My lockdown highlights
Lockdown may have stopped me from shooting but I've still got some lockdown highlights to share with you!
Since the start of lockdown I've had to postpone so many client shoots. Family shoots, beach shoots, toddler group sessions, school class photos and commercial sessions. It was an abrupt end to what was gearing up to be a very busy Spring season. But, I've still been squirrelling away behind the scenes. It took me a few weeks to get my camera back out again, after trying to establish some sort of homeschooling routine for my kids and worrying endlessly about running out of bread and tea bags.
I started doing some shoots with my children, at home and in the garden. You can see my sessions with my daughter in my blog post - Lockdown photos at home, and some with my son, in How to shoot your own lockdown images.
But that's not all I've been up to. I tend to share news and information on my Facebook and Instagram accounts but not so much on my blog. So, I thought I'd write a post to share my lockdown business highlights with you.
I've been a Cardiff family photographer and Cardiff business photographer for 14 years but I've only recently started to share my work with industry peers. I'm quite shy (although no one ever believes that I am!) and so it's a strange feeling submitting and sharing work to the wider world.
It's such an honour to have my work recognised and featured, both online and in print. See below for my business lockdown highlights!
Italian Vogue
The first bit of exciting news was that I had a some images published on Italian Vogue! It's something I've been trying to do for quite a while and lockdown gave me more time to get around to submitting them. I'm so happy that they accepted these client images, which are some of my favourites.
JUNO Magazine
I also had an article and images featured in the latest edition of the fabulous JUNO Magazine. It's the second time I've been featured in the magazine and this article is all about how proud I am of my son, who is a ballet dancer, so it's even more special.
September brought another feature in JUNO Magazine!
This time, my daughter was featured as part of a home-school series. She's the one with the rainbow of books on the right.
United Art Gallery
My images have been published on the United Art Gallery, which was set up to showcase COVID 19 related art from around the world. I was so happy when they contacted me and asked if they could feature some of my 'Lockdown Ballet' series of images. You can see the whole set in my Lockdown Ballet post. Visit the United Art Gallery website to see some amazing and inspiring work from artists from all over the world.
Shootproof blog
I was also contacted by Shootproof - an amazing company providing an online gallery platform to photographers around the world. They have the most brilliant blog, which I read on a regular basis. They got in touch to say that they loved my personal branding work and that they'd like me to write an article to help other photographers start shooting personal branding images too. It was published online and emailed to all their contacts in May. You can read it on their website.
DIY Photography
DIY Photography also kindly published my Lockdown Ballet article, with tips to help shoot your own lockdown images at home.
This Detailed Life
This Detailed Life is a new professional photography magazine to showcase artwork by photographers around the world, to educate and inform, and above all to inspire. I'm very pleased to have had an image selected for publication in the first edition. The magazine is due out Summer 2020!
British Photography Awards
The British Photography Awards shared my COVID 19 Assignment on their social media pages.
First News
Even my son got in on the act and wrote a little article for First News, the award winning newspaper for children, which was published a few weeks ago.
Cardiff Life Magazine
Just before we went into lockdown, I visited the independent shopping hub, Castle Emporium in Cardiff to photograph the indie shops and their owners for Cardiff Life Magazine. When lockdown hit, Cardiff Life Magazine stopped production for a few months but came back in September! Here's the 6 page spread featuring all my images!
Coming up...
There's a few other things in the pipeline too that I won't mention just yet but I'll come back and add them to the blog when they are released!
Socially distanced family photo shoot
Your socially distanced family photo shoot
As a family photographer, based near Cardiff, I'm officially allowed to return to work. I'm allowed to meet up with one other family and so, is it time to pick up my camera bag and start shooting families again? Well, sort of. I've been thinking long and hard about how I can offer clients a socially distanced family photo shoot during these strange times.
I'm a stickler for the rules and so I want to make sure that it's as safe as possible to go back to working with family clients. I would not feel comfortable meeting families in a public place for a shoot. There are too many variables that I can't control (other people!).
So, I'm going to make some tentative steps towards going back to work in a safe and measured way.
I know that with my long lens, I can take photos at a distance of 2 metres, or further. I took the pictures below of my children, in my garden, at 2m away to illustrate the point.
With that in mind, as of this week, I'm offering very limited edition Front Garden Mini Sessions for the residents of Colwinston. There are 5 slots available initially. If there's interest in socially distanced family photo shoots, I may add more. I'll be giving 20% of the fee to the charity, 2 Wish Upon a Star, who provide bereavement support for families who have suddenly and traumatically lost a child or young adult aged 25 years and under.
I don't want to rush into a shooting frenzy and shoot multiple families in one day. It may take me longer but I only want to offer ONE mini shoot per day, to ensure maximum safety.
See below for all the details.
How much is a Front Garden Mini Session?
I'm offering these mini sessions at a special introductory price of £60. This price may change in the future. The £60, includes a £12 donation to charity, your session and 3 digital images.
Can I buy more images?
Yes. You'll be sent a password protected online gallery of all your images. You can choose the three digital images included in your package and then add additional images, prints or products if you wish.
How do I book a Front Garden Mini Session?
If you're a resident of Colwinston and you'd like to book a socially distanced family photo shoot, please contact me via my website or email directly at gemma@gemmagriffithsphotography.co.uk. I will get in touch to let you know if there are spaces available and we can choose a date together.
Can I book a session if I don't live in Colwinston?
Initially, I'd like to start offering shoots in my village only. If the shoots are a success, I may roll them out to other villages too. Interested in a session? Please drop me a line and I'll add your name onto a waiting list. If I decide to extend the sessions, I'll be in touch and let you know.
What time will the session take place?
The best place for your shoot will be in an area of open shade. Once you've made a booking, we can chat over the phone to discuss the best time for the shoot to take place, depending on the chosen spot in your garden. It's likely to be early in the morning or later in the evening.
What safety measures will be in place?
I am only offering one shoot per day, so I'll come straight from my house (most likely on foot), with clean hands. I do own a mask but I won't be using one during the session as I'll need to direct you. I'll also bring a tape measure with me, to ensure that we're all aware of the 2 metre distance during the session. I will bring anti bacterial gel with me too. If you have young children, it's important to have a think about whether they are able to understand the 2 metre rule. If you don't think that they will be able to stay in a directed area, we'll need to discuss other options (holding them in your arms etc).
What shall we wear?
Don't worry about outfits, I will send advice once your session is booked.
Are you donating any of the money to charity?
Yes, I'll be donating 20% of the fee to the charity 2 Wish Upon a Star, who provide bereavement support for families who have suddenly and traumatically lost a child or young adult aged 25 years and under.
Follow me on Instagram to see what I've been up to during lockdown, or read my lockdown blogs - How to shoot your own lockdown images and Lockdown photos at home.
I'm looking forward to seeing you, from a safe distance soon!
Gemma Griffiths is a family photographer based near Cardiff. She works with families outdoors to create fresh natural images.
