MMXX Quarantine - A Post for Posterity
Like the Title of this Blog post suggests - this one blip of writing is just to put it out into the universe - an acknowledgement of MY story or truth of the whole COVID-19 epidemic. I have mixed emotions as I’m sure most people do. There’s the handful of people who are embracing the change confidently taking advantage of these Stay At Home mandates and filling their days with positive activities and there are others who are using those same days to mourn, to grieve as families lose loved ones, others searching for their next meal or paycheck. And then there’s me which is caught in the middle.
I haven’t really lost my job and thankfully I haven’t lost anyone. But I have lost a sense of direction this craziness. My freelance photography job was already waning before the Quarantine was set in place but I had not really put my foot down to commit to something else or even re-adjust my gears to find a new outlet in photography. I was ready to take some much needed time - a hiatus was mentally in the back of my mind. My thoughts often coming back to the idea brewing of spending time in another country. But I never made concrete plans. As the months before March madness began, I was still on the fence. The work was steady and the money was good. How could I walk away right now?
Of course then, as each country one by one like dominoes began to close their doors, I too slammed on the brakes. Stop going to yoga. Stop going to coffee shops. Stop going to the library. Stop meeting clients for lunch. It just stopped.
And like all pandemics (I asssume) there isn’t really a “chance” to prepare for it in any capacity. My days were mindless and happy. Naive as I embraced quality time with my husband who works from home, more hours to meditate, and more time to lull around like a cat on a warm afternoon in the front of a window.
March 2020 My home studio - cleaned up for the first time with no camera equipment because there was no work.
So what does “Work” look like now? Well readers, I am still a photographer by name, by trade. I don’t really have to shut down my business because I work from home but the emails have stopped. The calls have gone silent. No one really wants to spend money on photography right now. But I would beg to differ.
A few weeks ago I sent a mass email to all my clients explaining that I too had to re-assess what business looked like for myself and the people I worked with. I re-iterated with my clients that yes I am still taking on projects. (YES PLEASE HIRE ME). But all work would have to be shipped to my home studio. I also went on to explain that the value of product photography is so important as we switch EVERYTHING to a digital space commercially. We rely on product imagery to tell us so many things about a product before we even have it in our hands. If your photograph online does not give you that information, then feel free to hire me - I can change that for you. Shameless shameless plug. But we are all in some ways asking for a space to plug in our needs to make ends meet. I’m not starving and I’m not financially hurting but I am desperate to find purpose again.
I am certainly not complaining either. Quarantine is a perfect opportunity for me to see how I can adapt. Or if I even choose to at all. I’m working towards it. I’m still manifesting a sense of hope and positivity for myself, my community, and my environment.
But manifestation requires action.
So here’s the Action in motion folks : I will be looking to finish out the year as a photographer. No matter what the income numbers reflect, I want to maintain a high standard of quality work and walk away with a good rapport amongst colleagues and clients. I will be seeking to pull in a few more new clients and working to sustain the good and wonderful people who’ve carried me these last four years. My goal is to work with more eco-conscious, environment friendly businesses that mirror my thoughts and opinions about global impact and to always support small business. I am grateful. I am here. I am ready.