Aussie Santa Photos
AUSSIE SANTA PHOTOS 2026 – BOOKINGS NOW OPEN
Christmas, Aussie Style
Swap the snow and winter coats for sand, sunshine and a sea breeze!
Aussie Santa Photos at Long Reef have been a Christmas tradition for local families for over 10 years. Our sessions are quick, relaxed and fun, capturing your family with Santa against the beautiful Long Reef backdrop.
With just 5 minutes per family, there’s no long queue or waiting around with excited children — simply book your time, come down to the beach and have some fun with Santa.
Your Aussie Santa session
Your $90 session includes approximately 5 minutes with Santa and a minimum of 3 professionally edited high-resolution digital images, delivered via download within approximately 48 hours.
Your high-resolution images are yours to download, print, email and share with family and friends for personal use.
The Package – $90
Your Aussie Santa session includes:
– Aussie Santa at Long Reef Beach
– Approximately 5 minutes with Santa
– Minimum of 3 professionally edited high-resolution digital images
– Digital download within approximately 48 hours
The Aussie Santa Experience
Aussie Santa is about much more than getting a photograph with Santa. We want the whole experience to be easy, relaxed and fun for your family.
There are no long shopping centre queues. You have your own booked time, the kids can enjoy being at the beach, and when it is your turn we have some fun and create your family’s Christmas photographs.
And no two sessions are exactly the same.
Some children cannot wait to see Santa and have plenty to tell him. We always try to give them a little time to chat and tell Santa what has been happening – and, of course, discuss that all-important Christmas list.
Others are not quite so sure about the man with the big white beard, and that is absolutely fine too.
We never want a frightened little one to feel pressured into sitting beside Santa just for a photograph. Instead, we work around them. Santa might go for a walk, hide behind the surfboard or quietly pop up in the background while we photograph the family, sometimes without the little one even realising he is there.
With older children and teenagers, the experience changes again. We keep the fun going with crazy poses, snowballs, sibling antics and generally doing whatever we can to get everyone laughing.
We are not trying to make every family fit into the same perfect Santa pose.
We want to capture your family being your family at Christmas.
A Christmas Tradition
One of the things we love most about Aussie Santa is seeing the same families return year after year.
Some of our families have been coming to see us since 2015. We have watched toddlers become school children, school children become teenagers, and families grow and change along the way. It is one of our favourite parts of Aussie Santa.
Every year we get to catch up, hear what has happened since we last saw you and create another photograph for the family Christmas collection.
For many of our regular families, a visit to Aussie Santa at Long Reef has become one of those Christmas traditions they simply cannot miss.
And every year we meet new families too.
So whether you have been visiting Aussie Santa for years or 2026 will be your very first time, we would love to see you at Long Reef this Christmas.
2026 Dates
Santa will be available to sit with at Long Reef Beach this November and December.
Afternoon sessions only, 3.00 – 6.30pm due to the bright sun at the beach in the mornings.
Where will we find Santa?
Santa is generally set up at the end of the path leading through the dunes from Long Reef Surf Life Saving Club.
As we’re working outdoors, we sometimes move the setup slightly to find the best position for the wind and conditions on the day. Just look for our Aussie Santa signs from the car park and they’ll point you in the right direction.
See map for our usual location.
FAQs
Where should we park?
The closest parking is the Long Reef Beach car park beside Long Reef Surf Life Saving Club. Northern Beaches Council permit holders can park in accordance with their permit conditions, and paid parking is available for vehicles without a permit. Or if you don’t want to pay just park on Pittwater Rd.
Important if you’re coming from the south: you cannot turn right from Pittwater Road directly into the Long Reef car park. You’ll need to continue past the car park entrance, make a U-turn when safe and approach again from the north.
Parking can be busy on beautiful summer afternoons, so please allow a little extra time to find a spot and walk through the dunes to Santa.
What time should we arrive?
Please aim to arrive around 5 minutes before your booked time.
