A board showing a G-string-clad woman has been removed after she became the accidental attraction in a real estate advertising campaign for a house sale in Mt Martha.
An ambitious agent enlisted a drone to take an aerial photograph of the property, which includes a sweeping image of the beach.
But the picture also captured small business owner Mandy Lingard, a mother of three and grandmother of one, sunbaking topless in the privacy of her back yard.
The image, which includes Ms Lingard lying face down wearing just a G-string, was on the display advertising board outside her neighbour’s house before being removed today.
“I heard a noise and then I saw this odd thing flying around and thought it was a kid’s toy. It hovered around and luckily I was face down at the time,” Ms Lingard said.
A close-up of the ad. Picture: Paul Loughnan Source: News Corp Australia
The broader real estate sign. Picture: Paul Loughnan Source: News Corp Australia
“Then a couple of weeks later I walked out my door and thought oh my god that’s what it was doing; taking photos.
“You could see it’s our backyard and quite clearly it was me.
“It’s in the real estate magazine, it’s on the internet and on the board and I’m really embarrassed.”
The aerial shot taken by the drone ended up plastered on a sales board on the million dollar property next door and it’s an image that has not gone unnoticed among Ms Lingard’s family and friends.
“My son has noticed it and he’s embarrassed that his mum is there,” Ms Lingard said.
“Friends have commented and made jokes.”
Ms Lingard believes that agents using drones for aerial photography have an obligation to advise householders nearby who may be affected.
“You can’t tell me the person who was looking at those photos didn’t notice that. Why didn’t they photoshop it out?,” she said.
But Steve Walsh of Eview real estate defended the use of drones for aerial photography and says he did not realise Ms Lingard had ended up on the sale board.
“It’s something that Google does and people use that everyday,” Mr Walsh said.
“Most bayside listings benefit from elevated shots to capture the setting.
“Problem is that until drones came into existence you were very limited in what you could do.
“Now it’s quick, cost effective and captures a range of images that showcase the property at its best.”
Mr Walsh has said that he will take appropriate steps to remove Ms Lingard’s scantily clad image from advertisements for the bayside property.
