Every week on my way to the lab that develops my films I'm passing a shop (small business) that makes and sells belts, wallets, purses, etc all leather. One day I enter the shop and met Peter, the owner. I asked what is he using for maintenance of leather products. In return Peter wanted to know what kind/type of leather product. I explained leather cases for my cameras that were neglected before I bought them. This is how I found out that Peter was a photographer too. He did very little photography at the time as he was getting old and the sight wasn't great anymore. Also he found that time was a problem. We bacame friendly and in time I bought few things from him: oil for maintenance, glue for small diy jobs. One day I asked him if I can take photos of his shop and him working. He agreed with one condition: take the photos when he is ready (he told me that some day he can be moody and is better for our relationship to leave him alone). My regular visits to him continued and we alway had a good chat and most important - a laught. Few weeks down the road, ready to start our project, went to the shop and found the door closed. Door was closed for the following 4.5 months until one day when I found the shop open and a different guy inside. I asked where is Peter. The guy inside was Peter's son, he informed me that Peter had a stroke, fell ill and was in hospital in the last 4 months of so. Shocked! I was shocked and terrified! Unfortunately Peter was not getting better and doctors gave him few more days to live. He passed away a week after that. My project was never started and it won't be as Peter is gone. Peter was very funny, witty, sharp (spoke his mind out no matter what) and a proud owner of a Nikon FE camera.
I just realized I won something from your giveaway - but don't know what ever happened to it, actually! You just reminded me 🤣. It was back in December, I think... anyway, the best local business I ever shot was my mother's hair salon for a period of one year. Those images are precious to me, especially now after she has passed away. I'm working on a story to accompany the collection but it's taking while since I have multiple projects going. The short version is that my mother continued to work until 90 years old! Her salon was frozen in time from 1977. She changed nothing. It was very dark with only one window so I had to incorporate some flash. (Looking back, I would have shot it differently but what can we do?) Mom had three remaining clients left and those are the three I photographed. I look forward to sharing it with the world someday.
Juliette! Figure out when and what you won, and email me. I will make sure you get it. It has happened before that a Giveaway Partner missed an email and never sent it out. Yes yes yes your project is going to make an impact, it's so meaningful (as I know from our mentor session!)
I usually shoot every weekend at the farmers market (I love outdoor markets!), but lately I've been wondering if I could do the same for other local businesses in the area. The only thing holding me back is dealing with low light... and a bit of shyness, I guess.
However, last month I started taking some photos of my local seamster. He expressed interest in my camera and I took the opportunity to offer to take some portraits for him. To my surprise, they turned out great and I made some prints for him, which he really appreciated - definitely an experience I should repeat more often!
PS. I can relate with having a hard time to focus using a rangefinder (and framing!), it's definitely a different experience from using a SLR, but your photos turned great! That Tri-X developed beautifully.
There's a place in my neighborhood (one of the few places that are still local, considering the amount of franchises and mainstream shops that have taken over most of the businesses in my neighborhood in Barcelona) that I've always found had some sort of otherworldly feeling. It's right next to a park in a secondary street and it used to be a greenhouse when I was a kid (it's exposed brick with an actual glass roof that you can only see from the inside). I remember when I was little we went there once or twice and it was full of plants, to the point it felt like a garden within a building, it even had a small pond!
Years ago it closed down and a flower art studio bought the place, they tinted the windows and it's no longer open to the public, but they organized a talk once and I was able to go back and see they still had lots of flowers and plants around (except for the pond, that was sadly gone) and I think they even rent the space for filming. It's a beautiful space and it still has that mysterious aura of finding such a natural space in the middle of the city.
The reason I haven't asked to photograph it yet, is that not being a professional photographer (I just study a course after my regular job) I always find it a bit tricky to go ask someone "official" like a business or an organization to allow me to take pictures, as I have no direct output for it, no means to show it to a public besides social media (a bit of imposter syndrome maybe?)
Also, being a student is a big plus here. You can say hey I am a photography student, and I need to take some photos for my class, and I used to come here a long time ago as a child and was wondering if you'd allow me to come by for 30 minutes sometime and take some photos for my class.
The shop is called Flowers by Bornay, it's in Sants! Although you're going to have to get really close to the door/windows and literally look through the edges where the paint doesn't reach haha i think they may have pictures of the space on their website where you'll see it better :)
Having shot around Folkestone Harbour for a number of years I've always wanted to get some photographs of the local fisherman when they are getting ready to go out to sea or returning home with their catch. I have a few photos from distance but I would love to get up close to the boat or even onboard, but I'm not very confident with approaching people with a camera (hence the love for landscape photography). But I feel like I probably should just go for it!
The local business that came to mind for me is this small printing company I found a few weeks ago. I contacted them to print a custom Valentine's Day card for my wife. Not only was the card amazing, but also the women that worked there were just the best. They were really sweet, and so bubbly and fun to talk to.
