In the beginning the big question was 'how?', but after three weeks of planning and organising, Jessica Dyer and Marianna Kruger have created the ultimate rustic Santa photo shoot for families at the Small Wine Makers Centre.

"I spoke to a few people about Santa photos and everybody was saying they were going to Sydney for them and I said 'why don't you do it in Mudgee?' but they were after something different and that is what we have created," Marianna said.

"For me, I'm huge on memories and traditions. I'm very particular in that if I do something, I like to do it every year or similar each year. I was like 'what if they cancel them? How are we still going to be able to have that memory?," Jessica said.

The photo shoot features Santa perched up on his chair reading a book to the child/family who are placed on the opposite side in front of the Christmas tree, and so far, the response from participating families has been 'fantastic'.

"We weren't quite sure how it would work so we decided to set the kids on one side of the set while Santa is on the other. We change it up but maintain social distancing, and after each booking we completely sanitise the area," Jessica said.

"Sometimes it's a bit difficult because the kids want to interact with Santa and others just burst out in tears, it's hard to manage but it works with the two of us," Marianna said.

"I'm new and a foreigner, I don't know a lot of people in Mudgee so as a photographer, this is great in terms of me getting to meet new people and families. We are both local businesses and we want people to know we're here.

"Santa photos are just the best, everybody is just so happy, and I just want to bring that to Mudgee."

Given its success and how much the pair enjoy creating memories for others, it is likely they will once again bring Christmas cheer to Mudgee in the coming years.

"We hope to do it bigger and better next year. We have worked out what we will do a little bit differently, we both already have lots of ideas," Jessica said.

To book for a Santa photo package, email santa_photos_mudgee@outlook.com or message Mudgee Event Co or Marianna Photography on Facebook or Instagram.