Strengthening the community begins with the first step.

For us, it starts on the front step.

#TheFrontStepsProject, started by Boston photographer Cara Soulia and marketing consultant Kristen Collins, brings us together virtually despite being – and maybe feeling – isolated.  We aim to highlight the faces of our community during a time when we might not see them in passing at the grocery store, coffee shop, on the train or at the gym.

We may be temporarily separated, but we are always united.

Participating in this project is also an opportunity to step up to help those who need it most right now.

“With so many feeling isolated or disconnected from friends, family and the rest of the world these days, something as simple as a happy photograph can help keep us going.”— CNN’S RECENT ARTICLE ON #THEFRONTSTEPSPROJECT

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 will do sessions from 4:30 – 6:00 pm and edit the images at night for posting every few hours the next day. And the cycle re-starts!

As a photographer, I typically spend hours every week capturing images of families in times of joy: Expecting moms, babies on the way, newborns, siblings, families, and more. Those moments of joy are still happening in homes right now. I know it. But I can’t be there to capture them. So I am focusing on how I can bring people together in the community by documenting this time by taking five-minute “Front Steps Portraits” of Acton residents.

Each day we will take a couple of hours to scurry around town and snap super fast images of Acton families on their front steps.

Photographers across the country – and even the globe – have been inspired to start their own The Front Steps Project™ in their communities. We are so amazed by their energy and enthusiasm! We want to work together, so get in touch.

Process

You will know when we are coming, I will text you 05 minutes before the scheduled time. You can step outside, where I, Elaine Freitas, a photographer (your Acton neighbor!)  will be standing near your driveway or street, at least 10 feet away. I will take a couple of quick shots and leave. We physically interact with no one, and touch nothing, during these sessions.

We *do* smile and laugh with you, however, and don’t we all need a little bit of that right now?

After your quick session, we will email you the digital file of your portrait.

In exchange, we ask you to make a suggested $50 donation or more to Acton Food pantry. here is the GoFund link gf.me/u/x6kjrt

We will be posting these images on Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #thefrontstepsproject

Dress Code

This is not a typical get-dressed-up-and-pose-for-the-photographer session. Want to stand outside in your pajamas and slippers? Sounds good to us. Kids in mismatched clothes but you’re thrilled they got dressed? Fantastic. Wearing your bike gear because you’re headed off to ride a trail in the nice weather? Love it!

Be you.

#TheFrontStepsProject #Acton.

#TheFrontStepsProject #Boxborough