Documenting your ‘Lockdown Life’ with a Virtual Shoot!

Robs Oosthuysen is a photographer that has literally managed to add some lovilee to my lockdown with a new creative product offering – a virtual shoot! She decided to step up to add something new in this time of social distancing with ‘FaceTime sessions’ – Documenting your ‘Lockdown Life’ in a fun and creative way. All you need is 20-30 minutes, FaceTime on your phone and a relatively stable internet connection.

If you have had a birthday during lock-down or got engaged or celebrated an anniversary or just looking to do a family session, this is a fun way to capture a memory to lock down in time. This might also be the perfect Mother’s Day gift, it’s the one time physical distance doesn’t matter!

I am soooo smitten with the results of this shoot and it was for me like a breath of fresh air! I got up, excited, did my hair, put on some makeup and played model, all whilst in the comfort of my own home and I now have some beautiful images to show for it!

Who is Robs Oosthuysen?

Robs is a photographer and graphic designer based in Grahamstown, South Africa. Her photography is largely people focused, from family through to heirloom portraiture, concept, couple and boudoir photography. She has been in the creative industry for close to 20 years and her design business is known as Design Ardour (You might recall that we did a giveaway of some of her pretty goodies in our Fabulous Fox give-away before). She is passionate about sharing her creativity with others and makes beautiful prints (featured in the flatlay) and notepads.

How do FaceTime Sessions with Robs Oosthuysen work?

I shared some images of the two spaces that I thought would work best for images, namely our guest bedroom and my home office. This gave her an indication of the colors in my home and what flatlay she could create to showcase my images on. We set up a time and Robs called me via Video call on FaceTime (My first EVER FaceTime call!). We did a quick walk through of my spaces and she identified the best spots to take the images.

I placed my phone in the correct spot based on Robs’ instructions and then she was able to direct the shoot through the phone. I have no idea how she actually manages to capture so many beautiful images, but I could hear the click click of the professional camera on her end. So, the phone that you see on the images is actually her phone but the screen what is broad-casted through mine.

My mind was blown and I had 20 minutes of the most exciting fun I have had throughout the whole lockdown period!

Some Frequently Asked Questions:

1. How do I know if my Internet signal is strong enough?
   If you contact Robs she will be able to make a test call to you to see whether the signal works before you make a booking.
2. What is FaceTime?
   FaceTime is a FREE video chat application developed by Apple that works on iOS devices.
3. What if I do not have FaceTime or an Apple Device?
   There are so many platforms to video call on, some better than others and some phones better than others. If you make contact with Robs she will help you find a way to see what’s best and do a test call before the booking to see if it works.
4. How much do these sessions cost?
   There are 4 packages to choose from (and I think they are very well priced). The FaceTime Mini Session is the most popular, a 20 minutes uninterrupted photography session, 15 images, in one flatlay sceen for R800. (And I have a 10% off sneaky discount code for you – Unlock it my following @Robyn_Oosthuysen on Instagram and pop me a DM for the code!) Then there are other budget options with the small package that starts at R380 for 5 images and 1 flatlay and two larger ones that offers more flatlay options.
5. How long does it take to receive my images?
   Your images will take a few days to edit but is normally received within a week from the shoot date. You will then receive a link to your image for you to download on your end. You can then print these photos on your own after lockdown.
6. What should I wear?
   The idea is to capture you and/or your family in lockdown so be yourself, but if in doubt Robs can definitely guide you in the right direction.
7. How can I book my own FaceTime sessions?
   Send Robs a what’s app on 082 454 8242 for a full price list and booking details.

   If you book one of these shoots please tag me on Instagram or Facebook so that I can have a look!!!

   

   To view more of her work or of these Virtual shoots that she has done visit her on Facebook or Instagram.

   Thank you to Robs who gifted me with one of these sessions! It was sooooooooooo much fun!

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