Engaging With Businesses That Make Sense

​An important component of my work is the free photo education programme I provide for young people. This community outreach relies on support from local funding bodies and businesses to keep it accessible, and this means wearing my Business Hat to decide the cool people to collaborate with.

Supporter's ​Location

Are they in the right place?

The Inside Stories programme is held in rural and ‘small town’ New Zealand for primary school children. There are great community-minded businesses out there with genuine connections in their neighbourhoods, and they understand what the programme achieves. People like Chris from KiwiSpan in Reefton and Jake from Arbor Green in Canterbury have been quick to offer sponsorship for the programme in the Selwyn and Buller districts this year. This support also means I have contacts in the neighbourhoods who can provide insights into how and where I can host the exhibitions, and provide local street cred for the programme. 

Maruia students practising with their cameras in the Buller District.

​A supporter's relevancy

Is the partnership logical?

My free photo education programmes are all about finding stories in our communities, and learning about how our neighbourhoods have developed and changed. In addition to those themes, there are practical components involved such as exhibition installation and workshop resources. 
I reach out to businesses that have products or services that strongly relate to these elements.
StickerDot provided custom stickers for the young photographers to wear at their exhibitions - helping to promote the brand of the programme and identify the young artists.
Electronet in the Grey District provided much needed camera SD cards, batteries, and chargers which are used for each region.
Badboy Graphix in Greymouth donated the custom banner used at all exhibition events. The Department of Conservation in Franz Josef donated resource books that learners use on day one of the programme.
​These types of contributions make a significant impact on how the programme is run. 

A supporter's profile

How's their reputation?

There’s not much point in collaborating with businesses if their local community thinks they stink. I get a good idea of the ethics of a business and what people think about them. I only want to work with good people!

Working with sponsors isn’t just about bringing in funding. It’s about connecting with like-minded people who share my enthusiasm about the photography programmes and want to make a difference in their community. Donating time, money, and resources is a considered business strategy, and it’s pretty cool that businesses choose to consider Inside Stories.