Documenting Local Families During Lockdown

The Doorstep Project began during lockdown, first in America, and then here in the UK. I have to admit, at first I was a bit hesitant to start – after all, we were all juggling this sudden “new normal,” a complete shift in our routines. All of a sudden we were working from home, locked in a house with the children 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with no outlets, except for that one tiny walk a day, we were home schooling, and trying to still carry on with everyday chores, whilst missing our family – who we couldn’t visit, even if they were only a mile away. For others, it was a time of loneliness, with no contact with the outside world, and those routines and activities which filled that empty space. And even more people were at risk of losing their jobs, and worried about what this would do to their families and their homes. So, who was I to start photographing people during this time of struggle?

But the more I kept documenting my own family during the lockdown, the more I realized what a unique moment we were living in history – so I took the plunge, and did a test portrait with myself and the kids to see how it could be done safely. When I felt sure it could be, I shared I was beginning to offer these special family portraits – in return all I asked was a donation for the NHS.

After some initial silence, it all began to unfold, and I received a number of requests, it was beautiful – seeing the others in the area, their bonds, the closeness, the silliness, cuddles and runaway pets.

It was wonderful chatting with others and seeing how they have coped with the lockdown  and the slower pace of life.

It has been one of the most soul-fulfilling projects I have undertaken, and I am so happy to be able to use my skills and my craft to give something back to the carers who look after all of us – not just in Covid times, but every day.

So THANK YOU. Thank you to those who participated and donated, and to the NHS and all the key workers who work so hard to keep us safe, and keep things going, even when we don’t realise it.

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I originally wrote this article for publication in The Limespring Hundred – a local magazine. It was exciting and scary to submit this, but I am so happy I did!