TIPS AND GUIDELINES FOR COVID 19 PHOTOGRAPHY

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

Trying to figure out how to keep photographing during Covid-19 while adhering to all of the safety rules? Personal photography has changed dramatically since the pandemic outbreak and the implementation of social distancing rules.

It takes new approaches to get work done safely, but that doesn’t mean the outcomes will be worse.

20 COVID Photography Tips

I contacted some professional photographers and asked how their work had changed as a result of all the restrictions and measures imposed by cities, states, and the government. They shared with me some COVID 19 photography tips to keep that will assist you in keeping your business alive and adapting to the new realities.

1. Always Sanitize Your Gear

The most important COVID 19 photography tip is to make sure all of your equipment and accessories are clean and sanitized before using them. Before sanitizing your camera, clean it first. After that, use a disinfectant to clean the camera, lens, strap, and tripod.

You can clean them with various substances, but be especially cautious with screens and lenses. It is preferable to use specialized screen cleaners and screen cleaning wipes to avoid causing any damage.

If you shoot outside, it is critical that you clean your equipment when you get home. Don’t forget about your smartphone, which is one of the most dangerous items for germs and bacteria.

2. Avoid Offline Payment Methods

There are numerous methods for accepting payment. However, it is best not to deal with cash payments, checks, or money orders at this time.

Bank transfer is the most secure and widely used payment method in the photography industry.

When a customer’s currency differs from that of the photographer, credit cards come in handy.

If your clients are unable to do so, you can exchange money while wearing disposable gloves.

Note: If you want to make some adjustments to the photo just let me know. I can do it for you at a very low cost. You can hire me to edit your photo.

3. Use a Zoom Lens

You have to keep 6 feet apart from people according to social distancing rules, so how can you get close-up shots? Consider using 70-200mm lenses for this. Zoom lenses allow you to take pictures far away from people while still capturing all of the details without sacrificing quality. Furthermore, you can use them to soften the background and create beautiful bokeh photographs.

4. Don’t Shoot in Public Spaces

Shooting outdoors has one major advantage in that you can keep a 6-foot distance from other people, which is especially useful if you are shooting in a large open area. However, you may encounter passers-by, and not everyone adheres to the official requirements of wearing masks or practicing social distancing on the streets.

As a result, when shooting outside, try to avoid shooting in public places. Choose outlying areas where you are unlikely to meet many people.

5. Make the Pre-Shoot Communication Virtual

Photoshoots require a great deal of planning, especially for commercial and editorial photography. Normally, you would meet with customers to discuss the details, but due to COVID-19, this is no longer possible.

You can, however, easily communicate with your clients via Zoom or Skype. Make sure you have the main points, creative photography ideas, and mood boards ready.

6. Wear Masks and Social Distance

Wear a mask whether you’re working in a studio or outside. Consider wearing gloves for added protection. You must maintain a six-foot distance between yourself and the people you are photographing.

If you’re going to work in a group, everyone, including models, must wear masks. Models may remove it during the shooting process.

7. Deliver the Photos Digitally

Some photographers save finished images on USB sticks or other storage devices. If you can’t do it any other way, wear gloves. For added security, you can sanitize a USB stick before using it. Take care not to harm it.

Another great COVID 19 photography tip is to send photos to your clients in digital form. Use one of the photo-sharing sites to obtain a download link for images.

8. Don’t Share Your Equipment

Photography and filmmaking can be highly collaborative mediums. However, because the virus can live for a long time on objects and surfaces, it is best to avoid sharing equipment if possible.

Even if you don’t have physical contact with other people, if you share your equipment, you may spread the virus. If you have to share or exchange equipment, make sure everyone wears gloves before touching anything.

9. Use No-Touch Posing Methods

When it comes to directing model poses, photographers are usually helpful and can even fix a model’s clothes or hair with their hands. It’s faster and more convenient, but I don’t recommend doing it right now.

Experiment with directing poses from a distance. Explain them to your models verbally, or ask their family or friends who came with them to the photoshoot to make the necessary repairs.

10. Inform Your Clients About the Safety Measures

When you’ve taken the necessary precautions, inform your clients of your plans to protect them. Make it clear to your customers that their safety is your top priority.

Inform your clients that you, as a photographer, have everything necessary to work safely and that there is no need for them to refrain from capturing wonderful memories with their families or friends.

