I hope this email finds you in good spirits and smiling. Today, I wanted to talk to you about a topic close to my heart: supporting small businesses (such as myself). Hold on, before you roll your eyes and hit the delete button, I will be including photos of food to make your mouth water. Here’s one now:
That’s from a recent food shoot from a “restaurant” inside a gas station. No joke, an actual food stop in a gas station. I include the info in my “three by me” at the end of this newsletter.
A small business, like a little seed, is planted by someone with big dreams, a touch of craziness, and possibly a healthy dose of caffeine (for me, I installed a coffee faucet in my shower). It grows, slowly but surely, into a flourishing enterprise that not only supports individuals but entire communities. Here's the kicker: most of these small business owners are normal people, they are your neighbors, and they are dreamers. They come from various corners of the world, and many of them are proud immigrants.
New Work
I recently did some work for a small business, Cold Fusion Gelato. This business hit home for me because the owners are a lot like me, people who wanted to change their status quo, change their life and job….so they did what anyone would do and opened a gelato company. After a few years of hard work and determination they already have two physical locations, and can be found in Whole Foods and The Big Y. They contacted me to do a full campaign. This included shots for their website, sell sheets, and social media.
There were actual fights in my house over this sea salt caramel gelato above.
An example of one of their sell sheets below. I love all the ways people use my photos.
Gotta tell you, I love me some gelato and sorbet…and this is top notch. All natural, nothing artificial, just pure goodness. The raspberry sorbet (the kind you can’t find in a second hand store) can be used in drinks. Seriously, put in a shaker with some rum, muddle some mint, shake it all up and you have a frozen raspberry mojito in moments.
—newsletter pause while people wipe the drool from their mouths—
Why am I telling you all this? It's simple. By supporting small businesses, we're not just fueling local economies and creating jobs; we're investing in dreams. We're showing love to the ones who dared to defy the status quo and chase their visions of success. When you support a small business, you're not just another customer; you become a member of a unique and slightly quirky family, complete with friendly banter, secret recipe exchanges, and a whole lot of gratitude.
The next time you're craving that artisanal cupcake or need a quirky gift for someones birthday, remember that behind every small business is a dreamer. Behind that smile-inducing latte art or that perfectly seasoned empanada is someone who took a leap of faith, armed with nothing but a dream and maybe a catchy jingle they can't get out of their heads.
Together, let's make a difference, one small business at a time. The best part? You'll be rewarded not just with amazing products and services but with the satisfaction of knowing you've played a part in someone's journey to success. If you are reading this newsletter, you already have played a part in mine, and I am super thankful for that.
And now, THREE BY ME, these are three local restaurants I have photographed at recently and was blown away by the food.
Three by Me
Coffee Donuts Inc (247 Plymouth St, Holbrook, MA)
Found this little place inside the gas station. Repeat, INSIDE THE GAS STATION! I thought for sure it would be all prepackaged donuts and egg sandwiches. I then met the cook, Michelle, working the hotplate and grill. She is from Guatemala, and working with the owner decided to put some dishes on the menu that her mother taught her to make. These dishes are the ones that shine. From the birria tacos above (slow cooked, flavorful beef) to the papusas below (a thick griddle cake made with cornflour) this place is a the definition of a diamond in the rough, and a super small business.
Open Sea Fish Market (6 Hancock St, Dorchester, MA)
Few things are better than fresh fish. This small walk in near the strand theatre serving the locals, including the vibrant Cape Verde community, does a number of things very well. The fried mackerel, the branzino…all done with care, and spices. This restaurant is a mirror of the immigrant community around it and I could not love it more. The fish is brought in fresh…I want to say daily, but it seemed more like hourly. You can have them prepare it or buy the fish whole. While shooting their menu, I asked if I could shoot this beautiful bluefish below.
District 118 Kitchen & Bar (118 Needham St, Newton, MA)
This place isn’t new to me. A lifetime ago I had corporate job nearby and we stopped by here for a drink or two. Never really had the food though. Seemed like a nice, American comfort food spot. Boy was I wrong. All of the food here is elevated American comfort food. Everything comes out looking like art and tasting like heaven. From the burgers, to the pizza, to the main dishes.
I found out that this place came under new management in May, but has smartly decided to change as little as possible when it comes to the food and staff. This restaurant is somones’s small business, someones dream, and it shows.
As always, thanks for taking time to read. I hope to hear back from you!
Cheers,
Mark
www.markmannephotography.com