Our COVID-19 Response
WONDERING WHAT’S CHANGED SINCE COVID-19?
Safety before fun, that’s my motto. Actually that’s the motto of Mr. Bautista, my high school BFF’s dad. But for now, I am adopting this perspective. First and foremost, my goal is to ensure that my clients remain safe and that we respect distance so that your family and mine can stay healthy.
I have some basic guidelines you see in the graphic below, but I am happy to tweak depending on your situation and comfort-level.
Depending on the type of session you are planning, the precautions we take may vary. For the time being, our standard practice will be to do all photo sessions outdoors and I will not be providing props except seating for senior photos and headshots. Please see descriptions of the process for types of sessions as follow:
Headshots
Outdoors preferred. Studio photos are an option but incur an additional cleaning fee. I can also still do on-location photos at your corporate office, but let’s have a conversation about how it would work. Outdoors or indoors, I will use lenses that allow me to create gorgeous photos from a nice, safe distance. I will wear a mask when we meet and greet, but probably remove it once I am away from you if we are outdoors. This is because I need you to be able to hear me and mirror my expressions. Under current circumstances, if you have a family member who can attend to make hair and clothing adjustments for you, that’s just a bonus. I usually bring a posing stool to use outdoors for seated photos. However, if you prefer not to use any of my props, we will work around your comfort. Due to local ordinances, I am unable to photograph groups of more than ten people at once. I will leave it to you to determine your comfort level with group photos.
Branding Photos (People)
I am able to do both indoor and outdoor branding sessions. If we work at your home or office or home-office, I request that all people not being photographed wear masks. Please limit the number of people present to only those needed for the photos. Depending on the needs of a session, I may need to bring an assistant, so understand that the number of people present may include more than one person from my team.
Branding Photos (Products)
I am able to do product photography inside of my home. We will preplan the art direction and as needed, we can use cell phone photos for live view of how the session is progressing (from the comfort of your home office). You may ship or deliver the products to me. Before I return them to you, I will wipe them down and ship or deliver them to you depending on your preference.
Senior Photos
Outdoor only. Seniors will need to bring someone from their household (or whomever you are regularly spending time with) to their session to help with wardrobe changes and hair adjustments. I will bring a posing stool to use outdoors for seated photos. However, if you prefer not to use any of my props, we will work around your comfort. Senior sessions require In Person ordering appointments. This is typically in your home. I will wear a mask, you will wear masks, and we will work at a table that will provide us with sufficient distance. If you are not comfortable with this process, you may request a virtual ordering appointment. Please notify me BEFORE your session if you prefer a virtual ordering appointment
Family/Child/Individual Portrait Sessions
Prefer outdoors but indoor is negotiable. I will not be providing seating or props for the time being. I will use lenses that allow me to photograph your family from at least 10 feet away. When we meet up I will be wearing a mask. Children, especially the very young, may find this scary - meeting a stranger with a big camera whose face they cannot see. Once the session begins and I move away from you, I will remove my mask. First so that you can hear me when I direct your posing from a distance away and second, so that children can mirror my expressions and see that I am friendly and fun!
Newborn Sessions
For babies born in a hospital, I am requesting that we wait two weeks before conducting your newborn session. For babies born at home, we can do your session at any time.
In Your Home: I am open to entering your home for newborn photos. Tiny babies mostly just sleep and if the weather is chilly, you may prefer to keep your baby indoors. Because of my decision to enter some homes for newborn sessions, I am limiting my contact with the outside world. I will wear a mask at all times, wipe down my camera bag and any equipment that may touch surfaces of your home, before I enter. I will not be providing props at this time. I will guide you through posing your child so that I am limiting my proximity to your family.
Outdoors: Weather permitting, we can create your newborn photos outdoors and make it as cozy as possible. I will wear a mask at all times. I will not be providing props. I will guide you through posing your child so that I am limiting my proximity to your family.
Remotely: If you have your own camera, I would be happy to guide you through photographing your child yourself. We would setup a Zoom call and I will direct you through the process of finding good light and posing your child. We can even do a few zoom family photos!
During this time it is important for us to be able to maintain some kind of normalcy for both our families and our businesses. As much as we might like, 2020 won’t just go away as if it never happened. From a documentary standpoint, there is some value in continuing to tell our family and business stories, even in a time of social distancing. I am adjusting my processes as this story unfolds and all of the above is subject to change. I am open to your thoughts and suggestions.
