We love talking to our members about what they do and how they’ve overcome challenges in business. Plus, we also like to find out why they love North Tyneside as a place to do business. We’ve been chatting to Captured Forever by Tina Stobbs.
Tell us a little more about the business
I am a specialist newborn, baby and family photographer. I offer a mobile service option for my newborn clients, milestone shoots for babies, and seasonal shoots for families.
What challenges has the business overcome to become covid-secure?
Social distancing has been the major hurdle in particular for newborn and babies due to the close contact that you have to work in. For families, when restrictions allow, my super long lens will come into its own and it is physically impossible for me to get within 2 meters.
This has been proven though my social history project to capture lockdown via Doorstep Diaries. It has been such a privilege to meet so many families is such different situations, within the 1.5 mile boundary of my home, and within my 1 hour daily exercise.
How has the business adapted the operation / workplace?
I have had to completely rethink how I go forward, in all honestly I think it will be a good few months before I will be able to photograph newborns again. Babies milestones could be sooner, but I might need to be creative as I usually set up a studio environment, which with face masks would not really work! Families however could be just fine in June, there are a lot of reunions with grandparents that need capturing – photos have proven to become so important in these last few weeks for reasons good and sad.
How has North Tyneside Business Forum helped your business?
In particular the support for the small business grant for me. Just how they have managed to filter and decipher the Govt information into understandable chunks. Normally not an issue but when your mind is swirling because business has stopped overnight and you aren’t sure when the next pennies are coming from – they have been a reassuring real calm in the storm.
One thing that makes your business different from the rest
Well apparently having asked as I’m rubbish at this stuff – it’s me and the experience not just the photos. Which actually I can live with, as I never want anyone looking at a photo with a negative thought about how horrible the shoot was, it should be about enjoying what they see in that photo.
Captured Forever by Tina Stobbs
- Facebook.com/capturedforeverbyts
- Twitter.com/capforeverbyts
- Instagram.com/Tina_capturedforever