Want to bring #TheFrontStepsProject to your town?
We had no idea #TheFrontStepsProject would take off! It’s been really fun hearing from so many gracious photographers across the country. Our idea was not unique (we know!) but we love that many of you want to come together. We want to collaborate and support each other! Please fill in the form below so we know you’re out there.
Tips and Suggestions
If you’re going to create a #TheFrontStepsProject, here are some thoughts to consider:
#TheFrontStepsProject aims to bring communities together (virtually and absolutely with strict social distancing!) in a time when we are isolated.
Our purpose (in Needham, MA) is rally our community ONLINE to support a local, deserving non-profit. Our intention in creating #TheFrontStepsProject was not to generate income for photographers, but rather to unite communities. However, everyone is different and we have different lives, businesses and communities. You do you!
We suggest using a trusted third party payment system for donations. Set up a GoFundMe or something similar, it’s easy! It lets the people you’re photographing know that their donations are surely going to the organization you’ve chosen. Some photographers are letting their community members choose on their own. #GoodFaith
Please ensure that you are adhering to very strict social distancing and health guidelines as dictated by your community. Please respect your community leaders if they ask your community to #StayHome.
Please credit us! We’re a fantastic creative community. If you’re running your own #TheFrontStepsProject, please use our tag and tag us in your posts. Please also tag @CaraSoulia as she is the originator of #TheFrontStepsProject. And please, if you’re talking to local media, mention you heard of it from a photographer in MA?
Details on how we got started are below. Feel free to use them, tweak them, or just look at them for your own ideas!
1) Create a web page with details about your #TheFrontStepsProject: Who I Am, Why I Am Doing It, and How It Will Work.
You are welcome to copy some of our content from the homepage of this website if it helps you get started.
We would appreciate it if you would please mention @CaraSoulia as the originator of this project.
PLEASE use the hashtag #thefrontstepsproject when you post photos.
2) Determine which local organization might benefit from your goodness!
We chose the Needham Community Council because we believe they are the most well-known to neighbors and they have the widest impact. But, you choose what matters to you and what might rally people to sign up.
3) Set up a GoFundMe so that you can safely collect donations, set goals, and watch the donations increase. Go Fund Me tells us it is best to create a Charity Campaign, as these will put donations straight through to the 501c3 (non-profit) of your choice.
It is not advised to accept payment or cash from people directly. If you’re doing this to be good, be professional and ethical.
4) Find five people to kickstart your project and post their images to spread the word locally. Please feel free to crib from our standard IG posts. Post in your local Facebook communities and ask your friends to join. The more you share, the faster the word will spread in your community.
5) Schedule away. We only spend 5 minutes with each family and we try to schedule them in close proximity so that we do not spend too much time away from our families. We do sessions from 5:00 - 6:30 pm and edit the images at night for posting every few hours the next day. And the cycle re-starts!
6) We’re overwhelmed and thrilled with the interest! We recommend using a form or starting a spreadsheet to stay organized. If you have a friend or someone who can help manage the inquires and scheduling while you handle the photos and posts, consider dividing if your project takes off.
Good luck! Thank you for responding in such a supportive way.