The pandemic: a time for re-invention
By now, we’ve all been forced to make major changes to our daily lives due to coronavirus, and it has been no different for BlueHour. We had looked forward to this year with enthusiasm and excitement, as it was the first time we were able to fill so many of our photo tours so quickly. We were eagerly awaiting taking students to places like Ireland, The Azores, Charleston & Savannah, and more. Enter COVID-19, and our hopes were dashed. Like so many others, we were thrust into all kinds of last-minute plan changes, squabbles with airlines and tour companies, etc. etc.
With no hope of resuming our trips this year, and cancelling our spring workshops, we quickly had to re-imagine our business and think about how we could still teach photography and remain relevant. Lucky for us, we had a multitude of digital, educational content that we developed over the years for presenting at camera clubs and in the classroom. With quick thinking, we jumped on the webinar bandwagon, and our students were happy to support our efforts! We released our Beat the Quarantine Blues learning series, where we presented material both new and old. Our students would tell us how much they looked forward to our sessions every other night, and how it kept them motivated and looking forward during ‘lockdown.’ It was just the same for us, and it kept our creative juices flowing. We were even able to create new sessions based on feedback on what our students wanted to learn from us.
The great news about our Quarantine web series is that it was so successful, we are planning to offer it again during the harsh New England winter months. Just because it’s cold and wet outside, doesn’t mean you have to stop learning! We are planning to resume these web classes in November, and keep them running as long as there is demand.
We’re also excited about our new mentorship program. Over the past year, we’ve been running a program for serious photographers or for people who want a focused, “bootcamp-style” learning experience to hone their skills. With COVID, we decided to fashion together a new version, that can be done virtually (you still have to get outside and actually take photos, though!). Though not the same experience, the virtual version is the perfect opportunity for those who can’t meet with us in person, and for those who need more flexibility. You can read about our different mentorship opportunities here.
Paul teaching how to properly use a Telephoto Lens for wildlife shooting
Mentorship student shooting at Scituate Lighthouse
Also, as a result of the mass cancellation of art festivals and large gatherings, both Paul and I have been able to offer up our new 4x4 Jeep Tours. We became permitted by the National Seashore of Cape Cod to run activities within park boundaries, and received our annual off-road permit. This summer (and fall), we have been able to take many groups out to the beach, lighthouse at Race Point, and even the Dune shacks in Provincetown. These areas are often inaccessible to most photographers due to the sand-slogging required, so we’re happy to be able to offer the much preferred alternative: driving there! And as fewer people want to venture to the beach in the fall months, we’ve developed our Autumn on the Kanc workshop, where we handle the driving from shoot to shoot, and show you some of the best of the White Mountains. We also have 3 dates dedicated for more “off the beaten path” and off-road adventuring on our Jeeps & Leaves day tours in central New Hampshire. These experiences are sure to fill fast, so reserve your spot!
Since the roll-out of re-opening businesses, we’ve also had to comply with state restrictions and have changed some of our protocols. If you’ve done any recent workshops with us, you’ll notice that we’ve had to cut down our workshop capacity, keep things (for the most part) in-state only, alter our itineraries based on closures, and have a “sanitizing station” on hand, and stay distanced during our teaching. Even though we aren’t fans of the “new normal” we will follow new restrictions to keep our students safe and keep teaching you photography. A big thank you to our loyal clients and students who keep coming back for more, despite the times! We hope to continue teaching and creating new experiences for you.
