Great white shark leaps out of the Pacific in the background of a beachgoer's photo near California's Monterey Bay

Erin King was at Marina State Beach on October 17 when a group of girls, whom she had just photographed, returned the favour by taking her picture. The shark broke the surface behind her at that very moment. California State Park cameras recorded a breach at around 12.20pm, and Chief Ranger Mike Dippel said the timestamps lined up precisely, making it 'very likely to be the same shark'.

King on the breach: 'It happened so fast... I don't think anybody else really did.'

Footage shows King open-mouthed, repeatedly pointing out to sea at the shark.

Dippel warned autumn is peak great white season: 'It is that time of the year.'