If you’ve had a studio session with me before, you’ll know I’m always mindful of health and safety in the studio - I put your and your children’s well-being first - I never advocate risky shots and am always thinking about the safety aspects of our sessions together, such as showing you how to “spot” for your baby when they are being photographed on their own.

This mindset of course continues during the current Coronavirus outbreak, and in fact, if you’ve been following me, you’ll know that I implemented a number of additional studio measures quite some weeks before the first UK lockdown was announced.

I’ve been closely following gov.uk announcements and guidelines as well as researching guidance from WHO and recommendations from the photography associations in the UK and even abroad in order to put in place revised photoshoot policies for the safe re-starting of shoots in the studio (and outdoors).

So what will be different now?

Limited studio shoots have been happening in line with the re-opening of non-essential retail outlets, based on government guidance to stay COVID-19 secure, and I can confirm that I have followed the government's 5 step plan and all the relevant retail recommendations possible.

Sessions will be staggered, usually with no more than 1 session happening per day within the studio to enable social distancing between clients, adequate cleaning and airing time, meaning that there is reduced availability for the foreseeable future. For this reason, if you have a time-sensitive session to book, I strongly recommend booking as early as possible.

A number of Christmas mini sessions are taking place within one day. How these sessions happen has changed vs previous years to ensure there is more time between families for cleaning and sanitisation, and the sets chosen, have been selected with reduced contact in mind.

Newborn sessions are available again. As these are close contact sessions, it is impossible to maintain 2ms from your baby, but there are a number of other precautions in place, which we will discuss at the time of your enquiry.

Gallery viewing, design and ordering appointments are held, socially distanced, with a screen between us and with masks on, within the studio.

Please note that the rule of 6 applies to photoshoots. For when Newham is classified as Tier 1, this means up to 6 people can attend their studio shoot (whether in one household or bubble or not). For when Newham is classified as Tier 2, only up to 6 people from one household or bubble can attend their shoot. The Tier 1 / Tier 2 guidance applies to outdoors photoshoots too, depending on location. As I am providing a service I am excluded from the group of 6 and can be the 7th person in attendance. During lockdown 2.0 the studio is closed for all personal photography as the photography studios are classed as non-essential retail. Outdoors photography is only permitted if it is a 1:1 shoot. (For commercial headshots / personal branding etc please visit London Professional Headshots or send me an email. Rules differ for commercial photography).

Finally, please note that as part of the NHS Test and Trace programme, I am legally obliged to hold you contact details for 21 days after our last in person appointment, and to supply these to NHS Test and Trace if asked to do so.

For all studio sessions there will be the following new procedures in place:

The policies and procedures below are being updated regularly, to reflect the latest guidance. Please check back for updates.

1. Please stay vigilant. If you are showing Coronavirus symptoms, or if you or any of your household, or “social bubble” are self-isolating, you should stay at home and let me know by 7am on the day of your session. If you have travelled abroad in the 14 days leading up to your session you should let me know and we will reschedule your session, in line with current government guidance on travel coridoors. This is critical to staying safe and protecting the NHS. 

2. I will take your temperature on arrival at your session, and if you or any member of the party are displaying Coronavirus symptoms (as specified by WHO, not limited to the UK government definition, including a temperature of over 37.8 deg C), we will need reschedule your session immediately.

   In the case of termination after 7am on the day of the appointment, no refund will be available, but I am extending my standard Terms & Conditions to offer you your first rescheduled session at a 50% discount, as a goodwill gesture and I have improved my rescheduling policy so you can now reschedule your session once, up until 7am on the morning of your session date with no fee payable. (See contract for details). (Similarly, if I am ill, we will rescheduled your appointment to the next mutually convenient date).

3. Arrive ready for your appointment (no need to feed children, get changed, use the toilets) in order to minimise contact with common areas of the studio building, minimise movement with the building, and minimise the time spent together.

4. Please change into your outfit for your session, immediately before travelling to the session. Please do not arrive in clothes which you have worn throughout the day or on a previous day. Although you can get changed in the studio, it would be preferable if you arrive wearing the clothes you wish to be photographed in.

5. There is space for buggies / prams to be parked in the common entrance area of the studio. If you can though, it would be better to leave this at home or in a car.

