Photo Session Safety in the Time of the Coronavirus | Olympia Family Photographer
It was just announced in Washington State that Thurston county, among others, will be starting Phase 2 early. What does that mean? It means that I can go back to photographing families! But here’s the question on my mind: how do my clients feel about this and, equally important, how do I feel?
This whole experience has been a whirlwind of emotions for just about everyone I know. I have heard so many people describe their days being filled with a roller coaster of feelings, from being just fine, to feeling totally gutted, then genuinely happy, all within an hour. It’s been a seesaw of gratitude, fear, anxiety, and love. While I am excited to start photographing the wonderful families I’ve met in Olympia and the surrounding areas, I am also very aware of my own mixed feelings about moving into Phase 2.
After thinking about it for a long time, I’ve come to the conclusion that by having health and safety built into the foundation of my photography sessions, I can focus my creative energy into making kids laugh through verbal queues and documenting the same joy and deep emotional connection I’ve always strived to capture, even before the Coronavirus came into our lives.
So here is my personal plan for resuming photography sessions safely:
Follow the recommendations of the CDC and WHO, and keep a close eye on active mandates from the Governor. This seems obvious, but I definitely want to reassure all of you who have worked with me before, as well as any prospective families, that I will be following protocols and mandates for safe business operation.
Reschedule if anyone is sick on the day of the session. This goes for both the families and for myself. There will not be a rescheduling fee and I will do my best to accommodate a great replacement date. Everyone’s health is the most important factor!
I will bring a mask. I have several masks that were made by a dear friend with fun and reversible designs that my own kids love to look at. For some young children, mask can seem intimidating, so I will work with each family to determine their level of comfort with me wearing or not wearing a mask. Please note, if it becomes (or already is) a mandate for me to wear a mask in your area, I will follow the requirements of the law (and I’ll still get your kids to laugh and have fun during our session)!
Social distance as much as possible. I have a variety of lenses that I can use to keep myself physically at a distance, while still capturing intimate and beautiful photo memories. I will also work with each family to determine their level of comfort with how close I come to them.
Pack hand sanitizer and wash my hands frequently. Safety is really important to me, and I will definitely be doing everything I can to keep all of us safe.
Family photo sessions are supposed to be fun, and I am committed to keeping them safe so that you and your kids can focus on having a great time! We will still laugh and play and capture beautiful photo memories of you and your littles. 2020 is an important year for your family, even more so with the challenges we have all faced. Let me know if you have any questions and I hope to see you soon!
Left: My kiddo wearing his very own mask. Right: My masks with an array of fun designs that my kids love to look at.