11. Stay Informed

Local rules are constantly changing as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. That is why you must be aware of what is going on in your neighborhood. Many institutions have COVID-19 alert systems to which you can subscribe to stay up to date.

12. Work on Marketing

Take this time, whether you are a beginner or a professional photographer, to work on your photography marketing for the year. It’s a good idea to write and schedule some blog posts. To refresh the look of your website and social media, upload photos from your photography portfolio.

Make a schedule for your social media posts. Dive into IGTV and go live on Facebook and Instagram. Improve your SEO abilities. Use this time to prepare to act when things return to normal.

Update Your Cancellation and Reschedule Policies

Prior to COVID-19, photographers were very strict about canceling shoots. With each cancellation, they were able to avoid returning a deposit or retainer to their customers. With the current economic crisis, I advise you not to impose such stringent cancellation and rescheduling policies.

You may decide to eliminate all cancellation requirements and penalties, offer a full refund of your photoshoot fee, or simply agree to the most flexibility in rescheduling. Do not, however, remove the refund clause from your contract. You simply need to make some adjustments.

In any case, once you’ve made your decision, don’t forget to add an addition to the client’s portrait or wedding photography contract.

14. Make Up for the Lost Revenue with Prints

If your company is affected by the lockdown, you can still make up for lost profits. Consider learning how to print photography, for example. Contact previous clients and reopen galleries to sell photos, albums, and other items.

If at all possible, write to them and inquire whether they have ever printed the photographs you took last year. You may also want to sell images to your Instagram followers who appreciate your work and want to support you.

15. Be Flexible with Your Pricing

Another option is to improve your photography pricing list.

This can be difficult, and you must avoid underestimating yourself. You will destroy the industry around you if you lower your prices. Consider tiered pricing and offering interesting packages, however.

The economy may take a hit as a result of the current situation, and budgets may be tightened. Make sure you have a plan in place for people who like your work but can’t afford to hire you for your most expensive package. Weekday packages are an excellent way to broaden your market.

16. Ventilate the Space

Make sure your room is well ventilated when implementing indoor photography ideas and working indoors.

You can leave windows and doors open at home and at work. Increase airflow by placing fans near open windows.

Air conditioners can be useful, but they must be properly installed. It is not a good idea to recirculate indoor air. An air conditioner must be configured in such a way that it provides 100 percent fresh air from the outside. The primary method for dispersing viral particles is to improve indoor ventilation with fresh outdoor air.

17. Shoot Tethered

To check the quality of photos, photographers frequently offer clients the opportunity to view photos on the camera during a photoshoot. You risk contracting the virus if you do it now. As a result, shooting tethered will be a great idea when working with COVID 19 images.

When you connect your camera to a computer, the images will appear on the computer’s screen. This way, you can show them to your clients and discuss them if necessary. It will guarantee that your customer is completely satisfied with the outcome.

The best part is that you won’t have to communicate with each other while viewing and discussing photos.

18. Offer Sanitizing Stations

Because all visitors must wear masks, gloves, and sanitizers, you should provide them with everything they may require to stay safe. Set up stations with hand sanitizers, wipes, gloves, masks, and other supplies. Make sure there is soap and disposable towels available as well.

19. Limit the Number of People Present

A great photoshoot necessitates the collaboration of a team of professionals. Until further notice from the CDC and other health organizations, the maximum number of participants in a photoshoot should be 10 or fewer. That is why you should keep the number of people present at the shooting to a minimum.

You can, for example, do it without the assistance of a stylist. You will, however, need to find ways to style your shoot or contact a stylist for recommendations.

It is a good idea to prepare for the shoot ahead of time. For example, you could invite your crew to arrive early to set up lighting. Of course, this takes much longer than usual, but given the circumstances, it’s acceptable.

20. Take Post-Shoot Safety Measures

Set a protocol for the next session if studio photography is your main source of income.

Assume you did a Christmas photo shoot. Sanitize Christmas photo props and wipe down all surfaces.

Remember to clean door handles, payment terminals, hard seating areas, and so on after each photoshoot. Such actions will reduce the likelihood of the virus spreading.

Note: If you want to make some adjustments to the photo just let me know. I can do it for you at a very low cost. You can hire me to edit your photo.

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Alaina