London Shopkeepers — Franck Allais

London Shopkeepers

Welcome to London Shopkeepers

In January 2023, I began this portrait series of London shopkeepers, blending my love for street photography with the people who give life to our local shops. Shops are an extension of our streets, and shopkeepers are truly the heart—the very lifeblood—of the city. They keep it alive, creating connections and giving us spaces where people from all walks of life mix and meet.

I initially tried photographing the shops themselves, but the images just didn’t capture the feeling I was after. So, I took a different approach and asked a shopkeeper if I could take his portrait. To my surprise, he said yes, and I realised, “If one says yes, maybe others will too.”

Fast forward, and I’ve taken over 1,500 portraits of shopkeepers all over London. I’m still as drawn to capturing these real people who work hard every day to serve their communities. Often, we don’t even know their names, despite seeing them week after week. Then, in June 2024, I began returning to the shops, giving each shopkeeper an A4 print of their portrait as a thank-you. It’s been one of the most challenging and rewarding projects I’ve ever taken on, and you can follow more of my posts on Instagram at @Londonshopkeepers.

This project has been a journey for me as much as it has been a creative one. Going back with the prints felt a bit like playing Santa, fulfilling a promise I’d made. The trust and pride this project has inspired have made it all worth it. Seeing people look at themselves through someone else’s eyes, maybe in a way they haven’t before, has been the greatest reward.

The next step is a book and an exhibition, bringing all these faces together to celebrate the people who truly keep our neighborhoods alive.

Thank you to all the shopkeepers who took part.

Merci.