Check out Santa on the Beach Pics on Instagram for example photos from past years.
How do I know where to go on the day for my photos?
When you book online, you’ll receive an instant booking confirmation email with your booked date, time and location. The email will include a link to find out all the information you’ll need on the day, such as parking details, local amenities, what to bring/wear and exactly where you’ll find Santa.
When will my photos be delivered? Do you have any printing options?
Please allow around 5 days for post production and delivery of your photos. Photos will be delivered in a personalised online gallery, where you can download both low and high res pics for sharing and/or printing. Our photo platform includes the option to order professional quality prints, Christmas cards and frames directly from the platform. When you receive your gallery, head to the ‘shop’ to see pricing and options.
You can also take your downloaded images to local printing places such as Officeworks, Kmart and online sites such as Snapfish, but the quality can vary a lot!
There are some people in the background of my photo. Will you photoshop it out for me?
As you can imagine, we photograph hundred of families over the just a few short weeks leading up to Christmas. Whilst every care is taken to avoid people, dogs and other ‘extras’, the nature of the beaches (especially on a sunny Summer’s day!) means it’s very challenging to get an empty background within a 5 minute time slot.
To keep the turnaround time fast, we do not photoshop or digitally alter individual images. Simple colour correction or a little crop is usually all that’s needed to make your images beautiful.
If you feel that your images need a little more attention for your perfect Christmas image, we are happy to help at an additional charge of $25 for the first image and $15 for each additional. We can remove people from the background or do simple work such as blemish removal as required. To organise this, please contact us with details of the photo you’d like digitally altered and we will be in touch with options.
Do you take corporate bookings eg. work teams, rugby clubs, surf clubs etc?
We sure can. Contact us and let us know your group size, preferred location/dates/times and where you’re from and we will get back to you with a custom quote.
Have another question we haven’t answered? Contact Us and we’ll get back to you asap!