Coronavirus & PHotography
Updated 20th March 2020
Newborn & Family Photography (In the studio)
During this time of uncertainty, the health and wellbeing of everyone is our number one concern. If you are considering capturing your newborn or family in our studio during the coming weeks and months, the below information will be of interest to you.
What we are doing to protect everyone’s health and wellbeing in the studio.
We’ve always kept a clean and hygienic studio as we consider this a very important priority in our business, and in addition to all the precautions we would normally take, we are also adopting the below additional measures to protect all of us from becoming unwell.
We are leaving extra time in between sessions to thoroughly clean and sanitise the studio, and to limit contact between visiting families. A cleaning checklist of all high touch points (e.g. door handles, light switches, cupboards, cameras, light switches, computer keyboards/mice, etc.) has been developed and is strictly followed. Low touch points/areas are cleaned daily.
We have set up 4 hand sanitising stations around the studio to prompt everyone to sanitise frequently, as well as posting hand washing instruction cards at our basins/sinks.
Between sessions we are sanitising all props, and replacing all wraps/blankets and towels, which are then processed with a hot wash and high temp dry cycle, or completely dried in direct sunlight.
We are all working deliberately on our efforts to keep fit, healthy and well, practising social distancing wherever possible, along with regular hand washing and sanitising.
We have arranged for our other team members (Ben & Michael) to work from home where possible to reduce contact between people and spaces.
What we ask you to do.
When you arrive at the studio, I will greet you and point out the hand sanitising points around the studio and ask if everyone would please wash your hands before we get started. Feel welcome to wash your hands again at any stage, or use the hand sanitiser provided.
Please leave all extra personal items in your car like prams, jackets/coats, extra bags and handbags.
If you or any of your family members are feeling unwell, please contact me to reschedule your session by email mel@melhillphotography.com or phone 0422 285 313.
Family Photography (Outdoors)
A family session in the great outdoors is a great alternative to a studio session and allows your family to have some fun together in the fresh air. In the coming weeks we are planning to release special Autumn sessions. Keep an eye out for these, as we can all get some much welcomed sun and fresh air while practicing lots of social distancing.
Wedding Photography
Firstly, we just want to say we’re so sorry that this is weighing on your thoughts, it's not at all pleasant, and we’re certain it’s not what you had in mind when you became engaged and set out to plan your wedding. We’ve been contacted by multiple couples recently who’ve posed a few questions - here are the main ones (more will be added as time goes on).
What happens if you (our photographers) were to become sick, or need to self-isolate?
We’re working hard to stay healthy, and reduce our exposure to sickness or the need to self-isolate. We’re working from home whenever possible, cleaning and sanitising in between client visits, and getting across all the latest handshake alternatives.
If the worst were to happen and we’d find ourselves sick or required (by law) to isolate ourselves, we’d work urgently to find you another amazing professional from our wonderful, supportive community of local photographers - many of whom are our dearest friends.
What happens if the government changes their policy on organised gatherings?
As of the 20th March, the Australian government has placed limits of organised gatherings (including weddings) of 100 people for indoor gatherings, and 500 people for outdoor gatherings. In the case of indoor gatherings of under 100 people, the room must allow 4 square meters of space per person. (e.g. a room of 100 square meters can accommodate 25 people).
Should this advice change and guest numbers be further reduced (e.g. from 100 down to 50) causing impact your wedding day, get in touch to chat about your options:
Some options include:
Reschedule your date to one that is available for us so we can still be there to capture it (no loss of deposit).
Reduce your guest numbers to comply with the limit, so you can still get married on your original date, and start planning a huge f-off party when this all blows over (actually, this is a serious option).
What happens if we’d just like to reschedule to a later date, with more certainty?
We get it! As fellow type-A, perfection-driven, quasi control freaks we hate uncertainty too. We’re offering reschedules with no loss of deposit we just need to find a date that works for us both. Get in touch and we’ll let you know all the available dates we have in your timeframe of interest (we have lots of availability in 2021!)
We’re newly engaged, and looking for a wedding photographer! Are you still accepting bookings? Should it come to it, what are your rescheduling policies?
Congratulations! This is a most wonderful time in your lives and we’re thrilled to be considered to capture it for you! Yes, we’re still taking bookings and at this time we’re still happy to meet with you in person at the studio if this is your strong preference, or we can arrange a meetup over Skype, Facetime or Google Hangouts (we regularly do this for clients who are positioned overseas/interstate and it works a treat!)
If, after you’ve met with us you want to book us in it’s a $600 deposit to reserve your date. Should we need to reschedule this - no problem, just get in touch and we’ll work together to find a new date so we can still be there to capture it for you, with no loss of deposit.
Again, we’re so sorry about this. If you wanted to chat further about any of the options outlined above then get in touch - mel@melhillphotography.com or 0422 285 313. We still want to work with you all, and for this to be a wonderful occasion in your lives.
Mel, Michael & Ben.
The team at Mel Hill Photography.