HEADSHOTS WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING

Yes, it is safe to get headshots amidst the Caronavirus pandemic

Brittany visited me yesterday for her headshots. And, even with the challenge of social distancing, we achieved beautiful portraits.

I bet you're wondering how a photographer like me works within the safety and health guidelines set out by our government. It's like this ...

1. I chat with you (my client) on the phone and we devise a plan (mostly it's me doing the devising),
2. You arrive (we wave hello - that's the hard part - it's a conscious effort to NOT connect physically), 
3. We chat about your clothes,
4. Your photos are taken by me (I maintain a 1.5-metre distance - and that actually works out just fine - although not my preferred style), and then,
5. We wave goodbye (still not getting close to each other - another example of human restraint).

Simple? Well, NO, not really.
​
The easiest part for my clients is the task of following my direction. The hands-down hardest part is for either of us to not be able to share the experience physically.

A photoshoot is an intimate encounter. And, I can tell you that there is an outstanding sense of loss experienced by both the photographer, and the subject, at the end of a photoshoot, if neither can partake in the basic human need of personal connection (and after a photoshoot, it is very personal).

​Obviously we must keep it safe, but consequently we are missing out on one of life's most beneficial human experiences (even in photography) - connecting physically. We are fortunate that we are already accustomed to doing so many things online, but professional photoshoots are intense. After such an intense meeting, having no physical reassurance can leave everyone (even the photographer) feeling a little 'emptier' than we would like.

Headshot taken with caronavirus social distancing in Brisbane.