Opinion: The Front Porch Project Trend
Surf social media, turn on local news and you have likely seen the trend during COVID-19 to raise money or generate business using the concept of the Front Porch Projects.
In so far as my community discussions amongst some of the top photographers in North America this was the brain child of a lovely photographer in Massachussetts. I want to stress this was an idea born out of community, love for clients and the need for connection in a very unprecedented time. That is important because I do not think when it was born in the minds and hearts of then many other photographers any intentions were anything but honourable.
There are several reasons why we are not offering these sessions:
ONE: COVID-19 is a new coronavirus and our medical community has an evolving understanding of transmission. To work with clients means taking on risks that I am not prepared as an insured photographic professional. Kids like to run around and I do not want to break their bubble or my own.
TWO: On the whole family photography is a luxury item in our list of services. While it does nourish the soul it is not an essential service during the COVID-19 Pandemic. All the messages we are getting from all levels of government here are this is not business as usual for photographers.
THREE: You have heard the directive from Justin Trudeau on how we beat the virus. Stay home. Stay healthy. That does not include travelling to client homes to take photos. It is as simple as that. While it was not as clearly stated a few weeks ago the next few weeks are key in flattening the curve in our Region and I intend to follow that directive.
Does this mean in the future the idea of Front Porch Sessions is a bad idea?
I do not think anyone can answer that. It is a lovely way to capture a family – just not at this time.
Stay healthy.
Stay home.
We encourage you take lots of photos of your self isolation because this is a time to document – using a phone right up to a professional camera (if you have one) – so one day you can show your grandkids what the COVID-19 pandemic life in 2020 was like.
We will be here to capture the experience when the restrictions are lifted.
Kirsten McGoey | Visual Storyteller at Trinity Design Photography
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