An Invitation
Beneath the fabric
Beneath the fabric
A portrait project celebrating the people who quietly hold our communities together.
A portrait project celebrating the people who quietly hold our communities together.
A portrait project celebrating the people who quietly hold our communities together.
Every place is held together by people we pass every day.
The florist unlocking the door before anyone else is awake. The café owner who remembers your usual order.
The farmer checking the weather before breakfast.
The dog groomer. The bookseller. The joiner. The baker.
The people behind the signs.
This is about celebrating the people behind the businesses and the stories they carry.
If you’d like to be part of it, I’d love to hear from you.
Every place is held together by people we pass every day.
The florist unlocking the door before anyone else is awake. The café owner who remembers your usual order.
The farmer checking the weather before breakfast.
The dog groomer. The bookseller. The joiner. The baker.
The people behind the signs.
This is about celebrating the people behind the businesses and the stories they carry.
If you’d like to be part of it, I’d love to hear from you.
How it works
How it works
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Taking part is simple.
I’ll arrange a short portrait session at your place of business — or somewhere that feels right for you. It won’t take long. I’ll take your portrait, ask you one question, and listen to your answer.
That’s it.
As a thank you for taking part, you’ll receive one professionally edited portrait — yours to use on your website, social media, and any other business materials you’d like.
Your portrait and story will also become part of Beneath the fabric collection — shared on my website and social media.
Taking part is simple.
I’ll arrange a short portrait session at your place of business — or somewhere that feels right for you. It won’t take long. I’ll take your portrait, ask you one question, and listen to your answer.
That’s it.
As a thank you for taking part, you’ll receive one professionally edited portrait — yours to use on your website, social media, and any other business materials you’d like.
Your portrait and story will also become part of Beneath the fabric collection — shared on my website and social media.
Taking part is simple.
I’ll arrange a short portrait session at your place of business — or somewhere that feels right for you. It won’t take long. I’ll take your portrait, ask you one question, and listen to your answer.
That’s it.
As a thank you for taking part, you’ll receive one professionally edited portrait — yours to use on your website, social media, and any other business materials you’d like.
Your portrait and story will also become part of Beneath the fabric collection — shared on my website and social media.
The Draw
The Draw
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Every business that takes part will be entered into a draw for a Full Story photography experience — a collaborative, in-depth branding experience normally valued at £1,500.
The draw will take place in early February 2027 and will be announced live on Instagram.
One business will be selected at random and contacted directly.
Every business that takes part will be entered into a draw for a Full Story photography experience — a collaborative, in-depth branding experience normally valued at £1,500.
The draw will take place in early February 2027 and will be announced on Instagram.
One business will be selected at random and contacted directly.
Every business that takes part will be entered into a draw for a Full Story photography experience — a collaborative, in-depth branding experience normally valued at £1,500.
The draw will take place in early February 2027 and will be announced live on Instagram.
One business will be selected at random and contacted directly.
Limited Places
Limited Places
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If you’d like to take part, please register your interest by 15th December 2026.
To register your interest, please complete the registration form on my website.
If you’d like to ask a question before applying, you’re welcome to send me a message on Instagram or email me directly.
If you’d like to take part, please register your interest by 15th December 2026.
To register your interest, please complete the registration form on my website.
If you’d like to ask a question before applying, you’re welcome to send me a message on Instagram or email me directly.
If you’d like to take part, please register your interest by 15th December 2026.
To register your interest, please complete the registration form on my website.
If you’d like to ask a question before applying, you’re welcome to send me a message on Instagram or email me directly.
Who Can Take Part
Who Can Take Part
Beneath the fabric is open to independent businesses based in the Highlands.
This includes sole traders, partnerships and limited companies, from one-person businesses to small local teams. Retail social enterprises are welcome where they run a physical, customer-facing shop. The project is about independent trading businesses, so charities, community organisations, collectives and service-based social enterprises fall outside its scope this time.
Beneath the fabric is open to independent businesses based in the Highlands.
This includes sole traders, partnerships and limited companies, from one-person businesses to small local teams. Retail social enterprises are welcome where they run a physical, customer-facing shop. The project is about independent trading businesses, so charities, community organisations, collectives and service-based social enterprises fall outside its scope this time.
Beneath the fabric is open to independent businesses based in the Highlands.
This includes sole traders, partnerships and limited companies, from one-person businesses to small local teams. Retail social enterprises are welcome where they run a physical, customer-facing shop. The project is about independent trading businesses, so charities, community organisations, collectives and service-based social enterprises fall outside its scope this time.
What Participants Receive
What Participants Receive
Each participating business will receive one professionally edited portrait for their own use.
