“I cannot stress this enough: Marylanders need to stay in place at home to slow the spread of this deadly virus.”
Gov Larry Hogan
When the request to practice social distancing began, service-based businesses like mine suffered immediately – I cannot make portraits without interacting with people. Being hit with breaking news several times a day, I’ve tried to stay ahead of the requirements and do my best to keep my clients and my own family safe. In the beginning, I stopped shooting in my retail studio space and moved sessions outdoors. Within days, I was following the Executive Order to cease business entirely. I understand the desire to work around the mandates and continue doing business – small business owners do not know when they’ll see another paycheck.
In the past week, porch session have gained a lot of media attention – many of my well-meaning friends and clients have tagged and shared similar stories and encouraged me to take part. “Porch Portraits” or “Front Porch Sessions” are portraits were the photographer keeps social-distance by shooting from the road or sidewalk in front of their client’s home.
On Monday, all non-essential businesses in Maryland were required to close. Governor Hogan specifically disallowed door-to-door solicitation in this Executive Order. There is no loophole or interpretation that would allow “front porch sessions” in Maryland.
As a photographer going out and gathering people to photograph – even from 6 feet away – I’d be risking a $5,000 fine and/or up to a year in jail. I’d also risk loosing my insurance coverage. No matter how low-risk this type of session is, it’s against the law.
To be honest, I love the heart behind this trend – I think it’s a beautiful way to record actual history during these unprecedented times – but it’s not the only way to preserve the memories. If we do this right and keep our distance now, I’ll be here to take these photos as soon as the shut down is over.
I will not be participating in Front Porch Portraits until the order is lifted because I want to lead by example and help flatten the curve.
In these uncertain times, we’re all feeling scared, vulnerable, sad, stressed, financially unstable – there is very little under our control. The only thing I can do personally is to follow the rules. As soon as it is reasonable, I would love to capture images for your family to record this time. We will give the local administration time to make a plan, to mitigate risk and to resume life with this new threat – once they’ve had that opportunity, I hope to be able to make images for you again.