I thought it'd be fun to get some action shots of them working in their print shop, and observing the process a bit. Unfortunately though, I work full time and also go to school on top of that, so it hasn't let me a lot of time to reach out to them during their work hours. Hopefully someday soon though!
A quick email with the idea of popping by during the weekend sometime (if they work then) could do the trick if it suits your schedule! I love photographing print spots!
If I could photograph a local business, it would be the local country market. They sell local and regional foods and dry goods. The sparse decor is what attracts me the most. They have old household, as well as business, items placed about the place. The age and patina of these items draws me in, and makes me wonder what they looked like when in use. I really would love to photograph these pieces, and have made plans to do so soon. I would also shoot some of the food items as well as part of my macro/detail series.
There’s a small, old-school coffee roastery not far from where I live. The kind of place where the air is thick with the smell of freshly ground beans, and the machinery looks like it’s been running for decades. I’d love to capture the details—the hands of the roaster as they check the beans, the patina on the metal surfaces, the quiet rhythm of the place before the first customers walk in. What’s keeping me from doing it? Probably just not making the time. It’s one of those things that sits in the back of my mind, waiting for the right moment. Maybe I just need to walk in with my Leica and start shooting.
The question about which business I'd photograph sent me in a memory lane trip so hard that I was about to miss the deadline.
I'd love to photograph the bar/bodega across the street from my childhood home, the way it was when I was growing up. All the old beer posters, tha plastic cases with beer bottles, the candy on the counter, and the suspicious jars of pickled vegetables on the counter. I'd love to photograph the people, the owner who was a friend of my family, all the patrons (including my dad). It was really a neighborhood meeting point, the kind of small business that are sadly disappearing.
It closed down years ago, when the owner retired and his kids didn't want to continue it.
I am currently on a work assignment in a small town in Kenya for 6 months and I would absolutely love to photograph the early mornings of any of the small businesses around here. There is something so quaint and interesting about them. The buildings are colourfully painted and perfect for photography. I don’t do it because I don’t want to distract from the work I am actually here to do.
Once I was selling a van and buyer took it to a small car service place not far. I so wanted to go back next day to ask for permission to do some b&w photo. I even had a reason, becouse I needed to give them forgotten second key. But new owner came to my place for a key. Still dreaming to return there... small place, where one worker is working and boss all the time smoking in corner by the table with bright backlight from high window. He even had some soviet camera by the window. Hoping to get courage :)
I would choose Bamonte’s restaurant in Brooklyn. Opened in 1900, it has been a hangout for “interesting” New York characters for ages. I suppose the only thing keeping me from doing it is the fear of getting disappeared :)
I’d love to photograph a small local flower shop. Taking photos of the flowers. Taking photos of the employees creating bouquets. Taking photos of all the vases. I actually never thought of this as a project but it would be so much fun (yes a little scary but it’s important to push yourself). Thinking I will stop by and ask.
Somewhat close to where I live, there’s this old New Orleans-style restaurant in (I think) one of the oldest buildings in the city. It’s a lovely little spot; the main dining area has a very retro vibe with red-and-white checkerboard tablecloths and a bunch of photos and neon signs all along the walls. Then, in the back, there’s a really cute patio with a fountain and outdoor heaters. Overall, it’s a really photogenic restaurant that I’ve always wanted to photograph, but never had the chance/courage to. It feels weird/inappropriate to take photos in a private establishment like that; I know if I was there eating I wouldn’t want my photo taken by some random stranger.
I was looking at a stock like this for some creative work. Really appreciate you putting this together and sharing results, alongside best practices. Thank you!
There’s on old hole in the wall retro video game store in my town. It’s located in the first floor of a house and the rooms are small and odd shaped are lined from floor to ceiling with games and related trinkets. The place looks like it’s been there from the 80s and is pretty grungy but in an endearing way. I think what’s holding me back from shooting it is time. I have my own small business and two young kids, making time for going to do a shoot purely for fun like that would require a monumental effort , unfortunately
Every week on my way to the lab that develops my films I'm passing a shop (small business) that makes and sells belts, wallets, purses, etc all leather. One day I enter the shop and met Peter, the owner. I asked what is he using for maintenance of leather products. In return Peter wanted to know what kind/type of leather product. I explained leather cases for my cameras that were neglected before I bought them. This is how I found out that Peter was a photographer too. He did very little photography at the time as he was getting old and the sight wasn't great anymore. Also he found that time was a problem. We bacame friendly and in time I bought few things from him: oil for maintenance, glue for small diy jobs. One day I asked him if I can take photos of his shop and him working. He agreed with one condition: take the photos when he is ready (he told me that some day he can be moody and is better for our relationship to leave him alone). My regular visits to him continued and we alway had a good chat and most important - a laught. Few weeks down the road, ready to start our project, went to the shop and found the door closed. Door was closed for the following 4.5 months until one day when I found the shop open and a different guy inside. I asked where is Peter. The guy inside was Peter's son, he informed me that Peter had a stroke, fell ill and was in hospital in the last 4 months of so. Shocked! I was shocked and terrified! Unfortunately Peter was not getting better and doctors gave him few more days to live. He passed away a week after that. My project was never started and it won't be as Peter is gone. Peter was very funny, witty, sharp (spoke his mind out no matter what) and a proud owner of a Nikon FE camera.
Beautiful and sad story, so glad you at least got to have all those laughs!
I just realized I won something from your giveaway - but don't know what ever happened to it, actually! You just reminded me 🤣. It was back in December, I think... anyway, the best local business I ever shot was my mother's hair salon for a period of one year. Those images are precious to me, especially now after she has passed away. I'm working on a story to accompany the collection but it's taking while since I have multiple projects going. The short version is that my mother continued to work until 90 years old! Her salon was frozen in time from 1977. She changed nothing. It was very dark with only one window so I had to incorporate some flash. (Looking back, I would have shot it differently but what can we do?) Mom had three remaining clients left and those are the three I photographed. I look forward to sharing it with the world someday.
Juliette! Figure out when and what you won, and email me. I will make sure you get it. It has happened before that a Giveaway Partner missed an email and never sent it out. Yes yes yes your project is going to make an impact, it's so meaningful (as I know from our mentor session!)
:) Thank you Wesley!
I usually shoot every weekend at the farmers market (I love outdoor markets!), but lately I've been wondering if I could do the same for other local businesses in the area. The only thing holding me back is dealing with low light... and a bit of shyness, I guess.
However, last month I started taking some photos of my local seamster. He expressed interest in my camera and I took the opportunity to offer to take some portraits for him. To my surprise, they turned out great and I made some prints for him, which he really appreciated - definitely an experience I should repeat more often!
PS. I can relate with having a hard time to focus using a rangefinder (and framing!), it's definitely a different experience from using a SLR, but your photos turned great! That Tri-X developed beautifully.
Thank you Erica! And that's awesome you had that experience with the semester! Many more to come I hope!
There's a place in my neighborhood (one of the few places that are still local, considering the amount of franchises and mainstream shops that have taken over most of the businesses in my neighborhood in Barcelona) that I've always found had some sort of otherworldly feeling. It's right next to a park in a secondary street and it used to be a greenhouse when I was a kid (it's exposed brick with an actual glass roof that you can only see from the inside). I remember when I was little we went there once or twice and it was full of plants, to the point it felt like a garden within a building, it even had a small pond!
Years ago it closed down and a flower art studio bought the place, they tinted the windows and it's no longer open to the public, but they organized a talk once and I was able to go back and see they still had lots of flowers and plants around (except for the pond, that was sadly gone) and I think they even rent the space for filming. It's a beautiful space and it still has that mysterious aura of finding such a natural space in the middle of the city.
The reason I haven't asked to photograph it yet, is that not being a professional photographer (I just study a course after my regular job) I always find it a bit tricky to go ask someone "official" like a business or an organization to allow me to take pictures, as I have no direct output for it, no means to show it to a public besides social media (a bit of imposter syndrome maybe?)
That is 100% imposter syndrome, and you can get past it! I wrote a bit about my own experience with it: https://wesley.substack.com/p/process-096-our-desire-to-be-seen?utm_source=publication-search
Also, being a student is a big plus here. You can say hey I am a photography student, and I need to take some photos for my class, and I used to come here a long time ago as a child and was wondering if you'd allow me to come by for 30 minutes sometime and take some photos for my class.
Totally! Might give it a go
Lucía, I also live in Barcelona and now I'm very curious to know what place you're talking about and where is it! Sounds amazing :D
The shop is called Flowers by Bornay, it's in Sants! Although you're going to have to get really close to the door/windows and literally look through the edges where the paint doesn't reach haha i think they may have pictures of the space on their website where you'll see it better :)
Oh wow, this place is stunning, thanks for sharing! Hope you can get to visit it again and take some pictures sometime :)
Having shot around Folkestone Harbour for a number of years I've always wanted to get some photographs of the local fisherman when they are getting ready to go out to sea or returning home with their catch. I have a few photos from distance but I would love to get up close to the boat or even onboard, but I'm not very confident with approaching people with a camera (hence the love for landscape photography). But I feel like I probably should just go for it!
Luke, yes absolutely go for it. I bet they will be up for it if you catch them in a good moment when they're not in a rush.
Check out these two issues with my tips on how to approach strangers for a portrait:
https://wesley.substack.com/p/process-035-how-to-ask-a-stranger
https://wesley.substack.com/p/digitalhassy
Please report back, that should be a really fun shoot!