The portrait may be used on the participant’s website, social media, and business marketing materials.
It may not be sold, licensed to third parties, or used in any commercial context beyond the participant’s own business promotion.
Each participating business will receive one professionally edited portrait for their own use.
The portrait may be used on the participant’s website, social media, and business marketing materials.
It may not be sold, licensed to third parties, or used in any commercial context beyond the participant’s own business promotion.
Each participating business will receive one professionally edited portrait for their own use.
The portrait may be used on the participant’s website, social media, and business marketing materials.
It may not be sold, licensed to third parties, or used in any commercial context beyond the participant’s own business promotion.
Copyright
Copyright
All photographs remain the copyright of Monika Thomson at all times.
Participants receive a licence to use their portrait for the purposes outlined above.
This licence is non-exclusive and non-transferable.
All photographs remain the copyright of Monika Thomson at all times.
Participants receive a licence to use their portrait for the purposes outlined above.
This licence is non-exclusive and non-transferable.
All photographs remain the copyright of Monika Thomson at all times.
Participants receive a licence to use their portrait for the purposes outlined above.
This licence is non-exclusive and non-transferable.
Use of Portraits and Stories
Use of Portraits and Stories
By taking part, participants agree that their portrait, name, and answer to the project question may be used as part of Beneath the fabric collection.
This includes use on Monika Thomson’s website, social media, portfolio, and any press, exhibition, or collaboration connected to the project.
If a participant wishes to withdraw their consent after the portrait has been taken, they should get in touch as soon as possible.
Reasonable requests will always be considered.
By taking part, participants agree that their portrait, name, and answer to the project question may be used as part of Beneath the fabric collection.
This includes use on Monika Thomson’s website, social media, portfolio, and any press, exhibition, or collaboration connected to the project.
If a participant wishes to withdraw their consent after the portrait has been taken, they should get in touch as soon as possible.
Reasonable requests will always be considered.
By taking part, participants agree that their portrait, name, and answer to the project question may be used as part of Beneath the fabric collection.
This includes use on Monika Thomson’s website, social media, portfolio, and any press, exhibition, or collaboration connected to the project.
If a participant wishes to withdraw their consent after the portrait has been taken, they should get in touch as soon as possible.
Reasonable requests will always be considered.
The Draw
The Draw
All participating businesses will be automatically entered into the draw for a Full Story photography experience.
The draw is open up to all participants.
The Full Story experience is non-transferable and has no cash alternative.
The experience must be taken within six months of the draw date.
All participating businesses will be automatically entered into the draw for a Full Story photography experience.
The draw is open to all participants.
The Full Story experience is non-transferable and has no cash alternative.
The experience must be taken within six months of the draw date.
All participating businesses will be automatically entered into the draw for a Full Story photography experience.
The draw is open to all participants.
The Full Story experience is non-transferable and has no cash alternative.
The experience must be taken within six months of the draw date.
Availability and Scheduling
Availability and Scheduling
Portrait sessions will be arranged individually with each participant and scheduled within the project timeline.
Sessions will take place at the participant’s place of business or an agreed alternative location.
Travel within the Highlands is included.
Portrait sessions will be arranged individually with each participant and scheduled within the project timeline.
Sessions will take place at the participant’s place of business or an agreed alternative location.
Travel within the Highlands is included.
Portrait sessions will be arranged individually with each participant and scheduled within the project timeline.
Sessions will take place at the participant’s place of business or an agreed alternative location.
Travel within the Highlands is included.
Delivery
Delivery
Final edited portraits will be delivered within 2–3 weeks of the portrait session via a secure file transfer link.
Final edited portraits will be delivered within 2–3 weeks of the portrait session via a secure file transfer link.
Final edited portraits will be delivered within 2–3 weeks of the portrait session via a secure file transfer link.
General
General
These terms do not affect any statutory rights participants may have under UK law.
For any questions about the project or these terms, please get in touch using the link below.
Beneath the fabric is a project by Monika Thomson, a photographer based in the Scottish Highlands.
These terms do not affect any statutory rights participants may have under UK law.
For any questions about the project or these terms, please get in touch using the link below.
Beneath the fabric is a project by Monika Thomson, a photographer based in the Scottish Highlands.
These terms do not affect any statutory rights participants may have under UK law.
For any questions about the project or these terms, please get in touch using the link below..
Beneath the fabric is a project by Monika Thomson, a photographer based in the Scottish Highlands.
IF THIS SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE PART OF, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU.
IF THIS SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE PART OF, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU.
Back to the hall
Back to the hall
Have a wander
Have a wander
one step at the time
one step at the time
