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Photographer Vanessa Laval-Glad captures COVID-19 lockdown for charity

If you have attended one of our BA5 events recently, chances are you’ve met the smiling face behind a camera lens, Vanessa Laval-Glad.

Vanessa is a Tauranga photographer (under her business name Laval Photo & Video) who has done hundreds of commercial and corporate photos (including possibly yours at one of our events).

During lockdown and Level 3, Vanessa has been shooting portraits of a different kind as part of the #TheFrontStepsProject.

An international project to raise money for charity and unify the community during these tough times, the project involves local photographers taking snaps of families standing, as the title suggests, by their front doorstep (to abide with social distancing).

Heading into Level 2, Vanessa is changing focus to ‘Front Steps for Business’, where she will be photographing businesses in front of their premises or signage in an effort to promote local businesses.

We caught up with Vanessa for a quick Q&A between shoots (which she gets to via two wheels!)

Tell me a bit about the Front Steps Project – what is it and why did you want to be involved?

It is a project that was started by a photographer in Massachusetts (Cara Soulio Photography). I thought it a great way to connect with people during this very strange time, giving them something to brighten their day and supporting Homes of Hope through it.

How did you find all the families for this project? Were they people you knew and / or people that got in touch?

I posted it on the local Welcome Bay Noticeboard group and word has just spread from there.

What is the process of getting the photo?

People usually get in touch with me via my Facebook page (Laval Photo & Video) and I schedule them in when I’m in that area next. It is a very quick 5 minute shoot in front of their home, keeping a safe distance from them. They receive one photo in return for a donation to Homes of Hope.

What are some of the highlights of this project? 

It has been such a blessing to me. It has given me the excuse to get out on my bike or a walk every day. Families have loved that they get an excuse to dress up. But most of all knowing that we have made a difference for Homes of Hope has been absolutely incredible.

Four other photographers in Auckland and other Tauranga areas have also joined in supporting Homes of Hope – something which I was not expecting.

What are some of the challenges?

To be honest – no challenges! There has just been so much good that has come of it.

Why did you choose Homes of Hope as your charity and how much have you raised?

I have had the privilege of working with Homes of Hope in the last few years and seeing first hand the difference they make in the lives of children in their care.

I am in awe of what they do and am just so happy to be spreading the word about them! Together with Sandri Blom (Bethlehem), Kelly O’Hara (Papamoa), Diana Sanders (Glendowie, Auckland) and Justa Bain (St Helliers, Auckland)  we have raised almost $6000 (and counting)!

Has this project given you ideas for future photography projects? Will you continue this after Level 3 in some form?

After being focused on corporate and commercial work over the last few years, I have definitely enjoyed photographing families again over this time and will most likely include that in my services from now on.

I have spoken to the other photographers about possibly doing something like this for a week a year in some form in the future.

Anything else you would like to add?

I’d just like to thank the families that have supported Homes of Hope – an incredibly worthy cause.

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