Thanks so much for those links I'll definitely check those posts out. 😊
you can do it Luke!
The local business that came to mind for me is this small printing company I found a few weeks ago. I contacted them to print a custom Valentine's Day card for my wife. Not only was the card amazing, but also the women that worked there were just the best. They were really sweet, and so bubbly and fun to talk to.
I thought it'd be fun to get some action shots of them working in their print shop, and observing the process a bit. Unfortunately though, I work full time and also go to school on top of that, so it hasn't let me a lot of time to reach out to them during their work hours. Hopefully someday soon though!
A quick email with the idea of popping by during the weekend sometime (if they work then) could do the trick if it suits your schedule! I love photographing print spots!
If I could photograph a local business, it would be the local country market. They sell local and regional foods and dry goods. The sparse decor is what attracts me the most. They have old household, as well as business, items placed about the place. The age and patina of these items draws me in, and makes me wonder what they looked like when in use. I really would love to photograph these pieces, and have made plans to do so soon. I would also shoot some of the food items as well as part of my macro/detail series.
Exciting to hear you've already made plans! I am a HUGE fan of markets!
There’s a small, old-school coffee roastery not far from where I live. The kind of place where the air is thick with the smell of freshly ground beans, and the machinery looks like it’s been running for decades. I’d love to capture the details—the hands of the roaster as they check the beans, the patina on the metal surfaces, the quiet rhythm of the place before the first customers walk in. What’s keeping me from doing it? Probably just not making the time. It’s one of those things that sits in the back of my mind, waiting for the right moment. Maybe I just need to walk in with my Leica and start shooting.
Please do! I bet they’d love some nice photos from a regular!
The question about which business I'd photograph sent me in a memory lane trip so hard that I was about to miss the deadline.
I'd love to photograph the bar/bodega across the street from my childhood home, the way it was when I was growing up. All the old beer posters, tha plastic cases with beer bottles, the candy on the counter, and the suspicious jars of pickled vegetables on the counter. I'd love to photograph the people, the owner who was a friend of my family, all the patrons (including my dad). It was really a neighborhood meeting point, the kind of small business that are sadly disappearing.
It closed down years ago, when the owner retired and his kids didn't want to continue it.
love that you shared this!
It was nice to actively remember! Thanks for the prompt. 😸
I am currently on a work assignment in a small town in Kenya for 6 months and I would absolutely love to photograph the early mornings of any of the small businesses around here. There is something so quaint and interesting about them. The buildings are colourfully painted and perfect for photography. I don’t do it because I don’t want to distract from the work I am actually here to do.
hopefully you can take one moment during your trip to get some shots in, sounds fascinating!
Once I was selling a van and buyer took it to a small car service place not far. I so wanted to go back next day to ask for permission to do some b&w photo. I even had a reason, becouse I needed to give them forgotten second key. But new owner came to my place for a key. Still dreaming to return there... small place, where one worker is working and boss all the time smoking in corner by the table with bright backlight from high window. He even had some soviet camera by the window. Hoping to get courage :)
you can do it! I bet they will be open to it!
I would choose Bamonte’s restaurant in Brooklyn. Opened in 1900, it has been a hangout for “interesting” New York characters for ages. I suppose the only thing keeping me from doing it is the fear of getting disappeared :)
HAHAHA I have been there and I understand
I’d love to photograph a small local flower shop. Taking photos of the flowers. Taking photos of the employees creating bouquets. Taking photos of all the vases. I actually never thought of this as a project but it would be so much fun (yes a little scary but it’s important to push yourself). Thinking I will stop by and ask.
yes do it!!
Somewhat close to where I live, there’s this old New Orleans-style restaurant in (I think) one of the oldest buildings in the city. It’s a lovely little spot; the main dining area has a very retro vibe with red-and-white checkerboard tablecloths and a bunch of photos and neon signs all along the walls. Then, in the back, there’s a really cute patio with a fountain and outdoor heaters. Overall, it’s a really photogenic restaurant that I’ve always wanted to photograph, but never had the chance/courage to. It feels weird/inappropriate to take photos in a private establishment like that; I know if I was there eating I wouldn’t want my photo taken by some random stranger.
you can always just ask :)
I was looking at a stock like this for some creative work. Really appreciate you putting this together and sharing results, alongside best practices. Thank you!
You’re very welcome brother! I’d love to see you take it to India!
There’s on old hole in the wall retro video game store in my town. It’s located in the first floor of a house and the rooms are small and odd shaped are lined from floor to ceiling with games and related trinkets. The place looks like it’s been there from the 80s and is pretty grungy but in an endearing way. I think what’s holding me back from shooting it is time. I have my own small business and two young kids, making time for going to do a shoot purely for fun like that would require a monumental effort , unfortunately
Fair! Maybe once the kids are old enough you can take them there and then also snap some shots :)