6. Please bring only the essentials you will need for your session. This may include items such as nappies, wipes, nappy sacks, a change mat, bottle of water / milk for child(ren). The types of items which should not be brought: any toys which are not being photographed, additional food items / snacks, changes of clothes, shoes, jewellery, watches which are not being worn in the session etc. Unfortunately I won’t be able to help with carrying bags (or children). If you bring any props from home, please ensure that these are cleaned beforehand.

7. Please don’t bring non-essential food to your session. Please try to time your session around your children’s meal (and nap) times so that they do not need to eat during the session. I understand that children, particularly young babies may need a drink during the session and breast or bottle feeding milk to babies is welcome as usual. For other drinks please bring only essentials using a spill-proof cups/bottles if possible.

8. Refreshments & the sweetie jar will unfortunately no longer be available during sessions for the time being.

9. Please leave phones in bags / pockets and do not remove them or use them during the session. They are germ hotspots!

10. In line with government guidelines, we will maintain a safe social distance between us from arrival, throughout your session, as much as we can, and implement other government recommendations for when the recommended distance cannot be maintained such as use of a protective screen and being side by side. This means no close meet and greet on arrival, and maintaining a safe distance within the studio using zones marked on the floor. This will give us around 6m distance at best, and a comfortable 2ms distance most of the time.

11. Immediately upon arrival, I will ask everyone (including myself) to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water, before entering the studio itself. If this is difficult with young children and babies, hand sanitiser can be used as an alternative. I recommend you wash your hands on leaving the studio too. I will hold all doors open for you so that you can minimise contact with any surfaces on the way out. Please note that building management have increased the frequency of disinfection and cleaning within the common areas of the building.

12. Hand sanitiser will be available in the studio in multiple locations. Please sanitise your hands after touching your face or any contact with bodily fluids e.g. after sneezing, rubbing eyes etc. 

13. Please avoid touching your face during sessions as much as you can. If you need to sneeze please use a tissue (plenty available in the studio) or at worst, sneeze into your elbow.

14. Kindly wear a face mask from arrival, and during your session when not being photographed. Disposable masks are available should you need one. I wear a face mask or a protective face shield during the session also, for your protection.

15. On arrival at the studio, I will change into clean clothes that have been brought with me before your session starts. This is to minimise any risk of unwittingly transmitting the virus on my clothing. My original clothing will be stored, double bagged, ready for washing.

16. All hard surfaces including but not limited to door handles, table tops, floor, light switches etc will be cleaned as recommended in UK government guidelines using bleach-based or alcohol-based cleansers as appropriate, before all sessions. Surfaces which cannot be cleaned with bleach or alcohol based cleansers will be cleaned using one of steam sterilisation, UV lamp exposure or laundering between sessions.

17. The sofa specifically will be covered with a clean throw for each session. The throw will be cleaned in accordance with government laundering guidelines (double bagging if soiled, usual cleaning products etc), between sessions.

18. Use of props will be limited to those which can be cleaned with bleach, alcohol, steam sterilised, UV light sterilised or laundering. Any props used will be cleaned in one of these ways after each use. Other props will be unavailable for use.

19. If we need to hand anything to each other, like the props, we use designated pick-up and drop-off collection points, rather than passing items hand-to-hand. You will be guided on how to do this during your appointment.
    

It is really important to me, that you, (and I), feel reassured and safe during our session that none of us, nor the NHS are being put at risk by what we are doing. If you have any concerns about the procedures please do get in touch with me. If you wish to see the full detailed Studio Risk Assessment guidelines and procedures please ask me for a copy.

I look forward to seeing you all again soon for your post-lockdown family photos.

Sara x

Some side notes, for those who are interested….
Please note that UV light sterilisation (UVC) is being used but because of the mixed evidence in relation to the efficacy of this method (where not all of surfaces come into contact with the UVC light), it is being used in combination with other methods as appropriate. WHO guidance on use of UVC light is not conclusive. Details of the dangers and disadvantages (as well as advantages) can be readily found on the internet. Items such as headbands and wraps will therefore be laundered or steam cleaned as detailed above so that all surfaces are exposed to cleaning / sterilisation. Certain props and items which cannot be sanitised satisfactorily between sessions will not be provided for use. Protective coverings may be placed on large items that may come into contact with customers, such as the sofa. These protective coverings will be thoroughly washed, cleaned, laundered or disposed of between uses as directed within government guidelines.

In the unlikely event of cleaning required after a suspicion of a person with COVID-19 attending the studio, increased cleaning measures are in place as per specific government guidance including bleach concentrations (PPM) and use of disposable cleaning equipment, and aprons etc.