They say a picture can tell a thousand words, but sometimes it is just a way of keeping yourself occupied during lockdown.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
One Canberra family is doing just that, taking a photo a day to post on social media during lockdown. And they're not just any family photos.
The Searle family - Lach, Lauretta, Tommy (9) and Lotti (8) - have been coming up with different scenarios that they can capture each day.
"We just say to the kids 'come on, it's time' and it's 10 minutes where we put some dress ups on or get some props out and have a bit of a laugh and set up a tripod and countdown from 10 and see what we get," Lach Searle says.
"It's starting to get a bit difficult to come up with new ideas because we've pretty much used everything in the dress-up box and everything in the house that can be I considered dress up, so we're having to make costumes and things but it just adds to the fun.
"Some of the photos have turned out pretty fun. And I think in the long run, we might have a nice stack of photos where we could do a calendar for next year. It looks like we'll be in lockdown for 40/50 plus days, so it might even end up being a coffee table book rather."
Included in their creations is a photo of a birthday celebration for their chocolate labrador Betty and they have set up a shot of the family performing "day surgery" on Lotti's tomato sauce covered leg - inspired after she sprained it on the trampoline earlier that day. They've taken pictures dressed for an at-home safari and even paid tribute to Chief Minister Andrew Barr (as well as a former Canberra bar) by recreating the pub "All Barr Nun" for a photo.
Every day - without fail - the family takes the time to think of an idea and execute it. They just have two rules. The first is they can't stockpile photos to be used at a later date. The second is their dog Betty needs to feature in every photo.
"Betty was hard work at the start, but now she loves it," Lach Searle says.
"She knows that if we're getting ready for a photo in front of the wall, she just turns up and she knows that the longer it takes, the more treats she gets."
The lockdown photo project has also proved to be a hit with family and friends. Not only are they liking the photos, but they've been making suggestions for future ideas and rating the ones that are posted.
"There are constant requests that comes we're doing handstands, which I don't know what that's all about - maybe they want us to fall over. There's also requests for men in black men and women in black," Lach says.
"It's actually been quite nice because it's been a really good way to connect with a number of friends and family. Each night's quite social because a few people are regularly commenting and sharing.
"Not all of our photos are great ideas. We think we've got some fun ones, and we've had some nice support from family and friends on social media. I think it's helping people with a bit of a laugh each evening to tick off another day."
READ MORE:
For now though, the family isn't taking on any of the suggestions from friends and family. But, Lach Searle says that if they're still taking photos passed October 15 - the date the lockdown in Canberra is set to be lifted - then they may be taking some of those ideas on.
"It's been nice connecting with not just people in Canberra but we've got friends and family in Melbourne and New South Wales in lockdown and people overseas ... are still loving the photos," he says.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark canberratimes.com.au
- Download our app
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram