Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the photography community is equally affected due to pandemic quarantining and social distancing. Every day, things are getting worse from assignments being called off to major photography events getting postponed. We all are vulnerable right now — but we can use this gloomy time to be more creative and productive by following the things we always wanted to do — sharing here my to-do list for the coming few days/weeks/months/years.

1. Check out and apply to these emergency grants, freelance resources, legal aid,and more by Kickstarter . The Photographers Network . PHMuseum
2. Start editing your personal photo projectsNOW before they become digital dust. They are the best reminder for you to reflect on why you started photography in the first place! Great News — Adobe is Giving Everyone 2 Months of Free Creative Cloud — Here’s How To Get It
3. When was the last time you took a backup of your work?? After every shoot, I transfer all my images in an external portable HDD and have 3x2TB, 1x5TB but I always wanted to make an online backup of my backup. I now have a lot of time to upload my final edits in high-quality jpeg format on Gdrive — Go make multiple G accounts or buy their cloud space today!
4. Make a photo bookwith your favourite 100 photos of all-time. You can use FREE software like BookWright by Blurb or Binder Editor by Binder Photo Books. Blurb also provides a hasslefree self-publishing platform to sell online. Just share on your social media, and email it to friends and family who are interested in your work! Need inspiration — check my first photobook Beauty of Kerala, I published on 15th March’2020. Support by buying a copy if you’ve some extra money.
5. LinkedIn is Facebook 2012and it is the best social media platform for 2020. We all have heard this from Gary V, so get on board now before you miss the wave again! Happy to connect with active photographers and discuss growth strategies on LinkedIn here!
6. Learn new skills you always wanted to nail. I am learning FB ads using this free course on SkillShare(3 months free subscription).
7. Start your YouTube channel that you always wanted to and /or start your own photography blog. Try to record your personal thoughts (photo or non-photo related) with a smartphone and share it on your website/blog. If you still don’t have a website then check Pixpa— the all-in-one platform to create a beautiful portfolio website with e-commerce, client galleries, and blog.
8. Join me for this Virtual Photography Summitwhere I am bringing some of the best voices in the photography community to discover what it takes to plan your next career move. Reach out if you have an interesting story to share.
9. Sell as originals or limited edition printsfor a 20% profit margin. Saatchi is the world’s leading online gallery with great logistic support. Upload a photo daily and sell within your community!
10. Buy yourself a nice photo book/print once a week to support other photographersand to get inspired by their amazing work. When you feel the urge to buy more on Amazon (things you don’t need), buy a photo book instead.

In the last 10 days, I am totally out of work like most of you and have experienced major financial losses due to payment getting stuck of the previously completed projects and new assignments being called off. But I am diverting all my energy to bring these other creative projects to life. Just want to say — You are not alone!

Stay Safe, Positive & Creative <3

About the Author

Saurabh Narang is a multi-award-winning photographer and a creative consultant. Over the years, he has worked with fortune 500 companies, filmmakers, and renowned NGOs in different parts of the world. He has also been published and exhibited globally. You can find his work on his website and Instagram. This article was also published here and shared with permission.