We book families into 5-minute time slots to keep the afternoon flowing, but we know that families, children, traffic and parking don’t always run perfectly to schedule!
If you’re a little early or late, don’t panic. We juggle things around throughout the afternoon and will make sure everyone gets their time with Santa.
If you’re running very late, please send us a quick message so we know you’re still coming.
The most important thing is that you arrive before the final Santa sessions finish for the day. If you arrive after we’ve packed up, unfortunately even our Christmas magic won’t be able to bring Santa back! 🎅
How long is our session?
Approximately 5 minutes.
It might sound quick, but after more than a decade of Aussie Santa Photos we’ve got it down to a fine art. Five minutes is generally plenty of time to get a lovely variety without asking little ones to sit still for too long.
What should we wear?
The most important thing when choosing outfits is to think of the whole family’s clothing as one overall outfit.
If everyone’s clothes were somehow put onto one person, would the colours and patterns work together?
Keep things fairly simple and classic so your photographs don’t date too quickly. Colour looks beautiful against the beach, and combinations such as white, turquoise and yellow; cream, taupe and browns; red, white and blue; or purple and grey all work beautifully.
Try to avoid large logos, very crinkly fabrics, precisely matching siblings and too many competing colours or patterns.
Most importantly, make sure everyone is comfortable. Children are much more likely to enjoy their Santa session if they’re not wearing something itchy, tight or uncomfortable.
If you’re unsure, lay everyone’s clothes out together on the bed beforehand — it’s a great way to see whether everything works together.
What happens if it rains?
A little rain doesn’t necessarily stop Aussie Santa.
We have a small marquee that provides some protection from passing showers, so sessions can generally continue through light or intermittent rain.
If the weather is looking unsuitable for photography, we’ll assess conditions on the day rather than cancelling unnecessarily based on an earlier forecast.
If we need to postpone the sessions because of bad weather, we’ll contact you late morning on the day and arrange an alternative date.
What if it's really bright?
Even in the afternoon, the beach can be very bright because the light reflects off the sand.
We position families to make the most of the available light, but if you or your children are particularly sensitive to bright light, consider bringing sunglasses or incorporating them into your outfits.
What if it's windy?
It’s the beach — so sometimes we get a decent sea breeze!
If wind is forecast, bring a hair tie, clip or headband for anyone with longer hair. Santa hats and Christmas headbands can also work beautifully while keeping hair under control.
What if my child is scared of Santa?
Please do not worry. We see this every year and we will work around your child rather than putting pressure on them.
There is absolutely no requirement for a child to sit beside Santa or interact with him if they do not want to.
Sometimes Santa will go for a little walk while we start photographing the family. He might hide behind his surfboard and quietly appear in the background once your child is comfortable. We have even had little ones happily photographed with Santa popping up behind them without ever realising he was there!
Every child is different, so we take our lead from them and do our best to create a lovely set of photographs while keeping the experience relaxed and positive.
How many photographs will we receive?
You’ll receive a minimum of 3 professionally edited high-resolution digital images.
If we’ve captured some extra images we love, you may find a few additional surprises in your gallery too.
When will we receive our photos?
Your photographs are generally available to download within approximately 48 hours of your session.
We’ll email you when they’re ready, so please make sure the email address on your booking is correct.
Can we bring our dog?
We know dogs are part of the family too, and many families have included their dogs in their Aussie Santa Photos over the years.
If you choose to bring your dog, please keep them on a leash and under your control at all times.
Long Reef contains a number of protected areas and Council restrictions relating to dogs vary depending on exactly where you are within the reserve, beach and aquatic reserve. Dogs are prohibited from some areas, including the Long Reef Aquatic Reserve and beach area, and restrictions and signage must be observed.
Bringing a dog is at the owner’s discretion and responsibility. Please follow all Northern Beaches Council signage and directions applicable to the area on the day. J Roberts Photography cannot provide permission for dogs to enter an area where Council restrictions apply.
