WEDDING CAMERAMEN BACK IN ACTION
Photographer hopes business will get better this year due to Covid-19 vaccination drive
AFTER experiencing a drastic drop in business due to the Covid-19 pandemic, wedding photographers are back in action. The implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) followed by strict standard operating procedures for pre-wedding photoshoots and solemnisation ceremonies last year saw a decline in demand for photographers and videographers.
Due to the pandemic, some outdoor photography projects had to be cancelled. Several clients had even requested refunds.
After another round of MCO last month, the government gave the green light for photography services to resume on Feb 10, which saw bookings trickling in for wedding photographers.
Full-time freelance photographer Fikriamin Adenan, 44, said the pandemic led to uncertainty and poor business last year but he expected things to improve this year.
“Even when outdoor pre-wedding photoshoots and akad nikah (marriage solemnisation ceremony) were allowed in June last year, most of my clients were not keen (to hire a photographer) because of the strict do’s and don’ts.
“There were even last-minute cancellations due to the spike of Covid-19 cases in certain areas.
“The MCO last month forced some clients to reschedule their photoshoots while there were some who wanted refunds as there was no guarantee when they could hold their ‘big day’.
“With the vaccination process initiated, I hope there will not be any more setbacks,” he said during an outdoor photoshoot at Beserah near here.
Fikriamin said photographers were slowly returning to outdoor pre-wedding photoshoot locations in the state capital, including popular beaches in Beserah and Cherating .
“It is a matter of time before we see more outdoor photography sessions.
“Photographers like me adhere to the SOP strictly, including maintaining physical distancing and wearing face masks and gloves.
“We will discuss with the couples the proposed locations as we do not want any problems with the authorities.
“We usually suggest to them to keep the group at the photoshoot location to less than 10 people. Although inter-district travel is still not allowed, providing an opportunity for the creative arts industry to resume is a huge relief.”
Videographer Zulhairi Khairuddin, 32, from Sungai Isap here, described the past year as tough.
“But everything is slowly returning to normal. The arrival of the vaccines will give people more confidence to resume public gatherings.
“The public must continue to follow the SOP as this will gradually reduce the number of Covid-19 cases.”