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03
Aug 2020
Local photographer offered free doorstep shoots over lockdown
Nikki Mitchell began to photograph her mother and in-laws and realised the power of photographing such a unique moment in time. She began to offer free doorstep sessions and photo shoots for key workers.
A photographer has put her skills to good use and given away 150 free doorstep photoshoots over lockdown.
Nikki Mitchell started by photographing her mum and her husband's parents, and quickly realised the need for families to see their loved ones whilst they couldn't visit in person.
She began offering shoots locally to her in Kirk Hammerton and gave any donations to Harrogate charity Autism Angels. With the events she would usually photograph on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic, Nikki has been offering free photoshoots to key workers.
She said:
"At the beginning of lockdown, I did doorstep photoshoots locally to me - there was a total of 150 families. After that I did a few family shoots locally.
"I arranged a free day of photos for key workers in a park and 15 booked in. But people slowly cancelled and the weather wasn't ideal so they all got gift cards instead to redeem later on. The free shoots were my way of helping people, making connections and chatting to people.
"At the time, it was important to make people smile. It just escalated and now I know I'll be secure after all of this."
Read more:
- Ripon's photography competition is asking its residents to submit a photo to display what living through lockdown means to them.
- HELP charity has helped over 500 families over lockdown and is preparing for an increase as it eases further.
As lockdown eased, Nikki began to offer socially distant photoshoots in parks and gardens, managing to continue to earn money in a safe way.
"Many of the family shoots take one hour, but I was only doing quick 15 minute shoots for families in a park and they worked really well. School shoots have been popular too, now schools are back - I set a date and time and the parents bring their children along.
"I've done newborn shoots, engagements, birth announcements and birthdays. So even over lockdown I've been able to capture special moments that were missed by their families."
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