Safe Photoshoot Practices During Tough Pandemic Times

The coronavirus will forever impact the world in a significant way, and life will never be the same for the creative industry in particular. The free-flowing and uninhibited creative process often used to create stunning portraits and photos of every kind must be re-architected to match COVID-19 prevention protocols. Photographers should take a good look at how they conducted shoots before the pandemic and work to blend the best of their photoshoot norms with the new normal COVID-19 has brought. These do’s and don’ts will help both photography studios and freelancers flourish no matter what the future holds and are the perfect place to start in creating a new way of doing business.

Do’s

Do create an official policy that you can communicate with your clients.

Once a formal infectious disease policy is crafted, make sure to post it on your website and create a document that can be sent over e-mail to your clients. Creating a policy that is clear, simple to understand, and easy to read will help your clients comprehend your expectations upfront and will also help them feel at ease.

Do make sure you follow manufacturer guidelines when disinfecting camera equipment.

Some of the most highly recommended disinfecting products for camera equipment are 70% isopropyl alcohol, disinfecting wipes, and plain soap and water. Be careful not to oversaturate your gear with moisture and try to limit the sharing of equipment and unauthorized handling.

Don’ts

Don’t allow sick clients or staff members to attend photoshoots.

Encouraging clients and staff members to stay home if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 will help prevent your photoshoot from becoming a super spreader event. Creating a health questionnaire that clients can fill out before your shoot is advised, and don’t forget to check the temperature of everyone who is onsite. Clearly mark social distancing areas at the shooting site or in your studio, and make sure that you budget for extra masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, wipes, and spray disinfectant.

Don’t forget to research your city’s local guidelines and follow any capacity limitations along with CDC guidelines. Avoid packing your schedule so that clients overlap. There should be enough time in between each appointment to thoroughly sanitize your equipment and/or studio. Remember to sanitize high touch areas before, after, and between shoots and sanitize main congregation areas.

Humans Are Highly Adaptable Creatures

With vaccines becoming available to everyone, photographers along with everyone else on the planet have begun to breathe a little easier as all parts of the business sector keep their fingers tightly crossed in hopes of returning to full business capacity sometime spoon. But for the months ahead and possibly the next couple of years, basic safety precautions such as masks, sanitation, and limiting mass gatherings may still be advised to avoid the resurgence of coronavirus variants and mass contagion. 

Change can be challenging, but the good thing is that humans are highly adaptable by nature and have the capacity to form habits very quickly. This extremely difficult time has made people appreciate artistic escapes more than ever and providing a holistic and safe atmosphere for photography clients is sure to be a much-needed getaway.