LOCATION, LOCATION

WORDS LAHNEE PAVLOVICH

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION. Well, sort of. There are defi nitely cameras, most likely light set-ups and the action comes from a range of businesses, models and infl uencers making their way to the Sunshine Coast for their photo shoots. It seems we locals aren’t the only ones who appreciate the untapped beauty of the region and all it has to offer. We already know tourists fl ock to admire our pristine beaches, drive for hours to appreciate our lush hinterland and hit the strips for the foodie scene that keeps on growing, but more recently, people are also heading here for their photo shoots. And a range of stunning properties across the Coast is providing the goods to accommodate. Let us introduce you to a few of them.

PALMA SOLEADA

Who: Palma Soleada with Natalie Sullivan. What: We purchased land in Diddillibah and built our home, Palma Soleada, around a concept inspired by Palm Springs. When: We have been living in the house since August 2019 and opened it up to the public for photo shoots in May this year. I have my own blog and Instagram account where I work with various brands for content creation for promotion or for their own use, and up until now I only used the house for styling my own photo shoots. But it was built by my husband and professionally styled and is just too beautiful not to share. We now have usually two shoots a week. Best features: We always wanted there to be a huge front door, lots of glass, and for you to be able to see the pool from the moment you walked into the home, because that is the biggest feature of our property, the pool area. It really plays on that Palm Springs vibe that we wanted, as well as the abundance of natural light which fi lls every room. Natural light is a photographer’s dream and I think that is why they are so attracted to Palma Soleada. Who shoots there? So far, the women’s clothing space has really taken off here. Actually, the brand I have been most excited to work with here is Billy J Boutique because they are a big brand now that operate from the Sunshine Coast and employ a lot of locals. I wear clothing from their brand and shop in their local store.

MAYAN FARM

Who: Mayan Luxe Villas with Brett Gowley and Jodie Williams. What: Mayan Luxe Villas in the Noosa hinterland was designed and constructed from rammed earth and recycled timbers and took two years to build and perfect. When: We fi nished our dream abode in 2020 and decided to offer it to guests in January this year. It’s for anyone seeking a luxury country escape, or shoot location in the Noosa hinterland reminiscent of an overseas Tuscan villa. Best features: Mayan Luxe Villas can best be described as “functional art”. There are lots of quirky bits and pieces and amazing craftsmanship in the fi xtures and fi ttings to focus on even before you venture outside and want to catch a view shot, or 20. We are also a working farm on more than 100 acres of fertile grazing land. It really is a special space. Oh, and the re-purposed front door handles come from the Pirates of the Caribbean movie set. So, Johnny Depp has touched those handles! Who shoots there? Our experience has been that people book our property for the accommodation fi rstly, and when they arrive, they can’t believe how much it is a photographer’s dream. We have had several infl uencers stay and use Mayan Luxe Villas for photo shoots and brand shoots, together with local tourism organisations and media. It’s a photographic world these days. Everyone relies on photos to add to their print and online platforms. Now, more than ever, photo shoot locations can convey a sense of travel without actually having to travel that far. It’s “visual escapism” and brings back memories of happy holiday times.

SOL NOOSA

Who: Sol Noosa with Eloise Smith. What: There are so many beautiful, neutral coastal homes and I wanted this house to be different. I have drawn inspiration from the places I’ve visited around the world from the islands in the Mediterranean to the villas in Bali. I like to mix modern with rustic, minimal with antique. I love textures and bold colours balanced by long, clean, minimal lines. I love big, bold statement pieces, which can be seen throughout, as well as rich colours and hues of the sea. I design to create zones and spaces and to cultivate how I want people to feel rather than focusing purely on aesthetics. I also try to be brave with decisions and create the things I wish existed even if people think my ideas are wild! When: I’ve only been offering the space as a shoot location since about July and have already had four bookings and lots of interest. Best features: The property has a number of unique features and one that is particularly special is the outdoor bathroom. Photographers say they love the fact our house has lots of different textures, surfaces and backdrops, so with a bit of creativity you can make the photos look like they are from multiple locations. There is everything – clean minimal surfaces, rustic timbers – so there is a lot to work with from a creative viewpoint. There is also so much natural light, greenery, indoor plants. It’s beautiful. Who shoots there? The age of Instagram and the desire to capture our entire lives through photos and then show it to the world has defi nitely contributed to the demand for shoot locations. I think historically, shoot locations were a very high price and only accessible to big brands, but now an infl uencer, a start-up or a new freelancer can afford to hire a space for an hour or a day and adorn their Instagram feed with beautiful photos. I think there’s also an element of selling an ‘ideal or aspirational lifestyle’ and what better way to do that than with photographs in beautiful homes and locations. So far, I’m seeing a lot of interest from chefs, life coaches and holistic practitioners, self-care businesses and, of course, infl uencers. I am excited to see who I attract as the business grows.

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MUDJIMBA HANGOUT

Who: Mudjimba Hangout with Leah Baily. What: We styled our home to match the relaxed, boho lifestyle of Mudjimba. It’s fi lled with items either locally sourced from the Sunshine Coast or picked up on our travels around the world. So each area of the house really tells a story because it is so eclectic. We’ve also bought the outside in with our collection of indoor plants, so it’s quite the jungle! When: Photo shoot bookings are worked in among our Airbnb holiday bookings and we generally have at least one shoot a week and it’s growing fast. We’ve been offering the space for shoots for the last four years and these days we book out for shoots months in advance. Best features: Our home is very coastal and calming, so it’s designed for and really just the perfect backdrop for people promoting healthy lifestyles and related products. Who shoots there? We have such a diverse range of people from boutique retail stores, fi tness clothing brands, real estate agencies, wellness retreats, mental health counsellors, chefs and bedding, baby and beauty products – it’s always interesting seeing how people use the space and what wonderful creative images teams can achieve. I think photo shoot locations have opened up a world of easy-to-access ‘backdrops’ for clients, which are so accessible these days too.

To help make choosing your suave locale so much easier, businesses like ALOCA are also popping up. According to owners Aleace Cunningham and Rachael Radulovic, Aloca is like an “Airbnb for photo shoots”. “The idea was born out of all the interest in beautiful unique spaces and renovations,” Rachael says. “We also know first-hand how challenging it can be to find the right locations for shoots and smaller events, so we started digging into properties and made it our mission to operate a service that provides our users with the ability to discover unique spaces for creative collaboration,” she says. Aloca launched in March this year and already has more than 80 properties including 15 on the Sunshine Coast. “Our main clientele are photographers, product/brand owners, creative directors, TV production companies, digital managers,” Aleace says. “We are starting to see a growing interest in small events, like creative workshops as well as private dinners too.” And it seems that these special locations are drawing in the big names. “Michael Hill Jewellery, Legoe Heritage Maternity, Netflix just to name a few,” Rachael says. Visit aloca.com.au