Partnerships & Collaborations — Queenstown, 2026
Above Queenstown: A Heli Editorial With Bronte McVeigh Studio, Hogans Family Jewellers & Heliworks
This is the opening post in a new series here on The Journal, one built around the photographers, creators and businesses we're fortunate enough to collaborate with. It starts with a shoot I still can't stop looking at: a helicopter, the mountains above Queenstown, and some of the most talented people currently working across New Zealand and Australia.
A New Chapter for The Journal
Why We're Starting This Series
2ND LANE has always been about more than the pieces we rent out. It's about the people who make the ski world feel special: the photographers, the stylists, the creators, the small businesses doing genuinely beautiful work. Partnerships & Collaborations is where we'll start giving them the spotlight they deserve.
This first one came together in Queenstown, one of my favourite places on earth, and it involves a helicopter, our ski wear, and five professionals I'm genuinely proud to introduce.
The Brief
A Shoot Built Around the Mountains
The idea was simple on paper and considerably less simple in practice: take 2ND LANE's ski wear above Queenstown, pair it with fine jewellery, and let the landscape do most of the talking.
Our model and content partner for the day was @_me_content, who also helped style and direct the creative alongside our photographer. She moved between looks, weather and altitude without missing a beat, and it shows in every single frame.
She's joined on the mountain by model Georgie Valdal, whose ease in front of the camera at altitude made every shot the two of them did together look completely effortless.
The Finishing Touch
Diamonds by Hogans Family Jewellers
The jewellery in this shoot came from Hogans Family Jewellers, a family-run jeweller with a reputation for genuinely exceptional craftsmanship, and it's easy to see why the moment you look closely at these pieces against the snow.
Their generosity in lending pieces for a shoot like this speaks to how seriously they take collaboration, and the diamonds photographed exactly as beautifully as they look in person. See more of their work at hogansfamilyjewellers.com.au or follow them at @hogansfamilyjewellers.
Georgie Valdal and @_me_content, styled in 2ND LANE high above Queenstown
The 2ND LANE piece that started the conversation
Behind the scenes with the crew
Getting There
A Helicopter, Courtesy of Heliworks Queenstown
None of this happens without a helicopter, and ours came from Heliworks Queenstown, a team that's been flying visitors over this landscape for years and clearly knows exactly what a shoot like this needs.
Professional, precise and completely unfazed by a photographer, our models and a jewellery box all trying to fit safely into one aircraft, Heliworks made what could have been the most stressful part of the day feel effortless. If you're planning your own scenic flight in Queenstown, I'd book with them without hesitation. Find them at queenstownhelicopters.nz or @heliworks.
Behind the Camera
Photography by Bronte McVeigh Studio
Every image in this post was shot by Bronte McVeigh Studio, and I mean it when I say these are some of the best photographs 2ND LANE has ever put out. Bronte has an eye for light and movement that turns a simple portrait into something genuinely cinematic.
She's known primarily for wedding and elopement photography across Australia and New Zealand, which explains the emotion and ease she brought to a fashion shoot most photographers would treat far more stiffly. See her full portfolio at brontemcveigh.com.au or follow her work at @brontemcveighstudio.
Bronte McVeigh Studio, at work above Queenstown
One of my favourite frames from the entire shoot
Black and white, and one last laugh before landing
The kind of detail only a photographer this good would think to capture
"Some shoots feel like work. This one felt like getting to watch five genuinely talented people do what they do best, high above the most beautiful town in New Zealand."Mariane, Founder of 2nd LANE
With Thanks
The Professionals Behind This Shoot
More From This Collaboration
Partnerships & Collaborations — Your Questions Answered
What is 2ND LANE's Partnerships & Collaborations series?
It's a new ongoing series on The Journal where we feature the photographers, creators and businesses we collaborate with, starting with this Queenstown heli editorial.
Can I rent the ski wear featured in this shoot?
Yes, the 2ND LANE pieces featured in this editorial are available to rent now. Browse the current collection at 2ndlaneaus.com.au.
Who shot the photography for this editorial?
All photography was shot by Bronte McVeigh Studio. See brontemcveigh.com.au or @brontemcveighstudio.
How can I book a helicopter flight in Queenstown like this one?
This shoot flew with Heliworks Queenstown. You can book directly at queenstownhelicopters.nz.
To Be Continued
This is only the first of many partnerships we can't wait to share.
If you're a photographer, stylist, content creator or brand doing beautiful work in the ski or fashion space and think a collaboration with 2ND LANE could be a good fit, I'd genuinely love to hear from you.
Mariane
Founder, 2nd LANE