Dear neighbors,
As a photographer, I work with clients to capture moments of their lives that they will remember forever. I’m used to interacting with people all of the time and have been so sad not to be doing my work right now. Recently, I figured out a way to use my photographs to connect with and support my community.
A few days ago, I came across an article about Cara Soulia, a family photographer in Needham, MA who started a beautiful project called The Front Steps Project in which Soulia photographs household members on the front steps of their homes. She provides photographs free of charge and in exchange, asks individuals to make a donation to a local organization supporting people who need assistance during this unusual time.
I love the idea so much that I decided to be part of it. Over the next few weeks, I will be taking a series of 5-minute front steps portraits in my community of Amherst, MA. I will photograph household members outside ONLY, and from at least 10 feet away. Our interaction will involve no physical contact and will be brief, likely just 5 minutes. I will send out a digital file of the portraits to families, free of charge, and in exchange, I will ask them to make a good faith donation to the
Amherst Survival Center through this GoFundMe Campaign.
The Amherst Survival Center is a community center that offers lots of resources to help people meet their basic needs. They provide free meals, free groceries, free clothing, free medical care, and free community activities, and much more.
During a time when many of us are isolated, #TheFrontStepsProject uses photography to bring people together -
virtually and with strict social distancing! - in a way that will also help those who need it most right now in our community.
I hope to make this a win win exchange! Families can arrange, dress, and present themselves as they wish. No need to get dressed up as the point is for you to be YOU. Portraits will commemorate this strange time, and will also hopefully raise some funding.
To spread the word, I will post the images on Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #thefrontstepsproject. I’ll encourage others to share these posts and spread the word.
I hope you like this idea as much as I do and that you reach out to me to schedule a 5-minute front steps portrait.
PLEASE CLICK HERE to participate in the projectWith love,
Isabella