If wildlife such as seals or nesting birds are present, please keep your dog well away and follow any directions given by Council, National Parks or other authorised officers.
Do you take bookings for Bigger or Extended Families?
What's your cancellation policy?
If you’re unable to attend your session, please let us know as soon as possible.
We do not accept change-of-mind cancellations within 24 hours of your booked session. However, you’re welcome to transfer your booking to another family if you can no longer attend — just let us know.
Where possible, we’ll endeavour to assist with changes requested before the 24-hour cancellation period, subject to availability.
What's the best time of day for photos?
Are older children and teenagers too old for Aussie Santa?
Definitely not!
Aussie Santa changes as the kids grow. With older children and teenagers we can have a little more fun – crazy poses, snowballs, sibling antics and whatever else gets everyone laughing.
For families who have been coming for years, continuing the annual Santa photograph becomes less about sitting nicely beside Santa and more about keeping a much-loved family Christmas tradition going.
Aussie Santa Booking Conditions
Bookings and payment
Bookings are confirmed once payment has been successfully processed.
Please carefully check the date and time displayed when booking. Our booking system automatically moves to the next date with availability when a selected date is unavailable.
Session times and arrival
Aussie Santa sessions are approximately 5 minutes per family.
Please aim to arrive around 5 minutes before your booked time. We understand that delays happen and will do our best to accommodate families who arrive early or late by adjusting the running order throughout the session.
If you’re running significantly late, please contact us to let us know you’re still coming.
Provided you arrive before the final sessions finish for the day, we’ll do our best to make sure you still get your allocated time with Santa.
We cannot guarantee a session if you arrive after the day’s Santa photography has finished.
Cancellations and changes
If you’re unable to attend your session, please let us know as soon as possible.
We do not accept change-of-mind cancellations within 24 hours of your booked session. However, you’re welcome to transfer your booking to another family if you can no longer attend — just let us know.
Where possible, we’ll endeavour to assist with changes requested before the 24-hour cancellation period, subject to availability.
Nothing in this cancellation policy limits any rights or remedies you may have under the Australian Consumer Law.
Weather
Aussie Santa Photos are an outdoor experience, and normal beach conditions such as wind, cloud or light showers will not necessarily result in cancellation.
If weather or other conditions mean we cannot reasonably run the sessions, we’ll contact booked families and arrange an alternative date.
Dogs
If you choose to bring a dog, you do so at your own discretion and responsibility.
Dogs must be appropriately restrained and under their owner’s control. Owners are responsible for complying with all applicable Northern Beaches Council requirements, signage and any directions given by authorised officers.
Long Reef contains protected areas where dogs are prohibited, including the Long Reef Aquatic Reserve and beach area. J Roberts Photography does not provide permission for dogs to enter any area where they are otherwise prohibited.
Children and supervision
A parent, guardian or responsible adult must remain responsible for children throughout their visit.
Long Reef is a public outdoor coastal location, so please supervise children around the beach, dunes, paths, water, wildlife and other beach users.
Your photographs
Your booking includes a minimum of 3 professionally edited high-resolution digital images selected and edited by J Roberts Photography.
Images are generally supplied via digital download within approximately 48 hours.
Your photographs are supplied for personal use, including printing, Christmas cards, sharing with family and friends and personal social media.
Copyright remains with J Roberts Photography. RAW and unedited files are not supplied.
Marketing permission
During booking, you can choose whether to give J Roberts Photography permission to use selected photographs from your session on our website, social media or other promotional material.
Marketing permission is entirely optional and is not a condition of booking.
If you don’t select the marketing permission option, your photographs will not be intentionally selected for our promotional use.
Australian Consumer Law
Nothing in these Booking Conditions excludes, restricts or modifies any consumer guarantee, right or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law.
Clients Reviews
Get in Touch
If you have questions please give us your details and we’ll get right back to you.
Gallery
