A talented photographer from Yate has been capturing door step memories of lockdown, whilst raising money for charity.

Emily Ball, owner at Emily Ball Photography has been snapping families staying at home, and asking for donations to be made to MIND Charity.

Emily was furloughed in March and her newly found spare time, has allowed her to focus and develop her small photography business.

She decided that she would capture 'Doorstep Portraits' of families staying in during lockdown and then offer them their images for free, with a request that they make a donation to the mental health charity.

Emily takes her images from the driveways and gardens, to ensure she adheres to social distancing guidelines.

Emily said:

"From my own family to extended family and friends, we are all finding this time challenging, so my idea around donating to MIND feels absolutely the right thing to do.

"Being furloughed in March has given me some valuable time to be pick up my camera and spend some much needed TLC developing my side business 'Emily Ball Photography'.

"My first love has always been photography, ever since gaining my Bachelor of Arts at Solent University it has been a career I would like to pursue. But a balancing act of working full-time and creating my brand has been challenging.

"So I am extremely grateful for the time I have been given to be able to do this during lockdown.

"Doorstep Portraits' was devised after speaking to my family about my latest crazy creative idea- but actually this one wasn't so crazy!

"It was designed as a light-hearted way for us all to remember and reflect on these strange times from the comfort and safety of people's homes.

"We all love taking photos and sharing them, so why not spread the love by taking and sharing photos of families pulling together during this uncertain time.

"All of the images are sent by digital download, and i am giving them to each family totally free.

"Instead, I'm giving the option to donate to the mental health charity, MIND.

"We all know how important mental health can be. Especially now, more than ever in these uncertain times we are facing together.

" I am simply overwhelmed with the positive response 'Doorstep Portraits' has already received, and in just a few hours we have almost hit my fundraising target of £100. I cannot quite believe the support from friends, family and new friends, and the positive effect it is having on some families already!

"I am so pleased I decided to do this, families have shared some wonderful heart felt stories, and have said how much it means to them to have some kind of remembrance and way of showing their unity within their family bubbles.

Doorstep Portraits are available to families local to Yate and Chipping Sodbury, to book go to @emilyballphotography on Facebook or @emilyballphotography_ on Instagram

To donate go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/emily-ball2020?