In a very difficult time for people all over the world trying to figure out the new norm, we are no different. Lisa, Ray and I have been on self lockdown for going on three weeks, with the exception of a few sunrise and sunset shoots to try to maintain our sanity. We also took a day to consolidate our studio office into our home office while maintaining distance from others and with the utmost caution.

Only one other time in my 59 years have I seen such a uniting of Americans as a whole, that was 9/11. The thing about Americans is that they are resilient and will endure and come together to create even a greater America. For now, it’s important not to come together physically, but to do so in mind and spirit.

Click on Image for  “lockdown video”

For businesses it’s important to remain creative in thought and continue to look for ways of staying in business. I really feel fortunate to be able to survive without working. I know so many people have it a lot worse than we do. One year ago, almost to the date, we added a brick and mortar last year to have a place for portraits and teaching classes. The last few weeks have given us time to evaluate the necessity of the space. As luck would have it, April 1st was when we had to make the decision to renew or relinquish our studio space.  Pro360 Virtual Tours and  Joe Duty.com will now be a completely mobile, on-location studio with the exception of teaching classes as Texas Vision Photography. We will still have a presence in my home town of Decatur, Texas by renting locations like Main Street Visitors center, Nrs Ranch and Event Center and Decatur Conference Center.  We will miss our store front for sure and as one of my last projects in studio, next week I will be doing a special series on COVID-19 called ON the Frontline to pay tribute to the individuals that don’t have the choice to stay at home with families, but are helping us to do so.

I do believe all this will pass, we will emerge stronger as a nation than ever and I will be back in the rodeo arena and local events, in the middle of the action.

COVID-19, photography, teaching photography