This is a strange day and age for us all and I need to express myself as it's making me a little insane. Essential workers are the ONLY people who are supposed to be risking exposure to this virus. These are the front line workers who MUST go into work and brave this virus to ensure we all have what we need to survive.

Now, I'm sure some of you are reading this and are saying "well duh Suzanne, we know who is essential and who needs to stay home!"

But do you really? I have seen in the past week a flood of photographers, local and country wide that seem to think taking photographs from a distance enough is considered essential. Weather or not they are at a distance isn't the point.

IF YOU ARE NOT ESSENTIAL YOU KEEP YOUR BUTT HOME LIKE THE REST OF US!

Sure, it feels good to make people smile and continue to capture those photos from afar. But what's worrisome is that these "clients" paying or donating or free and these photographers aren't getting is that this virus is NOVEL.

NOVEL = NEW

This means that we are basically a science experiment right now and we don't really know 100% how it spreads. We know that touch and close proximity is key but every single day things have changed. The 6ft social distancing is a GUIDELINE not the word of the Lord. You are being told to stay home and IF you MUST go out for food, supplies, or medical attention then it is recommended to stay 6+ feet away from others.

NEW information was reported on April 2, 2020 where they are suggesting that it CAN travel in the air for a distance from talking and or breathing. THIS IS WHY YOU NEED TO STOP PHOTOGRAPHING PEOPLE. THIS IS WHY WE ALL NEED TO STAY HOME!

The rest of the photography community is just as sad, upset, and struggling not working too. BUT, we are doing what we are asked to do for the greater good of the people. Not to get our few moments of fame because we are the only ones shooting and posting. This is NOT ok. We are NOT ok. PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY PLEASE STOP BOOKING AND SHOOTING THE FRONT PORCH SESSIONS!

My clients, friends, family, fellow photographers, and people in general's health is the most important to me. Please stop risking lives for a snapshot on the front porch that will likely just be shared on facebook and not hung in the home. No one is printing this in an 8x10 and framing it. I PROMISE. Wait to capture these images until we have all made it to the other side of this mess. USE YOUR PHONE.

IF you would like to have your photos done, I suggest using the self timer options that comes on most phones and set it up and take a few photos safely.

Respect the front line workers who are risking their lives and their families lives to go into work and make sure you are safe and cared for. Please I beg you to stay home, hunker down, clean out that closet, take that nap, binge watch your shows, bake those cookies, read with your kids, snap the photos with your phone and just enjoy this slow down.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all those essential employees & families working right now in hospitals, patrolling the streets, stocking the shelves, driving the trucks, delivering the packages and food, and all those who are needed to keep our country fed and healthy. If you aren't in that category sit your ass on the couch and enjoy this time off. PLEASE!