fbpx

Lockdown Doorstep Portraits In Tongham 2020 During Coronavirus

2020

May 2020 Just off out to photograph Tongham’s Doorstep Portraits

Lockdown Doorstep Portraits In Tongham 2020 During Coronavirus

Deciding to start our Lockdown Portraits in Tongham 2020…….Monday 23rd March 2020 is the date that will be etched on our minds and taught in history lessons in the future. The date that Boris told us to Stay at home, Protect the NHS & Save Lives.

Most of us did one or all of the following things….. worked from home, did the Thursday eve 8pm clapping for the NHS, got furloughed, homeschooled, did PE With Joe workouts, baked scones made rainbows in our front windows, tried to keep the children occupied, did some gardening, got out the paddling pools & sprinklers, celebrated VE day with front garden parties, & got to know our neighbours better,

Working as a full-time Newborn & Family Photographer in Farnham near Aldershot meant, of course, that shoots were put on hold, rescheduled and I missed my clients terribly. The first few weeks of getting us all into a routine with homeschooling I found really hard. Adam, my partner, has a land surveying business with his brother and they were kept occupied working from home too.  Whilst my other photographer friends photographed their own families day by day, I didn’t pick up my camera for weeks, was so disappointed and had quite a few down days.

I started to think about how I could give back to my community after seeing many photographers around the country taking Doorstep Portraits in aid of charity. It was totally free and all I was asking was for families to consider a donation to charity.

What a fantastic idea!

A page was set up with the help from the charity and all proceeds going to The Royal Surrey Hospital Charity. This is one of our local hospitals where we had our youngest daughter. We were allowed 1 hour per day to go outside and exercise so I used this time a few days per week to go and photograph families on their doorsteps and of course keeping my 2 metres of social distance.

Using our local Tongham Community Facebook page, I asked households just in my road first. Quite a response from this made me extend it to the whole of Tongham but wasn’t prepared for how popular it would be! I sat with many pieces of A4 paper with all the road names in the village and listed each family on each road and planned my route grouping them all together. I started photographing on foot but then realised going on my bike was the quickest way to get around.

VE Day was upon us on Friday 8th May with front garden parties with road DJs and many houses were still decorated in flags and bunting when I arrived so they looked great.

After being with just my own family for so long it was great to get out and chat (from afar) with other people and find out about their lives and our community in Tongham. I met neighbours I had never seen before and everyone was so friendly & supportive of what I was doing of which I am totally grateful.

So who did I photograph?

82 Families
25 Dogs
4 Cats
1 Horse
5 Baby bumps
2 Babies
2 Birthday girls
1 Birthday boy
1 Church & Vicar
1 Shop

Keyworkers were fitted in when they had a day off with their families and I would like to say an extra big THANK YOU to them.

The Farnham Herald Paper wrote a piece on our Lockdown Portraits in Tongham 2020 and to see the images in the paper made me super proud of what I was doing. I had an interview with Eagle Radio too who then set me a goal to raise £500. We quickly reached this in a few days.

So, as the younger children in our country are heading back to school, shielded people can, at last, go out, we can meet up to 6 people from other households and our country is coming out of these strange times, my Doorstep Portraits are coming to a close and the total we have raised is £1501 which I am incredibly proud of and The Royal Surrey Charity are very grateful for.

Now I am planning to get all these images printed in a book to keep as a record for Tongham as these are historic times we are going through. (permission always asked for images to be used)

When all this is over and we return to some kind of normal whatever that will be, I would like to have all the photos of you and your families up on display maybe at the Community Centre or The Old School, Tongham so we can see them all printed together and I can say hi to you again and maybe a big hug too…… I’ve missed hugs!

Scroll to the bottom for a gallery of some of the images taken

***UPDATE****

During this time babies have still been arriving. I was so lucky to go back and photograph a couple of the families who had welcomed their new arrival! Congratulations guys!!!!!

You can read their stories in a blog I wrote on Giving Birth In A Pandemic & A reminder Of Happiness by clicking here

CLICK HERE TO READ THE STORY ON ROYAL SURREY COUNTY HOSPITAL WEBSITE

Lots of love

Zoe

xxx

0 Comments

OUR VERY

LATEST BLOGS

Blooming Adventure: Chasing Bluebells in Surrey and Hampshire

Blooming Adventure: Chasing Bluebells in Surrey and Hampshire

Blooming Adventure: Chasing Bluebells in Surrey and Hampshire   As spring arrives, nature awakens in a spectacular display of colours, scents, and textures. One of the most enchanting sights during this season is the blooming of bluebell flowers in the woodlands...

