Studio and location, newborn and family, fine art portrait photography
13th May 2020 - version 1.1 - Updated 26th May - (MPA-Master Photographer Association)
MPA COVID-19
HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOL
The health, safety and welfare of you and your customers is of paramount importance to us. The MPA has prepared the following H&S Covid-19 Protocol for members to the best of the information that is available at this time.
By signing up to the Master Photographers’ Association Covid-19 Protocol, you agree that you and your staff will reassure your customers, that you will follow the Covid-19 advice given by HM Government, the devolved Parliaments of Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and your Local Authority appertaining to your business. In addition you must maintain a clean and safe environment for yourselves and your customers.
1. Studio cleaning policy
Before and after every studio session the studio is deep cleaned by using disinfectant / isopropyl alcohol and/or steam cleaning. All surfaces that could be touched and all props used are sanitised. All blankets and outfits used are washed between portrait sessions. The studio will be aired thoroughly to minimise any droplets in the air.
2. Time between sessions
At least 1 hour will be left between sessions to enable a deep clean of all surfaces and accessories to take place and to ensure there is no contact between customers arriving and leaving the premises.
3. Sick policy
Customers will be required to disclose if anyone coming to the session has had a fever or any other symptoms such as coughs, sickness or vomiting or has been in contact with anyone displaying Covid-19 symptoms, suspected of having Covid-19 or has had a Covid-19 positive test result at least 24 hours before their session. Appointments will be re-arranged, at no cost.
4. Self monitoring
All photographers / staff and customers will be required to monitor their temperatures and health before coming into the studio. Disposable gloves and masks will be available in the studio and these should be used as deemed necessary and appropriate.
5. Hand washing
All photographers and staff will be required to thoroughly wash their hands for a minimum of 20 seconds before all sessions. Appropriate sanitising hand gels will be made available and customers requested to use these upon arrival at the studio.
6. Social distancing
All photographers and staff agree that every effort will be made to keep the 2m social distancing advice at all times where possible both in the studio and on location. This includes shaking hands and moving / adjusting hair or clothes. Parents may be asked to help move their children and babies as requested by the photographer. During the portrait session instructions to the clients will be given from the distance stipulated by and in accordance with the social distancing rules.
Due to the restrictions imposed by social distancing, it may not be appropriate to offer usual studio sessions and poses, particularly with regard to newborn and maternity sessions. To carry out these types of sessions where social distancing may not be possible due to safety, a bespoke policy will be put in place between the photographer and their customer (see point 7).
All studios should operate an appointment only booking system to ensure no contact between customers and minimise risk to photographers and staff by ensuring that the measures on this protocol are conveyed to customers before their appointments.
7. Covid 19 Customer Safety & Welfare Policy
All MPA Members can link to the MPA Covid-19 Protocol from their website and, where necessary, link to their own Health & Safety procedures to complement this Protocol.
Every studio will be able to, upon request, put in place a bespoke Health & Safety plan to meet the specific requirements of a portrait session / customer.
8. Continuing updates
As part of signing up to the Protocol you commit to checking for continuing updates (found at www.thempa.com/covid-19-protocol) and make adjustments in accordance with any new regulations issued by HM Government, your Local Authority or the devolved Government applicable to the location of your studio.
26th May 2020 - Update to MPA Covid 19 Protocol
9. Covid-19 Secure in 2020
All studios will be required to sign and display the completed “Covid-19 Secure in 2020” notice.
10. Risk Assessment
All studios will be required to establish a written Covid-19 Risk Assessment with regard to distancing and reasonable measures guidance.
11. 2m Distancing
All studios to advise customers whether 2m distancing can be maintained during their time at the Studio.
12. Reasonable Measures
All studios are to advise customers of the reasonable measures which are to be taken if their risk assessment has identified that the 2m distance is not feasible and cannot be maintained during their time at the Studio. These measures should include, but are not limited to, gloves and masks to be worn by staff and customers.
13. Working Safely During Coronavirus Guidance
All studios acknowledge the Government’s “Working safely during coronavirus Guidance” statement relating to shops and or similar environments issued on 25th May 2020 which states that Photography Studios can be open from the 15th June 2020.
Click here to view Suzi Gardner Photography - MPA Covid Policy Accreditation