Step outside your front door, breathe in the fresh air and say “cheese.”
Local photographer Linda Bui is going to make her rounds to capture Orillians on camera during the COVID-19 pandemic. The owner of LaustinTiime Photography will take part in the Front Step Project, starting April 4.
Photographers have been doing the same in other communities, and when Bui saw a Facebook post from Morgan Bress, who has been taking photos of people in Lindsay, she wanted to do something similar in Orillia.
“With the pandemic going on, I haven’t been able to work. I’m used to capturing moments pretty much every day of the week,” Bui said.
It’s about more than providing somewhat of a sense of normalcy for her, though. She is using the Front Step Project as a way to support a local organization.
Bui is asking everyone who books a session to make a financial donation to The Sharing Place Food Centre and send her confirmation of the donation.
“I understand it’s a difficult time for them right now, so I wanted to do something to help them,” she said. “Every little bit helps.”
During the photo shoot, Bui will stay at least 10 feet away. While there will be no physical interaction, “I do smile and laugh with you,” she said. “and don’t we all need a little bit of that right now?”
To book a session, send a private message to Bui on the LaustinTiime Photography Facebook page. All photos will be posted to that page.
Bui said she plans to take the photos “as long as people are still donating” to The Sharing Place.