Finding the best children’s playgrounds in Farnham Surrey

Finding the best children’s playgrounds in Farnham Surrey

Finding the best children's playgrounds in Farnham, Surrey     Now the sunshine is here and the weather is a little warmer, I thought i'd put this list together of Finding the best children's playgrounds in Farnham, Surrey. Need to get out the house for an...

Looking for a Newborn Photographer That Comes To Your Home In Surrey

Looking for a Newborn Photographer That Comes To Your Home In Surrey

Looking for a Newborn Photographer That Comes To Your Home In SurreyI'm Zoe and have been photographing newborns for 8 years now. After photographing for other people for so many years, I took the leap 5 years ago to go it alone. With specialised training in newborn...

When Social Media Memories Vanish

When Social Media Memories Vanish

When Social Media Memories Vanish: Coping with Disappearing Facebook and Instagram   Tuesday 5th March 2024 What if Facebook & Instagram hit the snooze button and our treasure trove of photos vanishes into the digital void forever? As I'm writing this,...

Photos not to miss on your i phone in hospital of your newborn baby

Photos not to miss on your i phone in hospital of your newborn baby

Congratulations on the arrival of your newborn baby! Capturing those precious moments at the hospital is a wonderful way to preserve the memories of this special time. When it comes to photographing your newborn at the hospital, there are several moments you won't...

Guildford & Farnham, Surrey Baby Shower Hotspots

Guildford & Farnham, Surrey Baby Shower Hotspots

Hello! Congratulations! Just found out you’re “In The Club”?  Here is your list of Guildford & Farnham, Surrey Baby Shower Hotspots Your pregancy time goes very quickly (fair warning) so a Baby Shower is a wonderful way to celebrate this time with your nearest and...

2024’s Best Pregnancy and Baby Apps for Expecting Parents

2024’s Best Pregnancy and Baby Apps for Expecting Parents

Find 2024's Perfect Pregnancy and Baby Apps for Your Needs The Ultimate Guide to the Best Pregnancy and Baby Apps for Expecting Parents: Welcome to my guide on the best pregnancy and baby apps available today. As an expecting Mum, staying informed and organized during...

Debunking The Top 5 Myths About In-Home Newborn Photography

Debunking The Top 5 Myths About In-Home Newborn Photography

Debunking The Top 5 Myths About In-Home Newborn Photography   1. It's only for newborns in the first 2 weeks Don't panic! I photograph babies at any age. Whereas in the first 3 weeks they are generally all curled up and more sleepy, after this time you are still...

What To Wear For Your Bluebell Family Session

What To Wear For Your Bluebell Family Session

What To Wear For Your Bluebell Family Session Coming Spring 2024   What Happens After My Session? After your session, I carefully edit your images, upload them to a secure viewing gallery, for you to view about a week after your session then you can choose your...

Calling New Parents!      What to wear for your newborn photoshoot

Calling New Parents! What to wear for your newborn photoshoot

New Parents! What to wear for your newborn photoshoot!  Congratulation new Mummies & Daddies, I hope you are enjoying the new addition to your family & enjoying all those baby cuddles......they really are the best. Are you in the haze of those first few days...

What Shall We Wear For Our Family Photoshoot

What Shall We Wear For Our Family Photoshoot

I get asked every year what clients should wear at their family shoot and as the beautiful colours change so much in our countryside its great to wear clothing to compliment the season’s colours around us.

Where is the best place to take my baby swimming in Farnham or Guildford?

Where is the best place to take my baby swimming in Farnham or Guildford?

Looking for the Best place to take my baby swimming in Farnham or Guildford & the surrounding areas?
I can help!
I have put a list together of all of the fab places around to have a splish and splash with your little one.
Our girls absoultely love swimming and still do and we found that introducing them early to pools gave them the confidence to enjoy it as they have got older.

The 5 Best Beaches To Travel To From Surrey

The 5 Best Beaches To Travel To From Surrey

Did Someone Say Beach? The warmer weather is just around the corner and you will be probably planning days out & "looking for a beach near me in Surrey."  I've put together this blog of The 5 Best Beaches To Travel To From Surrey. As you may know, I love the beach...

Booking An At Home Newborn Session In Surrey

Booking An At Home Newborn Session In Surrey

Booking An 'At Home' Newborn Session In Surrey I'm Zoe and have been photographing newborns for 8 years now. After photographing for other people for so many years, I took the leap 5 years ago to go it alone. I have had training with 2 top photographers so you can...

Not sure what hypnobirthing is all about?

Not sure what hypnobirthing is all about?

