Welcome to my personal project ‘Door step portraits through the times of Covid 19’. I decided to do this on my estate after seeing a few other photographer’s had done them and I thought how lovely they were.

I advertised that I was doing this (for free) in my local facebook group and at first many were reluctant… well not reluctant but silent…. However it’s amazing how much more willing people are when you are able to ask face to face and I did this as I went on my daily walks, chatting briefly to neighbours as they were out in their front gardens.

Before I write any more I must point out that all the shoots were taken as part of my daily walk, at each one I was about 4 meters away (I’ve used a zoom and some post editing cropping). Secondly I did not linger, yes we had a brief chat but no longer than a minute and my shots have been true to documentary style… basically I was in and out.

The project has surprised me as it’s presented many outcomes that are as far away from photography as you can get… firstly I’ve spoken to people on my estate that I’ve never spoken to before, this has been a wonderful experience that has heightened my sense of community and belonging. Secondly, many people have confided in me about their feelings and loneliness, which has helped them realise that someone outside their family cares and hopefully made them feel appreciated and thought of. It has also led to me offering to do people’s shopping etc. Lastly people have commented that this is a lovely way to document their time together during this werid time. Most families have never spent this much time together inside their own walls so I felt that they really appreciated being able to have a visual record of it..

I’ve stuck to my estate but have delivered food to some self isolating friends and on doing so have taken their portraits too. I’m really enjoying the project, am not making a profit and it’s ongoing for the foreseeable future.. take a look…