Around Loddon Shire: Photographing Our Local Business Stories

For the past few weeks, I’ve been working on a project that has taken me all around Loddon Shire — and introduced me to some wonderful local people along the way.

In the lead-up to the Loddon Shire Business Expo this September, I’ve been travelling across the Shire photographing participating local businesses and the people behind them.

From established businesses to people building something new, every stop has been different. And that’s what I’ve enjoyed most about this project.

Every business has a story

While I capture the photographs, Luz Restrepo from Made by Many Minds talks with the business owners and brings their stories to life through words.

The resulting articles are being featured in the Loddon Herald, accompanied by my photographs.

It’s been such an interesting way to discover more about the businesses operating right here in our region. We hear about how they started, the challenges they’ve faced, the things that have worked, the lessons they’ve learned and, importantly, the successes they’re proud of.

Some stories are about taking a chance. Others are about keeping a long-established local business going, adapting to change or finding a completely new direction.

And often, there is much more happening behind the doors of a local business than you would ever realise just driving past.

Around the Shire with Luz

One of the best parts of the project has been working with Luz.

There’s usually plenty of conversation and laughter while we work, but there is also a genuine curiosity about the people we meet. Luz gets to the story behind the business, while I look for the moments, details, personalities and surroundings that can tell part of that story visually.

Together, words and photographs give readers a glimpse of the people who help make Loddon Shire what it is.

We’ve been meeting new people in different corners of the Shire, and I’m really enjoying hearing about their ideas, challenges, determination and achievements.

It’s also a reminder of just how diverse our local business community is.

See you at the Business Expo

The project is leading up to the Loddon Shire Business Expo 17th of September, where I’ll also be there as the official photographer, capturing the people, conversations, exhibitors and atmosphere of the event.

And the great news is that the Business Expo is open to the public.

So, save the date and come along. It’s a chance to meet local business owners, discover what is happening across the Shire and perhaps make a few new connections of your own.

We’ve already been working on this project for several weeks, and there is plenty more to come.

For now, here are just a few samples from our travels around Loddon Shire — some of the people, places and businesses we’ve had the pleasure of meeting so far.

See you at the Loddon Shire Business Expo in September!