Stockton Sand Dunes

A long time ago, (in what could almost be a far away galaxy) I took some behind the scenes photos at a shoot Sonny was doing for KAREN magazine. I wrote some words to go along with it and, curiously, never posted it here.

I don't know how it slipped through the cracks, and I only discovered it had because I was searching for my three behind the scenes' that I had covered for the magazine.

So, better late than never…

"4am starts are not completely uncommon in the modelling world, but it’s not the greatest time of day to be heading off to work either. Many of us would have still have been languid under sheets by the time the crew met up with Ben at Anna Bay, some 200km north of Sydney.
Ben was in charge our fully equipped ‘Pix’ 4WD location van, as well as being Sonny’s assistant for the day. The Pix truck had an esky in it big enough to hide a body in (and by halfway through the day we would have had volunteers to try it out), though we just crammed it with water, water, water. Predictions were for a hot day, and we could feel it already. After loading people, clothes, make-up, cameras, lights and food into the 2 4WDs, we headed out onto Stockton Bight sand dunes. This 32km stretch of constantly moving sand is home to a unique cluster of houses known as 'Tin City'.

The houses, made predominantly of tin, have been a part of the dune landscape since the Depression era, and were even used in the film Mad Max. They are home now to a select few long-term residents who are tenuously allowed to stay while waiting to reach an accord between National Parks and Wildlife, and the traditional owners of the land, the Worimi people.

One of those residents and a friend of Sonny’s, Robbie, had kindly allowed us the use of his house for the day, and had organised for his neighbour to look after his rather diligent guard dogs.
Before the sea-breeze picked up around midday, inside Robbie’s house was warmer than outside, but what a great space it was! Robbie seems to have an idyllic lifestyle living there. Solar power and a constant supply of fresh water just a few metres below the sand. Catching fish for dinner, and a stunning location to just sit and watch the ever changing landscape. The colours on the dunes as the sun makes it’s way across them each day, the undulating lines sometimes barely visible against each other in the glare, and the stark contrast of the shacks against smooth mounds. It is a visual paradise. I guess the biggest problem is keeping the shifting sands away from the windows and doors, but inside the house was surprisingly sand-free – I guess Robbie was well-practised at it.
Travis, hair, and Victoria, make-up, quickly set to work on the gorgeous Simone, while Michael and Heather prepared all the clothes. There they were, beautiful long flowing gowns, juxtaposed in Robbie’s garage, next to the old quad bike, skirts trailing in the sand!
Only Sonny and I had been to the Tin City before, so everyone was pretty excited about the location, and after slathering the invisible zinc on Simone’s alabaster skin, and Victoria checking that her make-up was sweat-proof (Oh who am I kidding? Models don’t sweat!), we were ready to shoot. Taking turns holding umbrellas for shade, and light stands up against the wind, everyone pitched in where they could. The wind and heat were a challenge, but it’s a testament to the professionalism of the crew, that they didn’t let it get to them. The latex, the ruffles, tulle and jewels, the heels, and the sand! It was great fun. Well, maybe not the latex and heels-in-dunes for Simone, but bless her, she smiled all day. Sonny shot 8 outfits, and in between changes, everyone would huddle in shade to review the pictures. We loved what we were seeing. The dresses were divine and the breeze captured their fluid lines perfectly. If only we could all look that great on the sand! Did I mention it was hot? We all wanted to jump in the surf to cool off, but an abundance of fish in the area includes a large number of Great White Sharks, so we erred on the side of caution and just kept drinking water.
Sonny called it a wrap after sunset and we loaded up the vans in darkness, making it home close to midnight. A very long day, but what a great shoot."