Kentish Express Ashford & District
Residents in focus during lockdown
Photographers around the county have been taking candid shots of households on their doorsteps in a bid to document precious family memories and in some cases drum up funds for the NHS.
So-called “doorstep photoshoots” are providing families with the chance to capture some priceless memories.
It has also afforded snappers a safe space in which to engage with clients and neighbours while also bringing in some much-needed cash for their businesses and the health service.
New mum Sarah Hunt is currently running her business, Strawberry Photography, from her home in Snodland.
The 32-year-old usually focusses on weddings but as these have all now been rescheduled until next year.
Each session is conducted outside and in line with government guidelines.
Sarah has snapped everyone from a funeral director to a nurse assessor and her pet pooches.
But a group she has taken shots of regularly is mums-to-be.
Payment is collected through contactless means and £5 from every shoot is donated to the NHS.
Another photographer who has been doing her part for the NHS is Sevenoaks-based Estelle Thompson.
The 46-year-old has been capturing lockdown life in the small village of Fawkham near Dartford.
Estelle noticed people talking about a project in America called “Doorstep portraits” and decided to emulate it in her own tiny village by posting on the Fawkham community Facebook page.
In return, she asked villagers for a £10 pledge to the NHS and has now amassed more than £500 thanks to various generous donations.
The photographer says the idea has since “spiralled” into a time capsule, with her being asked to bury a USB containing some of the doorstep portraits.
She even snapped new priest Adele Barker, who arrived at the local church St Marys in Longfield, not long before lockdown.
Elsewhere, a couple in Iwade, near Sittingbourne, adapted their photography business to offer doorstep souvenir shots during the VE Day celebrations.
David and Jemma Rannard, of Create Rannard’s Photography and Design, have been offering to take family portraits outside homes but also to record important events during lockdown.
The couple charge £20 for a 10-minute photoshoot and donate £5 to the NHS.
A project by Simon Hawkins, from Throwley, has documented the unprecedented period of isolation with pictures of mums, dads and children from across Faversham and Sheldwich, who grin and wave from behind windows and front doors.
The families photographed by Mr Hawkins are those of youngsters in his five-year-old daughter Felicity’s class at school.
Award-winning photographer Zak Waters has been taking pictures of people through their windows and doors as he exercises around Folkestone.
They include pictures of families and people on their own, children looking bored and one man sunbathing in his doorway.
Zak is a lecturer at The Edge School of Creative and Business at Folkestone College and has held many of his own exhibitions.
His past clients include the BBC, Ikea, Cocoa Cola and Boots.
His list of accolades include Kent FE Teacher of the Year 2018 and bronze winner in Portraiture London Photographic Awards.