Manly, The Corso: Indoor ‘selfie’ studio is heaven on a stick for social media fans

It’s only a stone’s throw from one of the most beautiful photo backdrops in Australia, but a new indoor “selfie” studio is heaven on a stick for social media users.

A colourful and unique new tourist attraction that provides artistic, dramatic and quirky backgrounds for those looking for the ultimate mobile phone self-portraits — “selfies” — has just opened its doors in Sydney.

And the indoor selfie studio is only metres way from one of the most naturally beautiful selfie locations in the country, Manly Beach.

Called Selfie HQ, its owner Vikki Kemmler, is promoting her new business on The Corso as the “ultimate selfie experience”.

Coming up roses: Selfie HQ owner Vikki Kemmler (left) and creative director Rachael Adams. Picture: Julian Andrews

For $30 an hour, people can choose form more than 20 “selfie pods” containing the latest trending social media backdrops including disco mirror balls, giant teddy bears, oversized spiders to panda bears, carousel horses and beautiful angel wings.

An angel selfie pod at Selfie HQ on The Corso at Manly. Picture: Selfie HQ

Ms Kemmler, a northern beaches local with a career in digital video editing, website design and social media management, said people of all ages are booking sessions at Selfie HQ.

They can take selfies, with the help of her “Selfie Squad” staffers who come armed with selfie sticks and wands as well as state of the art lighting.

Even though it’s walking distance to beautiful coastal scenery, Ms Kemmler said Selfie HQ was “just about people wanting great photos”.

“People often think that selfies are selfish, but they’re not.

“The phones are getting better and better, their cameras are getting better and better and social media is not going anywhere.

The "love" graffiti selfie pod at Selfie HQ on The Corso at Manly. Picture: Selfie HQ

“It’s on your own phone, you can use your own filters and you can take a thousand pictures if you want. And that’s what people often do.”

“People want to project the best image of themselves.”

Since opening earlier this month the business has attracted families, groups of friends and couples on date nights.

Vikki Kemmler, owner of Selfie HQ, said “people want to project the best image of themselves”. Picture: Julian Andrews

“I had a father and his daughter come in before they went out for her birthday dinner with the family because he wanted photos of her turning 12.

“I had a couple of grandmas bring their grandkids in and they said they didn’t want selfies. Next thing, they’re pushing the kids out of the way and the two of them are having a great time.

“I’ve had couples in their 50s come in before a night out because they thought it would be a fun thing to do.”

Selfie HQ also takes party or corporate event bookings for up to 40 people. It also has 30-minute sessions for people who haven’t booked.

The Selfie HQ on The Corso at Manly is proving popular with teenagers as well as people of all ages. Picture: Selfie HQ

It takes party or corporate event bookings up to 40 people.

Ms Kemmler said the selfie pods will be changed or updated date every few months to keep up the with the latest selfie trends.

“It’s about making Manly fun. We just want to spread some joy.”