This morning I took a little trip down one of my local shopping streets – High Street in Bangor, Co Down, Northern Ireland. With the easing of restrictions for retail openings I knew there would start to be a bit more life about town… I know just how hard it has been for small businesses lately so I have decided now’s the perfect time to celebrate a little bit of progress for business with a little business photography blog and social media project – so let me introduce, Business Doorstep Portraits!
You’ve maybe seen something similar recently for families wanting to mark lockdown, well I’m adapting it for the small business community and going to document some of those business doorsteps that have been oh so quiet, the “shutters up” moments and our local independent retailers and small businesses opening their doors again. It’s totally complimentary, just taking a little bit of local business owners’ time to give them a doorstep business portrait to share online and celebrate on social media as they re-open!
First stop on this new journey for me this morning was Moi, one of my personal favourite places to shop locally – in this High Street boutique, owner Zara has created such a beautiful, stylish space and a carefully curated collection of beautiful, high quality clothing. I love that when I go in I’ll find something a little different and some great brands you don’t just see everywhere else. As you can see from the smiles here, Zara and her colleague Row are buzzing to be back and ready to welcome customers looking for some cool summer style!
You can visit them at 58a High Street or check out Moi online at moi-boutique.co.uk/ If you follow along on Instagram @moiboutiquebangor Zara also regularly shares outfit inspiration and updates on the latest arrivals.
Next, I popped across the road to meet Simon at Windmill Guitars, a recent new addition to High Street at no 51. Simon told me how they’d just got the keys to their amazing new premises in late February and had been working on the fit-out and getting everything ready…. and then lockdown happened! So I’m really thrilled for them to be able to open and see them ready for business. The shop really does look amazing! Talk about a cool doorstep portrait prop…
You can learn more about this independent family-owned guitar store at www.windmillguitars.com/ or follow along on Instagram @windmillguitars or Facebook.
Are you a Northern Ireland small business about to reopen your doors and fancy a doorstep portrait of your own? I can’t promise I’m always going to be able to travel further afield than Co Down or Greater Belfast but if you are interested please just get in touch by emailing me at hello@gillianrobbphotography.co.uk and I’ll do what I can!
Why not follow along on Instagram @gillianrobbphotography to see what else unfolds as we all get back to business! #backtobusinessni
