Behind the Scenes: School Portraits

Wow, 2020 was a crazy year. But in the midst of it all, we booked some new schools and created a safe photography experience for students and staff. We want to share what picture day looks like for high school seniors!

1. Covid Screening

Students arrive at their scheduled appointment time (we provide an online signup to adhere to social distancing and keep everyone organized). First thing, students get temperature checked and covid screened by school faculty. Students are instructed to wear masks at all times (except while having their photos taken) and stay six feet apart (we tape down distancing stickers at every station).

2. Get Dressed

Seniors head to the dressing station. We help them put on drapes or tuxes that we provide.

3. Formal Photos

Time for formal photos! Each student takes four poses. They will later get to choose which one they would like in the yearbook.

4. Sanitize

While the seniors are changing into their casual outfit, we are busy disinfecting and sanitizing.

5. Inside Casuals

Seniors have various photos taken in front of the lockers and in the stairwell.

6. Last Ones!

Finally, seniors take a few photos outside. We like to provide them with lots of options to order in their online gallery!

Picture Day Complete!

It may seem like a lot, but the process moves quickly! Each senior spends about 5 minutes with us, and they’re free to go! A few days following picture day we email unique links for their personal online galleries where they can view and order their photos. Super easy. Super Safe.

Coronavirus Covid-19 Photography Procedures

CK Visuals understands and acknowledges the current challenges our world is facing. Therefore, we felt it necessary to share relevant updated information about our company policies and procedures regarding our work.

As we return to work in the [midst/wake] of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, CK Visuals wants to assure our customers of our continued commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and that we are taking additional measures to protect our customers and staff from the spread of COVID-19.

Adherence to State and Local guidelines

Above all, we at CK Visuals believe in being good community citizens. We will continue to follow and adhere to guidance from the state of North Carolina or the state where the session takes place to provide a safe environment for our customers, subjects, staff and contractors.  

Personal Protective Equipment

We will make use of masks or face coverings while working with customers and subjects. We will continue this measure until new guidance is made available.

Employees & Guidelines

CK Visuals will conduct daily health screenings of our staff and contractors. Any members of our staff or contractors who are sick will stay home. CK Visuals is providing training and educational materials available through the Centers for Disease Control website on proper sanitation, hand washing, cough and sneeze etiquette, use of PPE, and other protective behaviors. 

Social distancing / No touch

Our photographers and assistants will maintain social distance, using no-touch posing methods when at all possible. Only one client (family) should be staged in the immediate photography area. In situations where acceptable we will use signage to maintain six feet of distance to adhere to social distance guidelines. 

Studio Appointments

We will photograph subjects by appointment only in our studio. We will utilize strict scheduling times, allowing sufficient time to sanitize common areas after each client session. Only one client (and family) will be allowed in our studio facilities at any given time.

Adherence to sanitation protocols

Standard sanitation protocols prior to each client should include but not be limited to:

• Washing hands regularly before and after photographic sessions.

• Sanitation of photographic equipment and electronic equipment, with which a client may come into contact.

• Sanitation of restroom/dressing facilities in studio.

• Sanitation of common areas, including door knobs (interior and exterior), counter tops in studio.

• Removal of unnecessary paper products.

* Updated Sept 29, 2020.

Family Sessions at St. Vincent de Paul

Because of Covid-19, we missed out on photographing all of our preschoolers this spring. When reaching out to our directors, one said that their families really wanted a picture day, so we decided to have a family portrait day. The parents received an email to sign up for a time slot to have their photos taken. We wore masks and complied with social distancing. All of the families were so nice, and it was great to be photographing people again! It went very well! So well, we’ve decided to reach out to all of our families and offer them a free family portrait session too. We’re setting up at three different locations in and around the Charlotte area this week. So excited to capture more memories!

Tristan Walsh - High School Senior

I have known Tristan for several years now, and wow, am I proud of him for what he’s accomplished. This year he is graduating from Crossroads Early College High School AND from Mitchell Community College with an Associate’s Degree. In the fall, he will be attending UNC Greensboro to study dance. He hopes to move to New York one day to pursue a career in performing arts. I have seen many of his dance performances, and honestly, he’s really good! For these photos, he wanted to venture around Downtown Statesville and around the campus of Mitchell. We agreed on four outfits: casual, cap and gown, button up with tie, and dance attire. The dance photos were the most fun. We put on music and he did his thing. How lucky am I, I got a private performance! I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors. Thank you for allowing me to capture the end of this chapter in your book!

Zaria Gray - High School Senior

What a QUEEN! This was my first time photographing Zaria, and she could seriously be a model. This beautiful young lady went to the same early college high school as me (I graduated eight years ago, but we’re not going to talk about how old I’m getting), and she’s a great friend to my sister. She will be graduating with eight cords, one metal, Cum Laude, and an Associate’s Degree in Fine Art. What a rockstar! In the fall, she will be attending Appalachian State to study computer science. Her sweet and fun personality made this session a memorable one. It may have been hot, but we had the best time! Hopefully I will be photographing her again when she graduates college!

Coronavirus Covid-19 - How to Protect Yourself & Others

We have compiled the information below from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website. 

Know how it spreads

• There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

• The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.

• The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).

• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.

• These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

• Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.

Everyone Should Wash your hands often

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick, even inside your home. If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members.

• Put distance between yourself and other people outside of your home.

• Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread the virus.

• Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people.

• Do not gather in groups.

• Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings.

• Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others

• You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.

• Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.

• Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.

• The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.

• Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker.

• Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.

Cover coughs and sneezes

• If you are in a private setting and do not have on your cloth face covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.

• Throw used tissues in the trash.

• Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Clean and disinfect

• Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

• If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

• Then, use a household disinfectant. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work.

Monitor Your Health

• Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.

• Especially important if you are running essential errands, going into the office or workplace, and in settings where it may be difficult to keep a physical distance of 6 feet.

• Take your temperature if symptoms develop.

• Don’t take your temperature within 30 minutes of exercising or after taking medications that could lower your temperature, like acetaminophen.

Watch for symptoms

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Cough

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Fever

• Chills

• Muscle pain

• Sore throat

• New loss of taste or smell

This list is not all possible symptoms. Other less common symptoms have been reported, including gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

When to Seek Emergency Medical Attention

Look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately.

• Trouble breathing

• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest

• New confusion

• Inability to wake or stay awake

• Bluish lips or face

This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.