Businesses and entrepreneurs have to be a little more creative to keep afloat during this time. That includes local photographers who are struggling after many wedding and newborn photo sessions have been canceled. 

• Photographers are being creative by taking portraits from client's porches and keeping social distance
• The idea has spread across the country
• Miranda Hertel, a Cincinnati photographer, says she's seen a lot of interest in porch portraits

For many of us we’re stuck inside all day- trying to find something to pass the time. One idea? Porch portraits. Local photographers are encouraging couples and families to get outside while they shoot pictures from a safe social distance.

Miranda Hertel is used to giving directions behind the camera. But during this time of social distancing, she heard of a creative idea to keep taking those pictures. Porch portraits.

“When they discovered that I won’t come anywhere near in contact with them, not even touching cash or anything like that, everybody was like I have to do this," Hertel said.

This is how it works- a family or couple schedule a short session- and Hertel takes pictures from a safe social distance.

“Why not get outside, get some fresh air and have this tangible time of history that you’ll have forever," Hertel said.

Miranda has used photography as a source of income for the past four years. She said when she saw the idea, she figured it would help her keep money coming in.

“Anyway I can keep my family fed and keep myself sane during this time of isolation, I’m willing to do it," Hertel said. "I didn’t see anyone else in the local area doing this yet so I figured I have to hop on board with this.”

Miranda was also laid off from her other part-time job. She says porch portraits are about the only thing people are willing to do right now in order to stay safe. But she says, she’s gotten a lot of clients through the idea.

“The fact that weddings are being canceled and newborn shoots are being canceled, it’s really devastating," Hertel said. "So I’m happy that we can do something like this to make everyone’s spirits a little higher during this difficult time.”

“We just thought we don’t have anything else going on today and why not help her and her business?” Michelle Ziegler, one of Hertel's clients said.

And for her clients- it was an easy way to have a good laugh and capture this unique point in history.

“It was fun just to have fun documenting this historic time," Jim Ziegler a client of Hertel's said. "And Miranda makes it a lot of fun, giving us ideas on how to pose and what to do. So we had a blast!”

But as the stay at home order is now in effect, Miranda says she hopes it won’t impact her business.

“We’re allowed to get fresh air," Hertel said. "We’re allowed to drive in our car. We’re allowed to see friends and family as long as we’re social distancing ourselves within the six feet. I’m actually going to be more than six feet away. So if the response keeps going, until we’re actually on a quarantine lock down where we’re not allowed to legally leave our house, I would love to continue to do this.”