Crystal Palace Local

It's always nice to hear that a new independent business is opening in the local area and when I clocked that number 28 Westow Hill was being refurbished, I wanted to know more.

So after not very much research and thanks to Google and local forums, I found that number 28 was re-opening as a high-end deli, with focus on unusual cheeses, charcuterie, teas, coffees and even beer and wine!  Stuff that you probably won't find at Sainsbury's and Tesco's.  This, in my opinion, will only be a good thing.

I also found out that the proprietor is called Manish, and he plans for Good Taste Food and Drink to open early March.

As a small business owner myself, I realised that Manish and I are possibly in the same boat.  I run Guy Milnes Photography, providing wedding and location family portraiture services in London.  I am new to the area and have been looking for ways to get my name and services out there so people are aware of me, should they wish to use my services.  Exactly in the same way that Manish, no doubt, will need to create regional awareness to increase footfall into his shop when it opens next week.  My marketing mind started to work and I began to think how we might be able to help each other out.

One overcast day in February, I dropped by the shop to introduce myself to Manish - he wasn't around.  So being a proactive sort of chap, I spent exactly 12 minutes on the pavement opposite taking pictures of passers by and traffic, with 'Good Taste Food' as a tasteful backdrop.  I hadn't particularly intended it to be 12 minutes, it just happened that way.  It was long enough for me to produce a small body of work for editing and to, perhaps, illustrate some of the ideas in my mind.

During my '12 Minutes on Westow Hill' project, I was struck by how many people stopped to watch what I was doing and even acted up to the camera.  Then there were the people who were nonplussed by my presence or didn't notice me which was what I really intended.  Others looked in the shop window or read the poster on display.  This enabled me to capture some great images and a snapshot of a day when nothing particular was happening, just people going about their business, the same as any other day.

As far as the marketing ideas went, Manish liked my pictures and we're keen to help each other out.  I've supplied some prints for his shop and he is happy to have my name and details displayed.  I will be photographing at number 28 throughout the official opening day.  It would be great to see as many of you there as possible.  If you sign a model release form and leave your details, I will send you a free 6x9" print worth £9.

'Good Taste Food and Drink' opens on Thursday the 10th March with the official opening on the 12th, which 'Guy Milnes Photography' will cover.  If you wish to go on a mailing list for either business, mail me and I will put you on.

Finally I hope you've enjoyed these images.  If you are one of the people featured in any of them, send me your details and I will also send you a free print.

'Good Taste Food & Drink':

http://www.goodtaste-fd.co.uk

http://www.facebook.com/goodtastefd

'Guy Milnes Photography':

http://www.guymilnes.com

http://twitter.com/guymilnes