Photographer's images reflect life in lockdown

July 29 2020
Photographer's images reflect life in lockdown

A photographer has raised more than £400 for the NHS by capturing images reflecting life in lockdown for Battenhall residents.

Catherine Regan took photos of families on their doorsteps across the ward – at appropriate social distances – as they were confined to their homes.

She undertook the project as the wedding and family photographic jobs she normally did were put on hold at the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

Catherine said: “A lot of people wanted to pay me so I set up a justgiving page to help NHS staff and volunteers at this difficult time so that people could donate if they wanted to.”

So far, Catherine’s lockdown portrait shots have made £445 for NHS staff and volunteers.

She explained: “I started the Life in Lockdown project after seeing that some photographers around the country were doing portrait sessions outside people's homes as a way of making some income during this difficult time.

“I decided that I would like to document this time for the people in my local community and take a photograph of them on their doorstep but to get them to tell me their stories of what life has been like for them in return, instead of payment, and that I could be allowed to share their stories for the community to read.”

She added: “I did not expect the response that followed – so many messages from people all wanting to get involved – and I became extremely busy in the space of a few hours.”

She went on: “This project is entirely made by the local people. I have barely directed any of the shots and the outfits people wore, either to illustrate real lockdown life – lots of slippers – to tell a story or to take the opportunity to get a bit dressed up for once instead of being in their pyjamas all day were their own decisions.

“Some were really amazing and I love how everyone has made such an effort and even got all their pets involved too.”

Catherine’s images can be seen at www. catreganphotography.com/The justgiving page for donations is at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cat-regan-photo