Lauren snaps up images of Covid doorstep drama
ATEACHER turned photographer is appealing for help as she looks to use her new skills to chronicle one of the strangest times in modern history.
Lauren Stout, 32, who works at Bollington St John’s Primary, used the first lockdown to develop her talent with a camera.
She created the Photography Doorstep Challenge, in which she pictured other Bollington residents outside their homes last year as a record of people in the Covid pandemic.
Such was her success that Lauren has set up her own business called Little Lens Photography.
And now, after her doorstep project was warmly received by many, she is looking for help from businesses and sponsors to turn dozens of portraits into a book.
Lauren said: “I was not sure whether or not the people of Bollington would get behind this idea.
“I approached a few friendly local faces, who I thought had an interesting story to tell and the project grew from there.
“The response I have had has been amazing. The community have been so kind and all desperate to get involved and show case what a diverse and friendly community we live in.
“I want to tell the stories of as many of our residents as I possibly can. I have already spoken to or photographed varying ages of subject from five months old to 98-yearolds and an array of our amazing local businesses.
”My aim is to turn these amazing stories and portraits into a book, to create a part of social history at this strange moment in time.”
Lauren was given a camera for Christmas a few months before Covid struck. When the country locked down she was inspired to embark upon her doorstep work by a similar venture in the USA called Humans of New York.
Her project raised money for the Hope Central Foodbank.
Lauren, who has lived with her husband in Bollington for 10 years, now combines her teaching with her children’s photography business.
She said: “The fact that my work is bringing a little joy to people in this dark time spurs me on to do this project.
“The community have rallied during the pandemic and I want this book to be testament to how we’ve gotten each other through.”
Anyone who can help is asked to email laurenwalsh88@hotmail.co.uk. All photographs are taken outdoors at a social distance unless at a business that is open and permits entry.