CASE STUDY — PHOTOGRAPHY
Putting the Yarra Valley's night sky on the map
Client
Kangaroo Ridge Retreat
Services
Astrophotography
Location
Yarra Valley, Victoria
Sector
Tourism & hospitality
Usage
Print, digital, OOH, events
Outcome
20 hero product images
THE CHALLENGE
Kangaroo Ridge Retreat was launching a new stargazing experience, led by an experienced astronomer, for guests staying at the retreat. There was one problem: no imagery. Nothing showed the experience itself, and nothing proved how clear and dark the night sky above the ridge could be.
Night photography is unforgiving. It needs the right conditions, the right technical skill and a clear plan for working in the dark with guests, a telescope and an astronomer. Unscrambled was engaged for our astrophotography work in New Zealand, Canada and Outback Australia.
THE APPROACH
We were formally engaged in April, but astrophotography runs on the sky's schedule. Bad weather pushed the shoot back repeatedly, and it finally went ahead in October, when conditions came good.
The shoot began at golden hour and blue hour at one of the retreat's cabins, building the story of arriving and settling in before the night began. With two talent and the astronomer guide, we then moved up to the stargazing ridge to photograph the stars and the guest experience, including guests using the telescope. The night wrapped around midnight.
A few hours later, at 4:30am, we were back out to capture the Milky Way again and the sunrise, so the finished library covers the whole arc from dusk to dawn.experiences.
WHAT WE DELIVERED
Pre-production planning around light, weather and astronomical conditions
Direction of two talent and the astronomer guide
Golden hour and blue hour photography at the retreat's cabin
Astrophotography and guest-experience imagery on the stargazing ridge
Pre-dawn Milky Way and sunrise photography
20 hero images turned around in one business day, licensed to use across the retreat's marketing and with trade partners
THE OUTCOME
Kangaroo Ridge Retreat now has a complete visual library for its new stargazing experience, showing the sky, the setting and the guest experience. The images are ready for the retreat's own channels and for trade partners including Visit Victoria and Tourism East.
Let’s work together
If you're interested in working with us, complete the form with a few details about your project. We'll review your message and get back to you within 48 hours.