Right, let me say one thing right off the bat… Hypnobirthing needs a name change because let’s face it, it’s pretty rubbish and it doesn’t really define what courses like this are about these days, well… most of them anyway!
Hypnobirthing has been around for a LONG time and it’s definitely not the fad that it’s made out to be. Nor is it all about crystals and chanting! Since it’s inception many years ago, it has evolved into something pretty awesome.

9 Top Tips For Taking Your Newborn Photos At Home

9 Top Tips For Taking Your Newborn Photos At Home

9 Top Tips For Taking Your Newborn Photos At Home So you don't miss out on those early days witrh your baby, I wanted to give you some ideas on how to take your own newborn or baby photos at home. Here are my top tips and things you shouldn't miss whilst photographing...

Things To Do In The School Holidays In Farnham Guildford Surrey

Things To Do In The School Holidays In Farnham Guildford Surrey

The last term seem to be just over and now the next school holidays are nearly upon us. If you are wondering how to keep your children busy in the school holidays or things to do in the school holidays in Farnham, Surrey read on for loads of activities in the Farnham,...

How To Take Your Baby or Children’s Passport Photo On Your Phone

How To Take Your Baby or Children’s Passport Photo On Your Phone

How To Take Your Baby or Children's Passport Photo On Your Phone How To Take Your Baby or Children's Passport Photo On Your Phone. As a family photographer in Farnham, Guildford, Hampshire & Surrey area I get asked every year to take images for passports but now...

Gifts For New Parents & Newborns

Gifts For New Parents & Newborns

Gifts for Newborns & Their Parents When someone in your family or a friend announces they are expecting a new bay or babies to their family one of the things that springs to mind, after jumping for joy, is 'BABY SHOPPING!!!!!' I hope you find this useful for Gifts...

Top 7 Things To Do With The 3 Million Photos On Your Phone

Top 7 Things To Do With The 3 Million Photos On Your Phone

I wanted to write this blog "Top 7 Things To Do With The 3 Million Photos On Your Phone" after a client of mine was asking on socials what to do with hers on her phone. Now, while I do print a lot of my personal photos and put in frames, I am just like you and have...

The Most Important Images Of All

The Most Important Images Of All

Family Portraits....they are, in fact, the most important images of all Family Photo Session Farnham Aldershot Guildford. Showing our family as it grows, as new children arrive and pets are added to the mix. So a Family Photo Session in Farnham is super important and...

What happens when you tick the box

What happens when you tick the box

Farnham Aldershot Guildford Hampshire Surrey Photographer It's been 2 years since we started our Doorstep Portraits here in Tongham & I had some great news from Sandy at the Royal Surrey County Hospital Charity  when she visited the studio recently. This is what...

The Best Presents To Buy For Teachers

The Best Presents To Buy For Teachers

The Best Presents To Buy For Teachers: With the end of term nearly upon us, it's time to say a big thank you to the lovely teachers, LSAs and helpers of our little ones. From nursery up to year six all the teachers probably need a well deserved large glass of wine or...

We got married in a pandemic, here’s what it was like

We got married in a pandemic, here’s what it was like

I wanted to write this blog "We got married in a pandemic, here's what it was like" after the whirlwind few months of: Booking our wedding date, thinking everything will be back to 'normal' Then the restrictions not being fully lifted Cancelling the venue Planning a...

My camera upgrade journey & why I switched to mirrorless

My camera upgrade journey & why I switched to mirrorless

In writing this blog 'My camera upgrade journey & why I switched to mirrorless' it was like visiting old friends with happy memories attached. I have, in fact, in my mind, been a photographer from about the age of 9 when my Nanny bought me my 1st camera a...

A Reminder Of Happiness During Covid Times

A Reminder Of Happiness During Covid Times

The lovely Mummies that live here have kindly written about their experience of giving pregnancy and birth in a time where they could not show off their bumps to families and friends.

Definitely not hitting delete on these……

Definitely not hitting delete on these……

Definitely not hitting delete on these..... Ok, so I have a lot of photos.....BUT they are printed and displayed in our house and definitely won't be deleted EVER. Photographs have always been important to me and I have always loved clicking away after Family &...

Banging on about it again……

Banging on about it again……

Why Printing Your Pictures Is So Important......... I'll bet you, like me, have taken so many photographs over the past year! You might have used your phone today camera today, you may even use your camera everyday. It has never been easier to take photographs-we all...

Choosing A Name For Your Newborn Baby Boy or Girl

Choosing A Name For Your Newborn Baby Boy or Girl

Zoe-meaning "LIFE" in Greek So you are excitedly awaiting the arrival of your newborn, you may be just a few weeks pregnant or got nearly to your due date and need help trying to choosing a name for your newborn baby And even more thinking to do, if like me at the...