Leamington photographer helping to bring smile to people's faces and raise money for NHS

A photographer from Leamington is using her camera to help raise money for NHS staff.

Siobhan Hannan, 43, who grew up in Leamington but now lives in Gaydon, runs her business Siobhan Elizabeth Photography, and usually takes photos at celebrations and parties.

Because of the lockdown many of Siobhan's jobs have been cancelled.

"I had about 15 mothers day studio sessions cancelled the week before lockdown as I decided it was in the interest of my clients and myself which was a difficult decision.

"So far, five weddings have been postponed, which has been incredibly difficult for my couples, it's such an emotional time for them.

"I have also had other commercial jobs cancelled.. Spring time is a 'usual ' time for bride and grooms to book for the year ahead, no one is booking due to uncertainty."

Despite this Siobhan decided to take on a different project - to document the lockdown while bringing a smile to people's faces and raising money for the NHS.

"My business is on lockdown, so many celebrations have been put on hold, weddings, parties, babies being born - our families are separated - but we are all safe, and I wanted to capture this.

"I wanted to capture the love inside our homes, I wanted to bring some joy to homes that needed it, to see how communities come together, to hear stories and to document this uniquely odd moment in time we are living in.

"Our future generations will learn of this time in their history lessons, to have this archive of images is so important.

"I also volunteer in the village, to help vulnerable households and in my village shop, which is manned mostly by volunteers. I have been so inspired by the community spirit here in my new village."

So far Siobhan has covered Gaydon, Chadshunt, Kineton, Lighthorne Heath, Bishops Tachbrook, Whitnash, Warwick Gates, Leamington, Lillington, Milverton and Cubbington.

"The response has been overwhelming", said Siobhan. "I have to stick to the guidelines, use my exercise time to get to everyone in my local area, and my essential travel, to shop for my parents, to reach others.

"I have captured families, couples, singles, birthdays, wedding days that should have been, anniversaries, families split up so I’ve been sent to two locations, engagements, new babies and bumps.

"People have wanted to mark their special occasions safely together with something they can look at and remember and treasure.

"Hopefully it will become a special piece of family history for each household."

In return for the photos people have been donating to Siobhan's fundraising page, which is raising money for NHS Charities Together.

"The money raised is a fantastic bonus, and I'm so happy to say that I have smashed my target for NHS Charities together.

"I want this to be available to all.

"Some are risking their lives on the frontline, some are already donating else where, some are living through very tough financial times and money is stretched.

"I wanted to do this to give the community something, for the individual houses to remember we were 'safe at home'. "

As of Monday afternoon Siobhan had raised £815.

To donate go to: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/siobhan-elizabeth-photographyTo see Siobhan's photos or for more information about her business go to: https://www.facebook.com/SiobhanElizabethMPA/​ or search Siobhan Elizabeth Photography on Instagram.