Photography assignments during a pandemic

Since mid March all my photography assignments and commissions have dealt with the pandemic in one way or another.  Gigs were non-existent over the first several months of the pandemic as everyone tried to figure it all out.  But soon after, jobs began to trickle in. 

Some clients wanted (or needed) to lean into the pandemic, using its visual cues as story, design and compositional elements.  Those jobs tended to be editorial assignments telling the story of the times.  

There were also commissions I shot where I had to make everything (and everyone) look normal, while following strict pandemic safety protocols behind the scenes.  

Surprisingly, most BioTech went dormant, unless they had a direct connection to Covid-19.  Labs were being shuttered, thankfully only temporarily. 

For me, it’s been an interesting year.  Assignments have been challenging, but equally rewarding.   

Here are a few of those Covid related projects I’ve worked on over the last several months.  

---

Larry and his wife Cherie tested positive for Covid-19 early in the pandemic. They made a full recovery though still suffered some lingering symptoms. We photographed the couple in (from outside) their home for Scripps Health.

---

One of the first assignments I shot coming out of the lockdown was an editorial portrait of Michael Mohr, Mohr Financial Group, for CityWire out of the UK. Michael tested positive for Covid-19 at the end of March. I shot this by myself, without crew, at a time when we were still uncertain about transmission. This “socially distanced” portrait, shot in early May, acknowledged the worldwide uncertainty and angst prevalent at that time.

---

Local client Anderson Plumbing Heating & Air needed to reassure their clients that they were still open for business and taking all precautions to keep both their clients and their employees safe given the new normal.

---

Industrial Portraits

One of the benefits of being a commercial photographer is the access it affords.  I don’t mean political or celebrity, rather access to situations most people never want to venture into.  For me, that means access to industrial work spaces.  Blue collar work is endlessly fascinating to me.  I find it so true and honest.  I’ve always loved seeing (and photographing) how things are built and repaired.  I especially love meeting (and photographing) the people that do that work.  Industrial workplaces are exciting.  They tend to be be very loud and often dirty, at least while the work is being done.  I’ve photographed lots of industrial workers over the years.  Some of my favorites are in the aviation and maritime industries.  I guess you could say anything to do with transportation is pretty exciting. As a commercial photographer I am usually commissioned to document the work that’s being done - show the process.  This involves photographing people using a fly on the wall approach.  I am there, but unseen. Pete Souza used this approach to great success while shooting the Reagan and Obama White Houses.  Totally different subject I know, but the same approach. The idea being the subject is so comfortable with you being there they go about their business as though you aren’t there.  They get to the point where they don’t even notice you.  That is my goal when documenting blue collar work.  

Then there are the portraits.  Inevitably there are workers and spaces that visually demand to be photographed as a portrait. This is not Fly on the Wall stuff.  Their unique look, or their particular environment, sometimes both, beckon for a traditional portrait. I always seem to come away from these projects with strong portraits.  I’ve built a trust at this point. My goal as a portrait photographer is to present these workers as heroic, as I see them, in the environment that I have so much respect for.  

Homebound

2020 is the year of patience and adjustments.  The pandemic has forced us all online. Like Google, Zoom has become a verb.  Work from home and remote learning are the new norms.  My hat’s off to all those with grade school children.  I can’t imagine taking on the teacher role on top of everything else.  My boys are both college aged. They are completely self sufficient when it comes to school and work.

Below are a few images of how we’ve worked and schooled from home.

Visit the Homebound gallery HERE for additional images available for stock use and license.

 Homebound is a collection of photos created during the California lockdown at home with my tribe - All images quarantine approved.

Be safe out there!