‘It’s something to look forward to’
Saskatoon photographer documents families on front steps during COVID-19
Saskatoon photographer Amanda Zaki of A–Z Photography knew she wanted to bring #thefrontstepproject to Saskatoon. Saskatoon Starphoenix reporter Darla Read spoke to her about why this project is needed during this uncertain time ...
Q How has COVID-19 affected your photography business?
A I think the biggest thing is the unknown, the uncertainty. As of right now, I currently have a full wedding season booked, and I don’t know what’s going to happen with this season.
My clients are scared right now. They’re scared that their celebration of love and the event that they’ve prepared for and put so much time and work into now might not be happening now, or that it is going to be altered significantly.
Q How did you first hear about #thefrontstepproject?
A A friend sent me an article that was originally from the Boston area and it described to me what #thefronstepproject was. I knew it was something I could do.
One of the reasons why I love photography so much is it allows a moment of time to be captured and you can look back on it later. (COVID-19) has been such a change for people’s lives.
It’s a unique time in history. I think it’s a time we’ll all look back and we’ll remember the days we got to spend so much time at home with our loved ones.
It’s also a very difficult and stressful time. I think participating in #thefrontsteproject will bring so many smiles to homes and families and couples. It gives people a reason to get dressed up and do an activity while staying home.
It’s something to look forward to. I had a follower on Instagram who was a hairdresser and now she can’t work because her salon is closed, and her kids are home all the time. It was starting to really affect her mental health.
I reached out to her, and said, ‘Check out my last Insta story and let me know if you’re interested.’ She messaged me back, ‘I’m so overwhelmed with emotion right now because it’s my son’s birthday right now. Obviously there’s no party and it would mean so much to have a picture with my family at that time.’
Stories like that are really humbling for me. Makes me realize how important this is.
It’s a time we’ll all look back and we’ll remember the days we got to spend so much time at home with our loved ones.
Q Can you explain how this project works?
A I will pull up to the family’s home, and from the sidewalk, I will be taking five minutes worth of images of the family. We’ll take some candid photos, we’ll take some posed photos, and then I will send them the images. And then I hop in the car and go to the next one.
Q Why were you drawn to be a part of #thefrontstepproject?
A I have so many friends with young kids who are really struggling right now because they’re having to basically let go of their careers at the moment and be home with their kids. I think that Saskatoon right now needs something to promote them to stay home, but also something to look forward to.
I wanted to give a service to the people of Saskatoon that is a positive and something for them to look forward to doing while staying home and doing what we need to do in order to flatten the curve.