Before the COVID-19 pandemic, most of my photography sessions and consultations would begin and end with a handshake or a hug. I thought nothing of helping my clients adjust their hair or fix their makeup. I would help them pose and move their hands into just the right position, often by modeling first.
I quickly realized that, in light of how quickly and easily COVID-19 can spread through the air and on surfaces, our typical way of doing photography sessions had to change. My years of working in restaurants, and working directly with infants and children in a Mom’s Day Out program, had taught me the rigors of proper sanitation and hygiene. I was always very conscious of clean versus contaminated surfaces, and careful to wash my hands and sanitize my props before and after contact. Suddenly, that was no longer enough. We had to educate our entire nation in proper sanitation, hand washing, cough and sneeze etiquette, use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and other protective measures.
But first we had to go through a period of lockdown. What started as two weeks stretched into two months, and beyond. The rules were different from state to state, and we all watched carefully. As a professional photographer, it is important to me that I act as a responsible community member and a good citizen. I understood the need to close schools, retail, restaurants, and yes, even photography studios.
From the start of the pandemic, I acted with an abundance of caution. After all, I have my own family to protect and they are the most important thing in the world to me. I adhered to all of the guidelines set forth by the CDC as well as my state and local leaders. This meant closing the studio to comply with executive orders, and rescheduling all in person sessions. It’s been a long two months, during which I stayed very, very busy:
- Homeschooling my three children
- Conducting several FaceTime and Zoom photography sessions
- Attending two major online photography conferences
- Participating in weekly coaching calls
- Organizing and running an online Photo Scavenger Hunt
- Starting a Facebook group to help busy moms document their time at home (you can request access HERE)
Busy as I have been, I truly miss the heart of my business - seeing my clients in person! My greatest joy is making you feel and look beautiful, relaxed, and confident when you are in front of my camera. I am eager to get back to work and resume in person photography sessions quickly once restrictions are lifted!
Of course, we will practice safe social distancing, maintaining a minimum six feet distance between us and our clients. We will observe the maximum gathering guidelines for photography sessions. We will be using no-touch posing methods, and we will refrain from hugs and handshakes and high-fives. It will be different, and it won’t be easy, but we will adapt and overcome.
For the time being, we will be using Zoom for consultations and ordering appointments instead of our typical in home service. Since we won’t be able to go through your closet and see your wardrobe in person, we will do a virtual wardrobe consultation.
Typically we would also use the time in your home to see your spaces and measure them for your wall art. Instead, we will send you instructions to photograph your spaces and text them back to us. That way during your virtual ordering appointment, we can use our unique visualization software to show your wall art options true to size. We can help you select your favorite images, framed, canvas, or metal, and you will be able to see exactly what they will look in your home!
I believe that by following the CDC guidelines, we can reopen our business and conduct photography sessions safely. More importantly, I believe in the power of photography to contribute to the healing process that needs to take place in a post-pandemic world. Photography can boost self-esteem, bond family members, and show the world that we are okay. We want to remember and be remembered. We will get through this. Together.
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