Your profile picture will never be the same.
Your profile picture will never be the same.
New Gold Coast local & Co-Founder Tim Jones, chats to Inside Gold Coast about the creation and story behind the next holiday essential, “Travelshoot”.
For those that aren’t in the know, can you tell us exactly what “Travelshoot” is?
Travelshoot connects travelers with a network of local, professional photographers in over 70 destinations around the world to capture those once in a life time memories. We have worked with local photographers in each destination to create various 1, 2 & 4 hour experiences that best capture the city with a focus on candid, natural images. The longer the experience, the more locations and photos that are captured.
What was the inspiration behind Travelshoot & did you have any help starting up?
My business partner Sarah, who is also my entrepreneurial older sister, went to New York with her partner and they connected with a good friend of ours who was a photographer in New York at the time. They did a photoshoot with him and the images that came back were amazing and now feature all over their home and that was the light bulb that spawned Travelshoot. Since then, Sarah has featured on a Channel 10/Optus My Shark Tank episode which she won as well as taking out a position in BRW’s top 20 under 40 changing the face of QLD business. We have since partnered with Flight Centre Travel Group where you are able to buy our experiences today and more recently with Helloworld Travel which will be operational early next year.
What is the most popular “Travelshoot” destination so far?
Unsurprisingly, New York has been the most popular destination so far followed by Paris and Bali.
Travelshoot destinations on the Gold Coast?
We currently have Main Beach and Coolangatta as options however we are working on a number of others including Currumbin and the hinterlands. We have a great network of photographers down here and as the process is fairly dynamic, we are always happy to work in with customers and where they are wanting to have their experience take place.
Who can use travel shoot & why?
It genuinely is a product for almost anyone without sounding like a gimmicky salesman. We have had a real mix of customers from solo travelers, families, honeymooners, multi generation families, bucket list holidays, girls’ trips and surprise proposals.
What do you guys look for when selecting your photographers?
Its finding that perfect mix of great, natural photography and someone who has a friendly fun nature. We want our customers to not only get amazing photos but also to have a fun, comfortable experience with a local who knows how to have a good time. I’ve been fortunate to do a few Travelshoot’s now both here on the coast and also in New York and laughed all the way through them with our photographers, got some great insights into the city and also had a coffee or beer with them afterwards which tends to happen a lot!
You’re favourite thing about being a part of Travelshoot?
The anticipation waiting for a new album to come in. Getting to be the first person after the photographer to see the amazing images of a surprise proposal in Paris or of a family having the best time on an island in Fiji always makes the day pretty special.
You’ve moved from Brivegas to the Gold Coast, why?
After Travelshoot got up and running, both my sister and I both left our corporate, city jobs for the lifestyle the coast has to offer and the affinity with our brand. The beaches are the best in the world and the food options down here seem to get better by the day with a new place opening every other week its hard to keep up! From a business perspective, the tourism industry down here is massive and having a great airport only a 10-minute drive away allows me to travel interstate without any issue.
Your top travel tip?
Noise cancelling headphones are an absolute must. My sister bought me a great pair of Bose headphones last year and I’ll never go back.
Coffee Shops
Eats
Spots for a beverage or two
Beaches
Want to book your own Travelshoot click here.
By Amy Merridan
The Gold Coast Film Festival opens today and with it comes an exciting array of creative projects that will make us laugh, question everything and become acquainted with a flock of up and coming filmmakers.
One such filmmaker is Gold Coast local Jude Kalman whose powerful documentary premiers on Thursday April 20 at Event Cinemas Robina.
We spoke to Jude about Uncontained Love: Love > Fear and how she hopes to stimulate some much-needed conversations.
Your film Uncontained Love: Love > Fear is premiering at the Gold Coast Film Festival, why did you decide to show it here first?
I am a proud Gold Coaster and to share this story smack bang in the middle of the GC is a dream! My goal as a story teller is to take people somewhere… so if I can take Gold Coasters to Africa I am a happy camper because most of the people I know and love (live on the GC) and have never been!
What’s the story about?
Uncontained Love is a three part doco series that follows an organisation delivering shipping containers filled with educational supplies, medical equipment and all things in between to communities throughout Africa.
It tells stories of the transformation that occurs in these African communities when the containers are delivered, and the work of partnering organisations who, in the face of great need, respond in love.
Uncontained Love: Love > Fear seeks to stimulate conversation about refugees and how we might respond to the needs of those most profoundly impacted by crisis in Africa.
How did the film come to be?
I have worked in the corporate sector for the past decade, my experience has taken me throughout the world shooting commercials, corporates, film clips and educational DVDs. One day the penny dropped! I always wanted to use my skill set to help NGO’s, the small ones doing big things.
I have known Chris Shadbolt (one of the main characters in the doco) for a long time and thought this guy does amazing work and not many people know about it, so why not do it! I love travel and I love a good story and boy were there some stories! As I travelled with Chris the stories just kept on coming. They were uncontained!
Your documentary is self-funded, what does it take to put something like this together?
A LOT! Four things come to mind:
Willingness: I knew it would cost me, that it would take some sacrifice. Good bye sleeping and weekends… but it was worth it!
Determination: I have had so much support from my family and friends but it was always still up to me to bring it home. It was loads of hard work which I could critique but then I think, I did this pretty much on my own. On the last trip Carrie-Anne Greenbank helped interview the people (which was AWESOME!) but every shot you see, no matter how good or bad, I am standing, sitting or crouching behind the camera.
