Celebrating Our Community: Behind the Scenes of Renew Vintage’s First Community Photo Shoot
At Renew Vintage, community means everything. From the hands that stitch our garments to the hearts that wear them, it’s the people who bring our brand to life.
Our first community photo shoot was all about celebrating some of those real people - our incredible customers and supporters, by giving them the spotlight.
We’re always being asked to show our clothing on different ages, styles and body types, but with only our small team in the office, that can be tricky. So, instead of hiring professional models for impersonal, highly styled photoshoots, we decided to invite members of our community to be the faces of Renew, in their own favourite pieces from our collections. They are the real faces of Renew. And this is a way for us to give back to them, to building confidence, and to show how our one-of-a-kind styles look on real people who truly love them.
A day filled with connection, laughter, and good snacks!
The morning began early with the team carpooling to a beautiful light-filled studio on the Gold Coast with armfuls of colourful kantha pieces, yummy snacks and a healthy dose of excitement in tow. Hannah set up grazing boards, Kaitlin arranged rails of community favourites as well as some exciting sneak-peek pieces to play with. Brooke welcomed everyone as they arrived, took care of introductions and helped them settle in, and guided them through the mornings playbook.
It felt more like a gathering of friends than a photo shoot. There was chatter, laughter and a few nerves, but plenty of support all around. Brooke’s daughter even joined in to help capture some behind-the-scenes moments, reminding us that Renew Vintage is, at its heart, a family business built on connection and care.
Capturing real beauty with Paulinne
Our photographer, Paulinne, specialises in working with ethical and sustainable small businesses. Her warmth and creativity brought out the glow in everyone - Paulinne has a special gift for making people feel comfortable in front of the camera, and that energy shines through in every photo.
We switched outfits, cheered each other on, and laughed our way through the awkward moments. By the end of the day, no one wanted it to end. What started as a photo shoot quickly became a day of shared experience, friendship and self-celebration.
Thoughtful touches and community love
Before everyone headed home, the team handed out gift bags filled with kantha goodies along with some thoughtful products from other small local makers within our community. Supporting local creators is something we’ve always been passionate about, and it felt right to share that love. Everything Brooke does, from design to community initiatives, is rooted in the same goal: building thriving local networks while minimising our impact on the planet.
Looking ahead
We’re already dreaming up ideas our next community shoot and can’t wait to bring more of our Renew family together. We wish we could have included everyone, but there will certainly be more opportunities in the future!
In the meantime, keep an eye out for our shoot photos (coming soon!) and make sure you’re part of our Renew Vintage Facebook Community Group to stay in the loop about upcoming events and chances to get involved. After all, Renew has always been about more than clothing - it’s about people, connection and celebrating individuality in every thread.
