Lord Mayor's Small Business Awards

Each year, MMP Studio photographer’s Michelle McFarlane and David Hannah document Melbourne's vibrant small business community for the Lord Mayor's Small Business Awards. Over five fast-paced days, we crisscross the city capturing the faces and places that make Melbourne's business landscape so diverse.

Hakim Halim of RIPE Cheese, Small Business of the Year Winner, proudly displaying his award

Our process involves a carefully coordinated effort. While David creates portraits of the nominees in their business environments, I focus on capturing the formal presentations with Lord Mayor Sally Capp. But this project offers something special beyond just photography - it's a chance to peek behind the curtain of Melbourne's thriving small business community.

Service with a smile for City of Melbourne’s sponsor Melbas wines

What makes this project unique is the opportunity to sit down with business owners, share a coffee, and hear their stories. From family-run restaurants to innovative start-ups, each business has its own fascinating journey to share. These moments between shots often provide insights that help us capture more authentic images.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp addressing the crowd at the Small Business Awards

The real challenge lies in maintaining consistency across multiple locations while working within tight timeframes. Each business environment presents its own lighting and spatial challenges, requiring quick thinking and adaptability. Despite the demanding schedule, we ensure each nominee receives the time and attention needed to feel comfortable and represent their business proudly.

David photographs Lord Mayor Sally Capp with award winner

Hakim Halim of RIPE Cheese phone home to tell his mother