As a photographer unable to work, Lucy Taylor has "struggled to make ends meet" during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Contemplating Christmas costs, the Beechworth business owner recalled suggestions from across her nine-year career she should make a calendar of photos.
"My specialty is people - I've never thought that I was very good at landscape photography, but I do like it," Ms Taylor said.
"I have a collection of landscape photos and people had said to me that I should do a calendar.
"I thought I'd give it a go and see if people were interested in it."
Ms Taylor expected her expression of interest would attract close family and friends, but was overwhelmed with requests for the wall calendars featuring pictures of the Beechworth and Stanley region.
"It's been amazing," she said.
"I thought I would maybe sell them to family and friends ... and I've sold almost 200 now.
"It came about because I was struggling from not being able to work, so when people see that and they offer to help out, it really is very heartwarming.
"But the other thing is, it's a really picturesque town and people like having a piece of Beechworth hanging on their wall."
The mum-of-three originally launched Embark Family Photography in Echuca and returned to her home town of Beechworth seven years ago.
"I was working as a chef, and after the birth of my second child, decided the hours wouldn't work and to change careers," Ms Taylor said.
"It's been a really successful little business for me for that long, but it's taken a huge hit over the last couple of years with lockdowns and restrictions, and family photos are not really on the top of people's priorities at the moment, either.
"There was a lot of confusion last year, because as a photographer, it was legal for me to work, but it wasn't legal for families to head out to get family photos done.
"Mask-wearing is another area that is difficult."
Ms Taylor said work was thankfully picking up going into 2022, and looked forward to responses from calendar buyers.
"I've had a few weddings that have obviously had to be postponed, but I have a lot of bookings for family photos in Spring," she said.
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"People have a sense that they've missed the opportunity of capturing their children while they're young - your child grows a lot in two years.
"So they're wanting to get photos now.
"I'm optimistic about next year."
The calendars can be purchased at the Beechworth newsagency.