Contacts: I connected with people I knew to start me on this story telling journey. Not just the people I travelled with in Africa but also through my work. I also borrowed gear, which added to the challenge of making something out of what I had in my hand (A CANON 5D Mark III).
Humility: I needed to remind myself why I did it. Again coming from the corporate sector you become quite a harsh critic of your work. But I made this doco because I wanted to tell a story as I found it. In the moments I cringe at a shot or an edit point I don’t like… I have to get over myself and say ‘wow I did what I did with what I had in my hand’.
What do you hope people take from seeing Uncontained Love: Love > Fear?
This doco is dedicated to the 40+ million refugees in the world and those who have not forgotten them. I hope it honors them and I hope it introduces people to other people.
I hope it stimulates thought and conversation about the universal laws of love and fear, which I believe we all face.
As a Gold Coast local, how have you seen the art and culture scene grow over the years?
I have seen a massive growth and I love it. There is so much happening on the GC. I think some people underestimate the talent on the Gold Coast but that hasn’t stopped any one of us pursuing its growth.
Are you working on anything else at the moment?
Before our week in Nigeria Carrie-Anne Greenbank and I took four days out to shoot the doco that aired on Channel 9 on Easter weekend – Aussie Mum African Heart. It was a bit of hit on the weekend!
You might have also seen the latest Amy Shark film clip for her single Weekends, pretty chuffed to say I directed that!
And with all of that underway travelling and shooting for Fotomedia, next trip is classified… but it’s cool!
Your favourite piece of life advice?
Be gentle as a dove and cunning as a serpent.
You’re not a Gold Coast local if you haven’t…
Chilled on Burleigh headland.
Being a Gold Coast local we have to ask for your favourites…
Beach: Currumbin
Restaurant: Commune – it’s not a restaurant but my fave go out meal is brekky.
Bar: Wherever live music is playing
Coffee Shop: Blackboard
Ellie Bullen is the foodie mastermind behind Elsa’s Wholesome Life, an insanely popular Instagram page and website showcasing her passion for a plant-based lifestyle and the beautiful recipes she creates.
Ellie, who studied at University on the Gold Coast, will be appearing at Robina Town Centre’s Elixaba, this week for a cooking demonstration as part of her newly acquired role as The Kitchens first ambassador.
We chat with Ellie about her take on the Coast’s foodie scene and all things green.
What do you love about the Gold Coast’s foodie scene?
There are so many healthy and fresh places to eat now! Not only are there plenty of plant based cafes but also options for vegans everywhere! I think the foodie scene is also really getting on board with latest trends and making dishes that are so visually appealing.
How has it changed since you last visited?
I’m lucky enough to have travelled to some incredible places around the world, but the more I travel, the more I realise how good we have it here on the Gold Coast! There is such a talented pool of local chefs and restauranteurs who are continuing to innovate and raise the bar when it comes to creating amazing food concepts, and we are so spoiled for choice now when it comes to accessing wholesome foods and dishes.
Why did you decide to become an ambassador for The Kitchens?
I think it just aligns so well with my beliefs and it was a natural fit! The Kitchens is all about celebrating good food, and there’s also heaps of plant based food outlets and options, which is so unique for a shopping centre. Plus, the Gold Coast will always be home to me so I’m really excited to align with a brand that is in my own backyard.
Tell us about your journey to becoming an Instagram foodie…
I began by sharing iPhone snaps of the food I was making at home while studying at University. I was completing a Bachelor degree in Nutrition and Dietetics and wanted to share parts of what I was learning as well as using my foodie creations as a creative outlet between all the scientific subjects I was doing. It kind of just exploded as my imagery improved, and now it’s turned into a career. I’m so thrilled that I can use this platform to share my lifestyle and help inspire people to make healthier lifestyle choices and call this my job!
Your favourite Gold Coast…
Cafe: Paddock Bakery
Restaurant: Elixiba at The Kitchens and Greenhouse Canteen
Beach: Nobby Beach
Located underneath Bel Air on Broadbeach, GC Republic is the Gold Coast’s first teppanyaki-style burger bar. This hip new style of serving burgers is designed to encourage socialising while watching said burgers being built right in front of you.
Owners Josh and Vilda are seasoned travellers and after visiting San Francisco recently, decided to bring the best of what they found back to the Coast. Using fresh, local produce GC Republic makes everything from sauces to patties in-house and while they do offer your favourite chicken and beef options, maybe it’s time to try a Roo Burger?
Of course you’ll need some sides of Mozzarella Sticks, Deep Fried Pickles or one of the four varieties of fried chicken!
Your main event are the burgers. The GC Jalapeno is a spicy treat with a beef patty, jalapenos, caramelized onion, jalapeno aioli and cheese. For the veggie lovers, don’t go past the Mushroom Delight – a stuffed Portobello mushroom topped with zucchini, onion, roasted capsicum, cheese and special sauce. If you’re looking for something different though, the Big Red featuring kangaroo, cheese, beetroot, avocado, lettuce, tomato and aioli is as Aussie as you can get!
If you’re in the mood for a cocktail the Blue Raspberry Mojito is made with rum, raspberry vodka, blue curacao, soda, lime juice, mint and raspberries. It’ll warm you up from the inside on these chilly winter nights.
GC Republic, with its California-esque offerings, is the speciality burger bar Broadbeach has been waiting for.
HOURS: Open Tuesday to Sunday from 12 to 3pm and 5pm until late.
LOCATION: Shop 3/22 Surf Pde, Broadbeach (opposite the Broadbeach South tram station at Pacific Fair).
Words and photos by Kirra Smith.
