Doorstep photography in Sheffield helping to bring communities together amidst coronavirus

A Sheffield photographer has been bringing communities across the city together by documenting how families are coping with the coronavirus lockdown.
By Lizzie Day
Published 30th Apr 2020, 15:06 BST
Updated 1st May 2020, 08:04 BST
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Danielle Richardson, 40, from Dore is photographing people in Sheffield on their doorstep in order to document how the city is battling the pandemic.

She decided to get involved with the Instagram trend of shooting people from a socially safe distance when her bookings were cancelled as a result of Covid-19.

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The 40-year-old photographer said the project has helped bring people and professionals in the industry together.

Danielle pictured with her husband, Luke and their two children, Vincent and Scarlett.Danielle pictured with her husband, Luke and their two children, Vincent and Scarlett.
Danielle pictured with her husband, Luke and their two children, Vincent and Scarlett.

"It's been really lovely, all the photographers are working together and trying to do something to document it in some way.

"Some of them are trying to do it because they need to earn a living.

“Everybody's just trying to do something other than talk about the obvious.

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"I think as well it's quite prevalent that people should just let people do what they want to do - there shouldn't be any competition or 'it was my idea'.”

Danielle captured this picture of mum, Anna and her family in Dore.Danielle captured this picture of mum, Anna and her family in Dore.
Danielle captured this picture of mum, Anna and her family in Dore.

Danielle, who has been shooting in a ‘documentary’ style for the last five years, was motivated to put her creativity to good use with her new found spare time.

"I was feeling a bit sorry for myself in a creative way, 'oh my god, I've got nothing to do with my brain' then I've got two young children.

"After about a couple of weeks of home schooling, I was like I need to desperately need to do something else.”

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The mother-of-two explained how the project is helping people stay connected during lockdown.

"It's really lovely when people come to the door, they're really pleased to see you.

"It's nice for them and me to just have a conversation with another adult, face to face even though you're sort of socially distanced, because you can't meet up with your mates and nobody talks to anybody in the supermarket because you're petrified walking around.

"It's a bit of relief for everybody to just stand, I have a fifteen minute conversation with some parents because you find you get on and it's lovely.

"It's just something to break the monotony of lockdown really and the response has been really good.”

Related topics:SheffieldCovid-19Instagram