Meet Jo McCallum from The Nordic Venue

People Behind the Space: The Nordic Venue

Jo McCallum, Creator of The Nordic Venue

In this edition of People Behind the Space, we meet Jo McCallum — the creator of The Nordic Venue in Auckland. A stunning coastal-inspired home built with natural light, clean lines, and thoughtful Nordic design at its core, The Nordic Venue has quickly become a sought-after shoot location for creatives.

From its high void ceilings to its seamless indoor-outdoor flow, Jodene shares the story behind the space, what makes it so special, and how welcoming the creative community into her home has been an incredibly rewarding journey.

Tell us a bit about yourself, and what inspired you to create The Nordic Venue as a shoot location?

We are a family of five, and recently built the house after taking our original house off the site - a dream project we were fortunate enough to do.  The Nordic Venue was born out of the blue. After moving in,  a close friend of mine who’s a photographer casually mentioned how perfect the natural light and clean, minimalist style of the house were for photography.  Then, we followed the idea of turning our home into a shoot location.  It was a great way for me to share the space, have creative energy around, and meet new people. From there, The Nordic Venue came to life - a space that blends modern design with calm, natural light and welcomes creatives to bring their vision to life.

How would you describe the atmosphere of The Nordic Venue, and what feeling do you hope it evokes for those who shoot there?

The Nordic Venue is light, bright, and calm - like a breath of fresh air. It’s a minimalist coastal home with Nordic-inspired touches, from the white walls to the warm oak floors and accents. The open-plan layout and high ceiling void let natural light flood in throughout the day, creating the perfect canvas for any kind of shoot. I hope that when people walk in, they feel inspired, grounded, and at ease, like they have space to create something really beautiful. We get told after shoots how amazing the experience was and how welcoming the crew felt.

What makes The Nordic Venue unique compared to other photo and film shoot locations in Auckland?

The sense of space and light the moment you walk in. People often stop in their tracks when they see the high void ceiling, it’s a feature that truly sets the tone for the whole shoot, and gives the opportunity to use big camera rigs. We’ve been told time and time again how versatile the space is and how it fits so many different briefs without needing much extra styling. The natural light, clean lines, and thoughtful design mean crews can walk in and get started straight away, just adding their own small touches. 

The mezzanine office has also become a favourite for capturing bird’s-eye footage, and the seamless indoor-outdoor flow into the courtyard adds even more flexibility for creative teams. The size of the property allows plenty of space for wardrobe, makeup, and storage. Another plus is having separate access to a downstairs room, which crews often use to store props, equipment, or even as a waiting area for talent. It just helps everything run more smoothly on shoot days. 

Can you share some memorable shoots or creative projects that have taken place at the venue?

We’ve been really fortunate to host a range of big productions and smaller creative teams at The Nordic Venue, and every shoot brings its own energy and excitement. It's always rewarding to see the final photos and videos once they are public.  One particularly memorable shoot was for an energy-focused project - their whole message was around energy efficiency and sustainability, which aligned perfectly with what our home represents.

Our son featured in one shoot for a toy product, which was a neat opportunity for him. We’ve also loved seeing homeware companies bring their products to life here, using the space to showcase their products so beautifully.  Even the personal branding shoots are amazing, seeing individuals light up and create something truly personal in the space. 

What elements of Nordic design were most important to you when building the home, and how do these enhance the creative possibilities for visitors?

We wanted a strong connection to natural materials and simple, timeless design. We wanted the space to feel clean and uncluttered, but still warm and welcoming. The use of oak accents, a neutral palette, and lots of natural light was really important to create that feel. For visitors, this minimalist approach means creatives can easily adapt the space to suit different styles, moods, and concepts without needing to work around bold colours or heavy styling. It gives photographers, filmmakers, and brands endless flexibility to bring their vision to life.

You’ve designed the home with light and space in mind — how does this impact the way photographers and filmmakers use the venue?

The natural light pours in throughout the day, thanks to the high void ceiling and large windows, which means there’s often no need for heavy lighting setups. The motorised blinds also help to control the light, allowing for easy adjustments depending on the mood or look the team is after. This flexibility, along with the open layout, gives creatives the freedom to work effortlessly, adjusting the light, moving equipment, and setting up multiple shots without feeling cramped. It’s a space that works with you, not against you.

What types of creative professionals typically book The Nordic Venue, and how do you support them during their shoot days?

The Nordic Venue attracts a diverse range of creative professionals, from large production teams to individual photographers. No matter the size of the crew, I’m always here to support behind the scenes. I work from home or offsite locally, so I’m never far away. Whether it’s moving furniture, providing additional equipment, or simply making sure there’s tea and coffee ready, I act as a silent assistant - always on hand when needed, but staying out of the way unless help is requested. 

I check in with the crew throughout the day to ensure everything runs smoothly and offer any support required on location. I understand the pressures on the crew and time constraints, so I take a lot of time to ensure everything is set up and ready to go before they arrive, so the shoot goes to plan without any hiccups. I am big on details to ensure the best experience for our clients. 

Are there any exciting upcoming projects or new features planned for The Nordic Venue that you can share with us?

We’re always exploring ways to enhance The Nordic Venue and make it even more versatile for creatives. We're continually inspired by the shoots that take place here, and each one helps shape the venue's evolution. Stay tuned - there’s always something new on the horizon!

What has been the most rewarding part of opening your home to the creative community, and how has it shaped your journey so far?

One major part is having our whole family get involved. It really takes a team to offer the house as a venue - there is a lot of work in having the house picture-perfect and ready.  The entire family helps out, for which everyone enjoys the rewards. Personally, it’s been fulfilling for me to be around creative, positive people  - I love the energy.. The industry demands a lot of planning, so my job is not just to provide the venue, but to make the experience seamless. 

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