A musician is hoping to bring in some income by turning to photography while waiting for government aid.
Melanie Pitre – a full-time musician, DJ and gig worker in Saint John – said because of COVID-19, all 26 of her gigs in the next 40 days have been cancelled.
A friend knew Pitre and her family would have no income or security for at least a month, or until they receive government aid, so she sent Pitre a project idea of photographing families on their front steps, and it took off from there.
“She goes, ‘you have to start that around here, you have to spread this around here. People are looking for something to do, they’re looking for something fun,’” Pitre said.
She has experience as a photographer and decided she would put the call out and see who was interested since it was something that could be done with social distancing rules in effect.
“I’m going to be close enough, usually 10 to 12 feet is where I like to shoot, and most of the people are going to be in groups anyway, four or five, so I think it’s going to be a perfect setup for this kind of shot,” said Pitre.
She said this project is a way to be creative, and a way to document how people are appreciating family time and basic necessities.
“I’m going to go house to house for the people who book me. I’m not putting a price on the session because it’s basically a donation to help me and my family,” Pitre said.
She said she thinks despite the circumstances, we have to appreciate having family, food, shelter, and she wants to immortalize that idea.
Pitre is offering these services to the Saint John and Kennebecasis Valley area. Those interested can contact her on her Facebook page, The Image Factory.
