It's a balmy afternoon as Santa strolls along a scenic Port Macquarie beach, ready for an afternoon chatting to families and their dogs.
In the distance, there's a rumble of thunder as storm clouds gather.
Photographer Meredith Bauer hears it, but keeps setting up, determined to capture at least some of the planned Aussie-style Santa photos on the beach.
This year she's already faced a consistent run of wet and stormy weather in the northern New South Wales town.
"This season has definitely been like no other in terms of weather," Ms Bauer said.
"This is our 10th year of Santa on the beach and never have we experience so much wet weather in a season.
"We have had multiple sessions that have been rescheduled.
"But we push through even if it's a bit overcast, it's amazing how beautiful an overcast photo can be, and our aim is always to make sure children are having fun with Santa on the beach."
There have been days they haven't seen a storm coming until the last minute, making the sessions a balancing act.
"I am there trying to get to all these people that I can see are lined up waiting for their photos, on top of trying to make a call that it's time to call it off," Ms Bauer said.
As for Santa (real name Roger O'Neill), he has been taking the wild weather in his stride, but says he does prefer snow over rain.
"Some storms have come in very quickly and we have managed to get very wet sometimes, just trying to get away back to my sleigh so I could take off," he said.
"Due to all the inclement weather earlier in the year, with the floods at Port Macquarie, a lot of sand had been washed away so sometimes the water is coming right up around my photo shoot.
"I nearly got washed away one day."
Socially-distanced Santa
COVID-19 has created another set of challenges over the past couple of years.
"Our 'Santatiser' has returned. We didn't really think Santa could get much more difficult than last year with Covid, but this year that did occur," Ms Bauer said.
"We had to follow social distancing guidelines but also had to have people double vaccinated as well."
Ms Bauer says they rescheduled people where possible to try to accommodate vaccination bookings.
'Wonderful' to watch families grow
Families are increasingly seeking alternative Santa photos, and the Port Macquarie beach sessions now have a waiting list.
Ms Bauer says it's a rewarding job, that comes with its challenges.
"We don't only juggle babies, children, kids that are scared of Santa, we have pets to throw in there as well, that's always an interesting session," she said.
Mr O'Neill says he loves seeing the local children in Port Macquarie.
