Socially Distanced Family Photography | What Reopening Looks Like
What does a Socially Distanced Family Photography Session Look Like?
With the end of the stay at home order (hopefully) drawing near, every Boston Family Photographer has reopening safety on their minds. How can we conduct socially distanced family sessions? Where can we legally shoot with no masks? Will our family galleries look different than they did before the pandemic? Here’s the scoop for Lyndsay Hannah Photography!
Frequently Asked Question 1: Where Can We Have Our Session?
With mask laws in Massachusetts under effect, there are added challenges to choosing the best location for your family session. The mask law in Massachusetts states that those two years and older must wear a mask when social distancing is not possible. This means that lots of busy areas closest to Boston are likely not an option for your session over the next couple months. Individual towns like Somerville, Hopkinton, Waltham, and Cambridge (to name a few) have masks at all times orders. This rules those towns out unless you are on private property.
My preference has always been to shoot in remote fields and parks, but I have quite a few city-based clients who may have to consider heading out to the suburbs or delaying their session for several months to see if laws relax.
Frequently Asked Question #2: Will my Gallery Look Different?
The short answer is no, I don’t believe your gallery will look much different than pre-pandemic! If you’ve had an outdoor session with me in recent years, you might have noticed that I always shoot with two lenses: a 35mm lens and an 85mm lens. I use my 35 for those wide angle, environmental shots like the picture above. I use my 85 mm for more traditional portraits. The 85mm requires me to stand nice and far away: perfect for social distancing!
Some things might change a bit. I won’t be able to stand over families and get some of the downward angles that I used to since I am not 6′ tall! However, this may mean that I carry a step stool around with me to help me get some similar angles with a different lens!
Frequently Asked Question #3: When Can We Have a Socially Distanced Session?
Before the pandemic, I pretty religiously stuck to sunset and sunrise sessions. This is even more important now! With the rise in working from home and less commuting, many families are outside getting fresh air and exercise. The busiest times in parks are morning to evening which is why we want to be there before or after to keep everyone safe! If you have your heart on a busier than average location, consider a sunrise session (6:00AM), a weeknight sunset session, or potentially delaying your session for a few months.
To Sum It All Up: The Nitty Gritty
To sum it all up, I cannot wait to start photographing your families again! I feel confident that outdoor family sessions can happen in a safe way, with carefully chosen times and locations.
Things I will be doing:
- Sanitizing my hands before and after sessions
- Sanitizing my equipment after each session
- Encouraging families to bring their own quilts/blankets for seated shots
- Staying 6+ feet away from your family
- No hugging, handshakes, or touching
- Continuing to practice social distancing with my own family
