A FAMILY photographer, who started taking photos during lockdown, has used her skills to raise almost £2,000 for charity.
Hayley Carter, from Bebington, began by taking professional snaps of families on their doorsteps around her local area whilst she was out for her daily exercise walk.
She would then provide would-be subjects with her images in exchange for a donation to NHS Charities Together - which supports NHS staff, volunteers and patients impacted by the COVID-19 crisis - but demand for her services soon snowballed.
Hayley told the Globe: "At first I thought I would take photos around the block whilst on my daily walk and perhaps raise around £100 for NHS Charities.
"The next thing I knew, I had families contacting me from all across the Wirral asking for front door lockdown photos; capturing their lives in lockdown and now I have raised almost £2,000 to date, with more bookings coming in.
"It is such a lovely experience, as I get to meet people from a safe distance and capture a moment in time that we have not experienced before.
"I often hear “I got to dress up today!” or “Your the only person we’ve had to chat to in a long time!” Everyone is so welcoming and happy, we usually have a quick talk and most people are keen to ask about me and how I am finding lockdown."
Hayley has only advertised her service through her Facebook page Hayler Carter Photography at the beginning of lockdown, receiving enquiries each day. Families who receive images then make a donation through her Just Giving page.
She added: "The images are a mixture of capturing life in lockdown; some are of families enjoying a drink whilst the kids play, or completing work on their laptops in their front garden or sat sunbathing with their dog.
"Whilst others are willing to dress up as it’s something different and smile for the camera. I’ve had key workers, families, couples, dogs, newborn babies, expectant mothers and even guinea pigs to photograph!
"I’ve visited over 200 houses now and even though I’ve been helping others through this project, I feel it has helped me as it has given me hope; seeing others experience something I’m experiencing and it’s given me others to talk to when I couldn’t see my own family.
"This project is something I’ll never forget."
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