The Front Steps Project, Westminster

$50 is the recommended donation amount, but please donate as you're able. 

Hi everyone! I'm Mary Brunst, a professional photographer located in Westminster, MD.

Have you heard of the Front Steps Project? Massachusetts photographer Cara Soulia started it as a way to celebrate family, life, and community and to offer support through the coronavirus quarantine. I think it’s so wonderful and would love to be a part of it!

Lately the world feels a bit like a holiday… but an on-going holiday. Not at all making light of current circumstances, but with little traffic on the road and everything but essential stores being open, it feels like Thanksgiving morning without any of the holiday cheer.

However, goodness and joy are still present. The goal of this business, from the beginning, has been to provide heart-centered photography that celebrates the joyful parts of your story. Life is too short not to hold on to and remember the good. Although everyday life as we know it has seemingly paused, I would love to help you remember the good moments and memories that are happening. It’s not all fear and uncertainty, sickness and pandemic… we are taking quality time to spend with our families, neighbors are helping neighbors, we are learning new hobbies, reading new books, we have the technology to virtually spend time with our friends, we are reaching out and checking in on those we care about (and maybe haven’t talked to in awhile), and creating new habits… good things and joyful moments are still happening. I want to help us remember those moments. While of course, like you, practicing safe and significant social distancing during this unprecedented time.

Starting tomorrow, Monday, March 23rd, I am joining The Front Steps Project and offering to take five minute ‘Front Steps Portraits” of those local to Westminster, or within a 15-mile radius of Westminster. I am taking three hours each day to go around town and snap super fast images of families on their front steps. 

I will let you know when I’m on my way to your home and you and your family can step outside, where I’ll be standing near your driveway or street, at least 15 feet away. I’ll take a couple quick shots and leave. I physically interact with no one, and touch nothing, during these sessions. I will, of course, smile and laugh with you… and still tell you what to do with your hands ha!

After your super quick session, I will email you the digital file of your portrait.  In exchange, I am asking you to make a voluntary donation to help my friend, Micah Clark, and others like him that are immunocompromised. Micah is 2.5 yrs old and has a rare genetic disease called LAMA2 merosin-deficient muscular dystrophy. Because of this disease he is immunocompromised and has been in the hospital since early March due to a bad cough and cold. Whereas Micah does not have COVID-19 (and prayerfully won’t get it!), due to already being hospitalized along with the coronavirus concerns, this has been a challenging time for his family. I know we have neighbors and friends in similar situations and I’d like to do what we can to help!

I will be posting the images from this project on Facebook and Instagram using Cara’s hashtag #thefrontstepsproject. I’d love for you to share these post and help spread the word!

Cara has created this project in efforts to bring us together when we might feel isolated. Participating in this project is also an opportunity to step up to help those who need it most right now.

AGAIN, just to clarify–  I will be taking images outside of your home ONLY and from at least 10 feet away. The session will be brief, lasting only about 5 minutes. This is not a typical family photo session where you get dressed up, this is a come-as-you-are kind of session (if you want to dress up, of course you can, but don’t feel like it’s a requirement). Feel free to wear whatever you’d like! Even if they’re mismatched clothes, pajamas and slippers, or exercise clothes because you’re getting ready to go jog with your dog… be you, let’s have some fun!

$50 is the recommended donation amount, but please donate as you're able.