Bloggers 101 Guide – Melbourne Location Scouting

When you’re a blogger, you also become a part time stylist, a creative director, a writer, a photographer and sometimes a ‘try hard’ model. Fellow blogger and friend Jess Alizzi (of Jessica and Love,) and I went out and about in Melbourne to give you a Bloggers 101 Guide to finding the ideal locations in Melbourne to shoot your next outfit or blog post.

The backdrop of your photo really sets the scene, creates a mood and most importantly makes your outfit that much more amazing. Together we have chosen some of the best spots, in particular the home of Melbourne’s Italian culture, Carlton. Famous as the Italian precinct with restaurants, cafes and shopping galore, but for a blogger ideal for its very cool and quiet alley ways, painted brick walls and double storey terraces. With a location like this the scene is set, cafes at hand when in need for a break, the options are endless … but here are my tips and tricks, locations when photographing (and eating!) in Melbourne.

Locations to shoot:

• For quiet alley ways and brick walls head down Drummond Street, only a block away from bustling cafes and restaurants on Lygon Street.
• A couple of the best lanes with pristine white walls and framed windows head down University Street.
• Head down Faraday Street to find glossy house door fronts and quaint black and white terraces.
• Queensberry Street is great for various textured brick walls and cobble stone floors – keep your eyes peeled for the small side streets.
• Not so far up the road on Rathdowne Street the very eye catching and ultra modern IMAX Melbourne Museum. Ideal bold colour and contemporary design building.
• Next door, a juxtaposition, for 18th Century Victorian architecture is the Royal Exhibition Building –  a must for all bloggers out there! (The spot where the likes of Tony Bianco and Wittner shoots take place).

Places to eat whilst in the area:

• Pick up a coffee at Doc Delicatessen or Market Lane Coffee, a pastry at Baker D. Chirico or a must try little Melbourne treasure brunch spot at The Vertue Of The Coffee Drink
• Whilst in the heart of Melbourne’s Little Italy, don’t pass up the opportunity for an authentic pizza at DOC Pizza & Mozarella Bar
• End the day, (surely well deserved!) with a scoop or two at Pidapipo Gelateria (Salted Caramel and Nutella Swirl are defiantly recommended)

Blogger 101 Shoot Prep Check list:

• Find inspiration – both for outfit and styling. Also ideas for locations and/or photography angles. Knowing what look you want ahead of time will get the job done. Search on Instagram, Pinterest or through magazines and gather as much as you can. You can then use all this and create your own take on the photos you love and admire.
  
• Plan and organise all outfit/s prior, even if it means to try everything on to see what works. Even pack a couple of extra jackets or bags, sometimes a little hint of inspiration may arise when you’re out and about.
• Location scout. You may have a particular outfit in mind that needs the ideal setting or vice a verse (you want to shoot at a particular location and need to find an appropriate suiting outfit). Think about what mood you want to set, time of day for lighting and what scenario and props are going to make you outfit look the best.
• Check the forecast ahead of time – you don’t want to be caught out mid shoot by bad weather (which Melbourne is so renown for)
• Beautify yourself – wash your hair the night before, paint nails (hands and toes!) and apply a natural amount of tan (if needed).
• Get your hands on a DLSR camera (an iPhone can only do some much). Remember to charge your camera, even better bring a spare battery!

Hope this has been a useful guide that has inspired you to get shooting in Melbourne. If the amazing architecture and alley ways don’t excite you I’m sure all the buzz of Carlton’s ‘Little Italy’ will have you drooling and have you coming back for more pizza and ice cream!

Flat lays, food and location photos by yours truly.
Outfit photos by Jess Alizzi (of Jessica and Love) be sure to check out her take on these Melbourne locations too!

Love to know whether you would love Jess and I to do a part two!

If you are interested in Sydney based locations to shoot do not hesitate to visit the amazing Ashley at www.missgunner.com for location spots in the very cool Surry Hills.