Hello Beautiful!
I’ve really missed working up-close and personal, but it’s empowering to know that a few simple steps can allow me to do what I love safely.
Unfortunately, Covid-19 is a thing. It’s a hellacious virus that spreads faster than we’ve been able to control it. It’s spreading in the air, on surfaces, and through contact. Since it is a new virus, we’re learning new things about how this virus is spread and transmitted, and the damage it is doing. Although not everyone will have serious effects from the virus, others may be devastated by the effects. I have been slow to come up with a plan immediately because I wanted to move forward with all the information and we just didn’t have much data yet. Although I will be moving forward with client activities cautiously still, I have instilled some practices in Cinnamon Rose Photography’s workflow to keep my family and my clients as safe as I can. There are some reasonable steps that I can take to make the photo session safer for everyone. Luckily, I was already a low-volume business and I will continue to space clients out to have plenty of time for thorough cleaning in-between sessions. Since I work from my home, I am a little extra cautious. Here is a list of some practices now in place.
Masking Up: I will be wearing a mask during any interactions with clients where I am unable to social distance. Facial expressions are an important focus in my photography and I have found that I can still safely show my face to show expression when needed as long as I am a safe distance away from clients. My family members occasionally assist in photo sessions and will be wearing a mask anytime they are near clients. Obviously, clients cannot wear a mask in their photos, but they may wear one while having their hair and part of their make-up done if they choose.
Less Face to Face: I usually prefer to have an in-person consultation to go over everything my client may need or like to know before their photo session. I also love showing my clients their finished collection of images in person. It helps me out a lot to see firsthand which images my clients have a physical response to. I’ll be switching both of these meetings to video conferences to limit the amount of time we are face-to-face.
Hand sanitizer: I’ve added a commercial strength hand sanitizer to my work cart, Windy. I can now easily sanitize any time I must touch my mask or a client.
Snacks and Beverages: Only individually packaged snacks and beverages will be offered.
Updated Make-up and Styling Sanitation: I took training to assure that I would be prepared to keep my space and practices sanitized to protect against everyday germs, but specifically for Covid-19. I already practiced many of the steps taught in this program, such as washing brushes thoroughly between clients, and washing all fabrics in high heat/ steaming them. Taking the course helped assure that I was adding in Covid safe practices.
Limiting the number of people in my Studio at a time. Although these previously mentioned steps can help to limit the risk with one or two people at a time, group and family sessions will be moved to outdoor locations. That way everyone has plenty of space and fresh air.
Screening: We expect that our clients are responsible and understand that it is not safe to do a photo session if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive or experienced symptoms within two weeks before their session. I’ve included reminders of this in my pre-session questionnaire, my contract now includes a waiver, and in the post-session questionnaire. That way, our practices are clear and there are multiple chances for my clients to share any exposure they may have had.
I am hopeful that if we all do our part, we will soon see infection numbers lowering and can return to some form of normalcy. I am prepared to move forward serving clients as safely as possible. Take care, stay safe, except you covid, you can just die already…
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