The Front Steps Project in Ridgewood | How we can come together in time of COVID19

UPDATED May 18th: Now that New Jersey is slowly opening up and I received a written confirmation from the Governor’s office that photographers can resume outdoor sessions provided that social distancing is maintained, I am resuming Front Steps Photos. There has been a LOT of interest and 100 Ridgewood families signed up for these sessions! To make sure that I am able to photograph everybody who signed up while maintaining my existing client commitments, I am not able to accept any additional Front Steps applications. Thank you all for your interest and donations!
UPDATED March 22nd: Due to the ‘stay-at-home’ order issued by Governor Murphy on March 21 I have to temporarily suspend this project. Once this restriction is lifted I will dedicate a week to this project – I will commit photograph up to 100 Ridgewood families (provided that my family and I are healthy).

And a HUGE thank you to all you who have already donated – we’ve raised over $900 for Ridgecrest in just under 48 hours!!!!

—————————————————–

There is a line in ‘The Battle of Yorktown’ – a song from Hamilton, that goes ‘the world turned upside down’. This line was written for the battle of 1781 but I feel it is appropriate for 2020. Our new normal looks very different from what it looked liked just a few weeks ago and every day there are new restrictions, new scary headlines. These are the things I cannot change. But there are things I can do so when I heard that Cara Soulia, a photographer from Massachusetts, started the ‘Front Steps Portrait’ project I knew that this was an opportunity for me to use my camera for good and I had to bring this project to Ridgewood.

Starting today, March 21st and for the next couple of weeks, I will be volunteering to take ‘Front Step Portraits’ of Ridgewood residents to benefit the non-profit Ridgecrest Senior Housing. It will be a very quick photo session (think 2-3 minutes) done in front of your house, on your front steps, porch, yard, stoop, etc. I will be taking images from at least 10 feet away so all of us will be social responsible and keeping our distance. After your session I will send you an edited version of your digital image – it’s for your to keep and do as you please – no fees or strings attached.

The only thing I ask in return is that you make a donation to Ridgecrest Senior Housing, which is an independent living community for low income older adults and people with disabilities, right in Ridgewood. $100 donation is suggested but any amount is greatly appreciated. You can make your donation here. When making a payment please include a note that this is a donation for ‘The Front Steps Project’ photo session so that we can keep a tally of how much money we’ve raised.

The ‘Front Steps Portraits’ is not a typical photo session – you don’t need to spend days planning your outfits, do your hair or try to look your absolute best. Just be as you are and who you are NOW – whether it is wearing your activewear or staying in your PJs with a glass of wine. All I want to capture is the love and connection that is YOUR family.

I will be posting these images on Facebook and on Instagram using the hashtag #frontstepsprojectRidgewood. You can follow along here.

And on a personal note, I want to do this project because it will give me a bit of control during the time when so many things are outside of my control. And it makes me feel that I CAN do something good even when times are not great. Being a family photographer right here in Bergen County I had to postpone all my sessions that are scheduled for the next few month and don’t know when my business will start up again. But working on this project will allow me to something that I LOVE to do, which is which is photographing families.

So if you want to participate and have ‘Front Step Portraits’ taken of your family fill out this form here and I will contact you with the details. And if you love the idea but are not interested in having your photos taken, please consider making a donation to support residents of Ridgecrest Senior Housing.

Stay healthy my friends!

XOXO

* Ridgecrest Apartments, also known as Ridgecrest Senior Housing, is owned by Ridgewood Senior Citizens Housing Corporation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations to Ridgewood Senior Citizens Housing Corporation, Inc. are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. Please check with your personal tax adviser regarding the deductibility of your gift. All donations are non-refundable and non-transferable.