There’s something special about the independents that shape a neighbourhood — the spaces that bring personality, creativity and community to the everyday. With Neighbourhood Notes, we’re taking a closer look at the people behind some of Altrincham’s favourite local businesses: the makers, curators, creators and doers who make the town what it is.
First up is Share Your Story — a space rooted in connection, creativity and community. Built around the idea that every person and business has something meaningful to say, Share Your Story has become a place where ideas, people and experiences come together in an authentic way.
In this edition, we sit down to learn more about the story behind the business — what inspired it, what drives it day to day, and why creating spaces for people to share, connect and be heard matters so much in Altrincham’s growing independent scene.
For anyone discovering Share Your Story for the first time — how would you describe what you do in one sentence?
We are a creative hub studio and store focusing on photography, videography, audio and writing.
What inspired you to create Share Your Story, and why did Altrincham feel like the right place for it?
We believe everyone has a story to tell but not the time and resources to tell it, that’s where we help people. Altrincham has a vast creative community within it, and we felt our services would be best applied here.
You’re building more than a creative studio — you’re building a community. Was that always the plan?
We have gone further than we initially planned in building a community around the store, namely by creating free social clubs for artists. In short, the answer is yes but we didn’t not expect it to grow as exponentially as it has.
Your space mixes photography, film, writing and podcasting — which creative medium do you think surprises people the most once they try it?
Podcasting by a country mile. Not everyone realises how easy it is to create a podcast and find it is actually as easy as it is fun to make.
Why do you think film photography still feels exciting and relevant in 2026?
It’s more exciting than ever before. There is a strong demand for analogue media given the age of artificial intelligence we are currently in. It is a sure was of guaranteeing that a human was involved in making a piece of art. While everything and everyone is obsessed with being perfect, film allows for imperfection.
Favourite camera & favourite 35mm film right now?
Canon EOS R8 and Lucky 200. Both are workhorses in their own right and are reliable any day of the week.
Outside of photography, film & storytelling, what are some unexpected interests or hobbies the team has?
Finlay is a musician and producer outside of work. He records everything in his kitchen and mixes and mastered in his spare time. Sam has taken up photoshop as a result of working at SYS and has started exploring graphic design.
What does a perfect day out in Altrincham look like to you?
Get the tram in, go to Federal for a coffee, check out the markets, come to our store for a gander, have a pizza at Nell’s, go to a film at the Everyman Cinema and have a pint at Kennedy’s.
Why is it important to keep creative independent spaces alive in towns like Altrincham?
Because they are very few and far between as of recently. The spaces we are lucky to have in this town are a service to the community who use them and the popularity we are seeing with our own studio space indicates to us that there is even more demand for them. Not just in Altrincham but everywhere.
Favourite part of the process: shooting or editing?
Sam says shooting, Finlay says editing. Sam prefers to get stuck in and create the material while Finlay likes to finalise the product.
Check out Share Your Story Here
