Emily Ingalls Photography | Austin and Round Rock Photographer

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Photography Business & the Stay at Home Order

Hello from the house of Stay at Home!

I want to take a minute and explain why I’m not conducting any photo sessions and why I closed my photography business right now. Under State and local County Law, I am under a ‘Stay at Home’ order. This means all non-essential businesses are closed by state and local mandate until the order lifts. Photography is a non-essential business. Any photographer working right now is doing so illegally during this Pandemic. Also, I’m not willing to risk the safety of my clients and my own family during this crisis. I love my family and clientele too much to conduct business illegally for the time being. And I encourage you to do the same. My last photo session was two weeks ago, and I’m not sure when my next photo session will be.

I’m begging you to not encourage any photographer taking clients right now. Don’t do it! We as a community need to come together and flatten the curve of COVID-19. We do not want to see the death tolls rise. We do not want to see our loved ones get sick.

We are not above this virus. Photographers are NOT the exception to a Judge ordered mandate.

I understand I’m taking a hard stance, but I’ve seen how this is effecting people. I have friends who are being directly effected by this virus. I have a brother who is a Doctor in Miami who is very concerned and told me this is not a joke and to stay at home. Please take this seriously for the good of everyone.

And now I will get off my soapbox.

My family is doing our part to help flatten the curve by staying at home. I started schooling at home (I refuse to call it home schooling because that’s not really what I’m doing) last week. Surprisingly, I’ve only had little resistance from my 4 kids, and only on a few days. Honestly, I’m not making them do a lot of work, but just having them reading passages and answering questions, doing math worksheets, and practicing their skills via online activities through their school. So far, so good.

Stay home and stay safe!

Emily