When Plan B Becomes the Better Idea
Not every shoot goes exactly to plan.
In fact, this one started with a weather forecast that kept changing.
Our original vision for this concept was inspired by the playful, and effortlessly cool world of Miu Miu. Think city streets, parks, and those candid moments that make you feel like you've stumbled into someone's day rather than a photoshoot.
Then Melbourne reminded us who's really in charge.
We actually had to reschedule because of the rain… and when the new shoot day arrived, it was still raining. Whoops.
At that point, we had two choices: cancel again or adapt.
So we adapted.
Sometimes the Location Finds You
Instead of hiring a studio, I decided to try something different.
For almost the same price as a studio hire, I booked a three-night stay at a beautiful Airbnb in St Kilda. It gave us something we didn't originally plan for, beautiful natural light, clean white walls, thoughtfully designed interiors, and plenty of spaces that worked surprisingly well for the concept.
What was originally our backup plan quickly became part of the creative direction.
A huge thank you to our Airbnb host for letting us transform the space into our own little editorial set. If you're looking for somewhere to stay around St Kilda, surrounded by cafés, restaurants, and everything the area has to offer, it's definitely worth checking out.
Creativity Is Solving Problems
Looking back, I was honestly quite anxious leading up to this shoot.
When you've spent weeks planning a concept around outdoor locations, it's easy to feel like everything is falling apart when the weather doesn't cooperate.
But this shoot reminded me of something important.
Creative direction isn't about having perfect conditions.
It's about finding opportunities within the unexpected.
Some of our favourite images from the day weren't even part of the original moodboard.
They happened because we stayed flexible.
Creative Team
Photography & Creative Direction: @t.u.e.s
Head Stylist: @styledby.ebonylouise
Models: @moonlightfaye & @nyyanhial
Makeup: @makeup.by.shane & @makeupbyapoorva
Assistant Stylist: @dreamtbykeeley
Producer: @socialsyncau
Location: St Kilda Airbnb
More Than Just One Shoot
One unexpected bonus of staying at the Airbnb for a few days was having extra time to create.
Outside of the concept shoot, I was also able to do content for my own personal brand, something that's usually the first thing to get pushed aside when client work gets busy.
It was a nice reminder that investing in a space can serve more than one purpose.
Sometimes it's not just about the campaign you're creating today, but all the ideas that come from slowing down and making the most of where you are.
Creativity isn't about perfect conditions
Creativity isn't about perfect conditions, it's about making the most of what you have. This shoot reminded us that sometimes the unexpected leads to the best results.
Every production comes with its own surprises.
Having the right creative team means you're never navigating them alone. If you're planning your next campaign, we'd love to help bring it to life.
