As a photographer, my business came to a halt due to COVID-19. Sessions scheduled in March, April and May had to be rescheduled but with unknown dates. This freaked me out like you couldn't believe. What was I suppose to do? How can I sustain my business if I can't actually work!? With this job, it's not just picking up a camera and pointing it at a family. I am welcomed in people's homes, I fix mom's hair, I demonstrate a pose with dad, I gain relationships with these kids who love and trust me and want me to pick them up or hold my hand while walking to a new location. Not being able to do these things seemed impossible to me.
Those three months were a roller coaster of emotions. One second I was positive and kept telling myself that there's a light at the end of the tunnel and I will be able to get back out there with my clients. But then, super anxious Rhiannon would take over and I'd panic. It has been one of the toughest things to make peace with. There was nothing I could do at the moment but move forward with the back-end of my business. Even though it was a scary time, it was the perfect time to reflect on what wasn't working and what was working. It was time to make improvements, research options to make the experience better for my clients and hone in on my brand. In some aspect it was a blessing in disguise. But, I truly missed photographing people (aside from my family). I was taking so many photos of the food I was making, it was obnoxious, haha!
In April I came across a photography project called, The Front Steps Project. Photographers based in Needham, MA created this project to photograph families in their neighborhood outside their homes (at a safe distance), highlighting the many faces of their communities during a time we all felt isolated. Family's could be in their pajamas, they could get dressed up, bring out a glass of wine (or two), kids incorporated their iPads as a prop to tell their story of their new reality. Photographers all over the country were taking part in this project, and while I was on my morning walk, it hit me, "why the hell am I not doing this!?".
After doing research and talking to some friends who took part in the project, I set all of my details and made it public. My version of the project was a $25.00 donation session with all the proceeds going to Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, NJ. My cousin is a nurse there so it has a special place in my heart and I knew all of the hard work and sacrifice she and everyone in the hospital were putting in. In just one month, I photographed over 100 families and we donated over $3,000.00 to the hospital! It was such an amazing experience meeting new people, listening to their stories on how they are dealing with this pandemic and of course seeing my clients who I missed so much!
Photographing all those families put so much into perspective for me. Although this pandemic is scary and unknown, being with your loved ones is a powerful thing. It brings the world together, even if we are apart.
Even though now, I am back to scheduling regular sessions (still with restrictions), The Front Steps Project will always have a huge impact on me and my business. I couldn't be more thankful to have met every single family and for their donation to Holy Name.
Here are some of my favorites from the project.. enjoy!
