Photography for aged care and residential care facilities
I have recently completed an extensive advertising photo shoot for an aged and early-onset care provider. They are an in-home care provider that also has multiple residential facilities. I had to draw on a broad range of my photographic and personal skills for this work. We shot portraiture, interior and exterior architecture, gardens, activities and services, and rounded it off with some pet photography.
I have done commercial photography in the aged care sector for many years, and I have experience as a family member when my dear old dad was living in care. I am taking photos of vulnerable people in their homes. Some of the residents are very content, some are particularly sensitive, some are disoriented, others have complications with their short-term memory or physical health, and some people’s identities can’t be shared. This might sound like a lot to contend with, and to be honest, at times it is, but I had some wonderful exchanges with both staff and residents. It was a satisfying experience, and aging is a fact of life.
In my experience, the people who manage to do this work well are a special breed. They can balance the gravity of managing people's every need through real kindness and consideration. The key staff could tell you what room any of the residents were in, the names of immediate family and most importantly, their health story.
We set about creating a folio of architectural interior photographs of rooms with cohesive decor. A selection of rooms was styled for the shoot and photographed to show the views and airy feel of each space. I work from a tripod, doing my best to control lens distortion in the vertical lines. I shoot a mix of natural light exposures, both inside and outside, as well as bouncing studio flash light into the ceiling. With a group of photos from a fixed position, I can blend exposures for the final image.
The shared living areas in two of these facilities had high ceilings and sea views, which were really impressive. They were bright, spacious areas that were great to photograph.
We shot a range of portraiture, including staff headshots and some environmental portraits of residents, and these were my favourite photographs of the whole job. Lovely, generous folk who entered into the spirit of the shoot.
My approach to photographing people remains constant, regardless of who I am photographing. I tell people that getting their photo taken will be the most fun they’ll have in the day, and I want that to be the case. I explain that they can’t really make a mistake, so there is no pressure. I work out where I want them in relation to the composition and light to get a strong photograph. I’ll only offer instruction if it’s required.
I present with an assumption that we are friends. I bring plenty of joy, a great deal of care, and genuine interest in the exchange. I see that energy reflected back at me in the photos I take. My interest in the people I meet is real, and my joy in seeing these happy moments is powerful.
Animals in these environments are an important component of the care on offer, as nothing is required of the relationship except to share time together. There is a much-loved greyhound and a cat who get plenty of affection.
Photographing in aged care facilities has special considerations. Most of all, I need to meet people where they are. When people's mental and physical health has declined to the point of needing full-time care, simply moving around is challenging and potentially dangerous. The pace of everything is much, much slower, so I need to make sure that my requests are not overly taxing and that my equipment isn’t in anyone's way.
The realities of old age are confronting, but old age is a gift because not everyone gets to get old. It means that by some miracle, you managed to survive birth, illnesses, dangerous situations and random events. If we are really lucky, we’ll be getting great attention and care in our twilight years.
