​Thank you Tony Antoine De Montalant for sitting down with me yesterday and talking about Salem's rich history. I am super excited to be moving forward with Salem walking photography tours this Fall that will highlight the Golden Age of Trading and more. I hope Tony continues to be involved (if I am lucky) and I hope we can continue safely during this time! Stephanie Espinal Jimenez will also be part of this project and has been literally kicking ass as my new photo teacher this summer with Big Picture Art House! Feeling grateful and excited! I want to shout out Joe's Fresh Fish Prints- the Gallery where I love to visit and shop and will be a stop on our tour route often! These tours will not only highlight history, teach photography but also drive business to Salem's local artists with stops in local, small shops on each tour.

COVID-19: We will continue to follow state guidelines.  As the city loosens, so will we. Pleae note this program as it is involves riding DAILY together in the program van.  This does not maintain 6 feet.
WE HOPE TO OPEN IN PHASE 2.  We will not open in Phase 1.  If you are registered in a Phase 1 class you will get a refund. The State says Phase 2 would start earliest 3 weeks from May 18th.  If our program can comply with state guidelines we will move forward.
Tentative plans to protect safety:
MASKS: Students MUST bring their own mask to class.  Masks will be worn in the van and on field trips as needed.  
SOCIAL DISTANCING:  We will do our best to stay 6 feet apart in the teaching space and spend more of our downtime activities outside in the yard. Due to the nature of the program there will be times when staff and students are CLOSER than six feet apart. For example, ALL VAN RIDES we will have 8 people in the car driving to and from field trips.
MORE TIME OUTSIDE:  We will be spending more time outside both on field trips and in the yard doing games and activities during downtimes.
LIABILITY WAIVER: Parents will NEED to sign a waiver before class starts accepting the program as outlined and releasing Big Picture from liability if their student contracts Covid-19.
SANITIZE: Students and staff will assist in wiping down the van and teaching space regualrly.  We will have sanitizer here and students are encouraged to bring small bottle for themselves.
OVERNIGHT CLASS: As of now, masks are not required in the house or property and we will not be going to any other places.  However, a temperature and questionnaire are required at the start of the week to make sure students have no symptoms and have not been exposed.
ENROLLMENT: 2 weeks before class, if we do not have atleast 4 students enrolled, class will be cancelled. Reach out to see if your class is at risk of being cancelled. bigpicturearthouse@gmail.com.
COVID-19 UPDATE: NO DEPOSITS NECESSARY. PAYMENTS NOT DUE UNTIL 2 WEEKS BEFORE YOUR WORKSHOP. At check out select "pay with a check".  Then mail a check or pay with credit to www.paypal.me/bigpicturearthouse two weeks before class start.


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CONTACT JENNY NOW WITH CONCERNS QUESTIONS 

Overnight class is a go!  I cannot get the money back so I guess if things head south I will have to take a PERSONAL VACATION!  BUT I am hoping and think things will be on track by then for our 4 night get away to a remote location on the lake.  The group will be small at max 7 kids.

I will plan to finalize that trip absolutely no later than July 6th, which is 7.5 weeks away (with departure date at 9.5 weeks away) and payments will be due in full at that time. I think 2 weeks out will give us enough time to accurately see what is projected for Covid-19 guidelines and if I have enough kids interested.  SO far we have 3! 

Thanks for being flexible during this unknown time!
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I was super excited to secure space in the Old Town Hall in Salem, MA.  My hope is to have a summer workshop for kids there and also start seasonal Salem Photo Tours.  Due to Covid-19 everything is on hold.  BUT I am hoping AT LEAST to get in there and get started with photo tours this fall.  The tours will consist of photo lessons for folks visiting Salem followed by a walking tour around the city to learn about trading history, architecture and to meet local artisans while being instructed on how to take GREAT PHOTOS.  Participants can use program DSLR cameras or bring their own.  Think 2-hour Trip Advisor experience or Air b and b experience for all ages. More on this later as things "normalize".

Like everyone else, I had to pivot.  We are in week 7 of online virtual classes using the zoom platform and everything from cell phones, to DSLRs to take pics. The students have produced amazing work and it has been refreshing to see images from home, and the creativity they have brought to classes.  Another exciting element was having students join from other places like France and Colorado.  Check out some of the highlights on our FB page. Here are the highlights from "My Quarantine Story" class. 
​Here are some more favorites below from Photo Play class:

Big Picture Summer classes are moving forward as planned.  I will keep my eye on government suggestions and the course of the virus.  Things may be added, removed etc. as needed.
 
No deposits are necessary and payments are due two weeks before class.
 
We will tweak field trip locations as needed and sanitize surfaces regularly.