Alison bids to put historic times in the picture for a good cause

For some, the Covid-19 lockdown might be the worst thing to ever happen, where - at best - your social life may have been abruptly curtailed. For many others the reality is far worse, including financial hardship, or the loss of a friend, family member or loved one.

So why, with that in mind, would you want to document such a difficult period in history? It is for that reason in particular that Inverness photographer Alison White has decided to work on her own 'Front Steps Project'

Boston snapper Cara Soulia started the idea, by marking this moment in time by taking pictures around her community of the people living through lockdown. With the donations from those people she's taken pictures of Cara's raised thousands of dollars.

Now Alison wants to do the same for MFR Cash For Kids.

"I like being out-and-about, doing different things and being in the house more often has been difficult. That said, I am now starting to appreciate time with my toddler more often"

Much of Alison's work is obviously on-hold, given corporate or social gatherings - and of course weddings - are firmly on the back-burner for now.

"It is definitely worth having a photo to commemorate the experience. It is a period in history"

Alison said there'll never be a time when she will breach the current lockdown measures, as her long lens prevents any contact which may be against social distancing measures.

"There'll be no contact with people, I don't need to touch them, or any part of their house. Everything will have been done beforehand online. Most people are contacting me through my website and the conversation's also been through text, WhatsApp, other messages - up until the point I usually text and say - hey, that's me outside now"

With little opportunity to get dressed up these days, Alison also says her 'Front Steps Project' makes it a great excuse for getting the glad-rags on.

"If you're the person walking round Merkinch in a dinosaur suit and you want a photo of that, then by all means, get in touch. If you want to be in stilettos or in a leotard... whatever!... then that's fine. My picture we're just in jeans in T-shirt, so whatever you feel comfortable in is fine"

All that Alison is looking for in exchange for these doorstep portraits is a small donation with a number of people struggling financially since the Covid-19 pandemic hit home.

"For a lot of people it's really difficult to get by when suddenly your cashflow is gone or cut substantially. The original 'Front Steps Project' was all about raising money for their community and get some smiles from people despite all this"

"I've followed MFR Cash For Kids for a while, I've donated at Christmas and know what an amazing job they do. It was also choosing a charity where I know the money is not just going to individuals but a number of community groups and school throughout the area. I know that they'll get the money to where it needs to so those people can do what they need to do"

To get in touch about Alison's 'Front Steps Project' in Inverness, go to her website - here.

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