Photography in the age of COVID-19
This pandemic has been really tough on everyone especially on small businesses. Nothing is more important than the health and safety of my clients, so I will be taking thorough precautions before, during, and after every photoshoot and adjusting our procedures as needed.
Here are some changes that you’ll be seeing:
General procedures:
Increased cleaning in the studio and equipment using disinfectant.
If myself or any staff of mine feels any symptoms or have been in recent contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, client photoshoots will be rescheduled and will self-quarantine for at least 14 days.
In the studio:
Both you and the photographer must wear a mask / face covering when entering the building and refrain from handshakes/physical contact. The photographer will wear a face mask during the photoshoot (but obviously not the client.)
Upon arrival, you will also be asked if you’ve had a fever in the past 14 days.
Everyone must immediately disinfect their hands upon arrival at the studio using a handwipe or hand sanitizer.
Instead of the photographer adjusting your hair or clothing during the shoot, a mirror will be provided, and/or live-viewing of the photos on a monitor.
After every shoot, high-touch areas will be wiped with a disinfectant before the next visitor is allowed entry.
Touch-free payments and booking
On-site photoshoots:
All our staff members will wear a mask/face covering.
We will maintain social distancing and no physical contact with your employees while at your location.
When each person enters the room where we are set up for photos, we will ask them to sanitize their hands.
Surfaces and objects touched will be wiped with disinfectant (we will bring disinfecting wipes) between each person.
Instead of the photographer adjusting your hair or clothing during the shoot, a mirror will be provided.
Hair and makeup artists:
Hair and makeup artists will wear a mask/face covering.
All surfaces will be sanitized between each person.
Since a mask is not possible during makeup application, you will be given some paper towels to hold so that if you feel a cough or sneeze coming, you can cough/sneeze into the paper towels.
As is already customary, all makeup is applied with as many disposable products as possible and all non-disposable products are used once and sanitized. No personal products allowed.
Hair and makeup artists already wash their hands before beginning, but you will now have the option of them using disposable gloves if you prefer.
Personal Branding for Your Job
COVID-19 has proved to be an unprecedented crisis. It’s almost hard to believe how a virus, first documented in Wuhan China in December 2019, has spread to more than 170 countries. Sadly claiming lives, sickening millions and forcing half the world’s population into confinement.
We all know this isn’t just a public health problem; it is also an economic one. Many businesses have learned of dependencies on other types of businesses that they may haven’t realized before.
Businesses are finding ways to maintain continuity and pivot. With most people working remotely, it is predicted that the home office and co-working spaces will be the new normal when this pandemic subsides.
Remote Working
Remote working isn’t new. Thanks to technology advancements this continues to get easier. A study commissioned by co-working office company Regus, states: “In the future, companies will focus their strategy on a more flexible working model, where employees find their own office space.” This was trending even before COVID-19 hit.
Evidently, the key to survival and long-term prosperity is adaptability. This experience will fast-track the digitalization of the workplace and advance the “work from anywhere” model.
The Growing Gig Economy
The gig economy is part of the changing cultural and business environments. The market of freelancers and independent contractors for specific tasks is growing. This online platform continues to rise and will continue to do so post COVID-19.
Since work is “something you do, not a place,” employers have access to a geographically diverse talent pool. And it allows people to take on jobs better aligned with their preferred lifestyle. (How does working from the beach sound?)
And, the gig economy is popping up in just about every sector.
The Need for Personal Branding
Employers and potential clients or business partners also have a wide pool of jobseekers and service providers to choose from. Having a strong personal brand will differentiate you from other experts in your field and increase your chances over competitors with similar (if not better) qualifications.
In essence, your personal brand is your unique combination of personal qualities, skills and experiences, and the effort you put into defining and communicating this elevates your brand.
Know Yourself: Begin with a self-assessment of your assets. These include your values, beliefs, passion, interests and credentials.
It is important to note that personal branding isn’t about crafting a different public persona but a reflection of who you really are.
Position Yourself: Gather together the key elements of your personal brand. What do you want to be known for? What specific needs do you want to address and whom do you want to influence (who is your target client?) What is your unique value proposition and is it believable? What personality traits do you want to be associated with?
Project Yourself: Not everyone knows who you are and what you can offer. Hence, the need to communicate, and constantly reinforce what you stand for. Communicate where your target client hangs out. Is it LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube?
To maintain authenticity, your image must be consistent online and in real life. Seize every opportunity to share your knowledge and expertise. Remember, there is no second chance to make a first impression!
As Jeff Bezos said: “Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.” Whatever content you put out there—is another piece to the puzzle that is your personal brand.
Are you ready to elevate your personal brand? Fill out this form below to get in touch.
Mothers Day Gift Certificate
Every year around Mother’s Day I've held a mini session event for mothers and their children. However, this year is VERY DIFFERENT from any other year.
Shelter-in-Place has given us Moms a variety of experiences. There are moments of joy and gratitude as well as boredom and frustration. Some are loving this time and others - well, it's getting long in the tooth.
So this year why not take the time (which we all have more of now,) and get a one of a kind gift for Mother's Day. (Feel free to forward this email to drop a not-so-subtle-hint.)
Small Businesses Surviving COVID-19
Don’t ask me what number day of quarantine (shelter-in-place) we are on. I’ve completely lost count. I think I’ve gone through the gamet of emotions in the past few weeks. This year, has simply been completely unpredictable. It started off great, then I got sick with the flu (or was it COVID-19 - I'll never know,) then this worldwide pandemic.
I find myself back working at my kitchen table. I really miss my studio office and people! So many distractions at home. The first half of my day is productive while my teenager sleeps off her disappointment at missing out on all her senior year.
So what are we as small business owners to do? PIVOT.
I’m listening to podcasts, taking educational webinars and trying to find a way to serve others. Here’s some of my ideas on how to spend this newfound spare time:
Start creating a family portrait gallery wall. I know you’ve got hundreds if not thousands of pictures on your smartphone and computer, why not print those memories (you can do this online and have them sent to your home.) Go through the boxes of pictures that you’ve stored away for a rainy day.
Find old photos you’ve inherited that might be damaged or perhaps you want them in a larger format. I retouch old photos and depending on the size, I can product a larger print of it as well. Email me - I love this type of work!
Search up old memorabilia from the same era as those old photos and plan to have them all framed together. I did this for my great grandmother and great uncle (see photo below.) I had her passport and old photos and found old coins and even an old postcard of the ship she came over on from Sicily! Ancestry.com has loads of photos too.
Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. Help your local businesses by buying gift cards to provide critical cash support during the COVID-19 crisis. We have had to cancel all of our scheduled photo sessions in order to do our part to help reduce the spread of the virus. To all our customers waiting for their albums, wall art and print products, our professional photography suppliers here in the US and Italy have stopped all production activities until further notice. If you are waiting for your prints, I will contact you directly as I receive updates. I look forward to getting back out there and capturing your special life moments!
"Porchtraits" During COVID-19 Shelter-in-Place
ETA: THANK YOU for everyone’s interest, however, we are no longer scheduling PORCHTRAITS at this time.
Like all things in history, I believe they should be captured in a photo. I'd like to come around the tri-valley and do "porchtraits" of families in coronavirus quarantine to help our community.
I'm bored. My cameras are lonely so let's make this as fun as possible!
5-minute family photoshoots from the curb in which you and even your neighbors can get outside and have some fun from the safety of your own porch or front yard.
These sessions are free but donations are accepted.
Sessions available in Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin and San Ramon.
Please tag and share your friends and familly.