One of the biggest struggles for small businesses during the COVID-19 crisis is remaining relevant, and letting the public know “we’re still here, and we’d love to continue serving you.”

Many of these local businesses continue to feel the impact of shutting down, reducing operating hours and being left uncertain of when, or if, they can fully open again. One way many Maury County small businesses are prepping for “normal life” again is sharing their stories as part of a new portrait series curated by local photographer Sarah B. Gilliam.

Daily Herald readers might remember Gilliam and her ongoing Maury County Portrait Series, which began last year as an effort to capture and archive individuals in the community, with each portrait permanently stored at the Maury County Archives. The project, she said, was as a way to “capture modern history” as Columbia and Maury County exists today, and is something everyone in the community can participate in for free.

“The basis for why this all started was the pure interest in finding out who lives here, because I genuinely really wanted to know who lives here,” Gilliam said. “

The idea to expand the series to small businesses spawned from a previous idea, which Gilliam said was the brainchild of Lily Jane owner Lucy McEwen. Initially, the plan was to capture portraits of nine downtown businesses who participate in First Friday events. That plan, however, wasn’t fully completed due to the COVID-19 crisis, and Gov. Bill Lee’s executive order preventing large public gatherings and the shutdown of many downtown shops.

As the crisis continued, Gilliam found herself without her regular work as a photographer. She revisited the idea of small business portraits, which she said was a way to get out of the house and back to work, but also an opportunity for small businesses to have their voices heard.

“When the [COVID-19 crisis] started happening, it just sort of froze me, and I couldn’t work,” she said. “I’m a small business, if a very small business, and I saw all of the other small businesses in our community, and we’re all in this together. Some people are able to still have work, but a lot of them are struggling … and basically this portrait series evolved into a way we can help support these small businesses, because goodness, we all need a little spotlight right now, and we feel that we’re being unseen.”

The portrait series is a way for business owners to have something tangible which can be uses to promote their restaurant, retail stores and other services. But part of the fun, Gilliam said, has been hearing their stories, how each business has coped with the crisis, as well as what being a local business owner in Columbia means to them.

“This is a beautiful way of showing us that we still have a level of pride in our work, even if we are unable to do it,” Gilliam said. “This is a way we can share these images, and everybody can be supportive of one another during this time, even if we can’t do it financially. It’s my way of being like, ‘Here’s my support of you. Use this photo, put it on your social media for people to see and remind them you are here.’”

It is also a way to preserve a business’ history for later generations, as each portrait will also be stored at the Maury County Archives. The idea is to preserve something future business owners to have, to discover the stories behind the ones who were there first.

“In 100 years there could be a gift shop in your building, and they’re going to want to know who had it first, maybe have a historic photo,” Gilliam said. “In our downtown square it’s really common for businesses to have a photo of the business owners who kind of started it. It’s just a really special thing to have for those who come in after you.”

Appointments for the Small Business Portrait Series are normally Saturdays or Sundays, though Gilliam said she can schedule the occasional weekday shoot. Businesses may sign up through her website at www.sarahbgilliam.com. There is also a Spanish language option when applying.

There is a $35 fee per portrait, which Gilliam said is mostly to pay for gas and the archival costs.

The fee may also be negotiable, she said, as she understands many businesses can use any dollar they have right now. The important thing is that they have a platform to promote themselves, to tell their stories to the community and be supported in return.

“This is almost like a virtual group hug, and we need that right now, but part of that group hug is hugging back. I wanted to charge the bare minimum. That way they can still support me, but without being a financial burden, to pay for gas and the archival costs. So I’m not making much,” Gilliam said.

“We have a very diverse community, and I’m counting on our diverse community to step up and be included, and I’m making that possible by waiving the fee. Anyone who just can’t handle this right now, I 100% understand. The fee can be waived, or we can barter, which is just another way we can help each other.”