A PRESTWICK photographer has taken unique snaps of families in lockdown – whilst raising money for Scottish Women’s Aid.

Samantha Madden is normally accustomed to taking pictures of weddings and newborn babies, but with the coronavirus pandemic, she decided to capture the moment we all had to stay in.

The 29-year-old mum of three had to close her home studio business Tink & Lulu Photography, and deal with wedding cancellations affecting international customers who were planning on getting hitched in Scotland.

But she decided to keep her passion alive by visiting homes across Ayr and Prestwick and capturing a family portrait from behind the window.

Samantha told the Advertiser: “I was out doing my daily hour of exercise and my girls had given me letters that they wanted me to drop off at their friends houses.

“I decided to make up a card-board sign to say come to the window for your portrait.

“Before I knew it I was on the bike, and I had people most days who said they’d love a portrait. I took pictures of families, and families with babies who have been born during this lockdown.”

Families started to offer Samantha money, but she decided to use the opportunity to help a charity who are dealing with a spike in domestic abuse cases.

She has raised £625 for Scottish Women’s Aid, with every penny going direct to the charity which is supporting victims of abuse throughout the coronavirus lockdown.

Samantha feels its important to raise awareness of the issue as she ‘documents’ history.

She said: “People were asking, what do we owe you? I couldn’t bring myself to make a profit out of a pandemic. I thought why not donate to a charity. I appreciate what the NHS are doing, but there is a lot of people who are stuck inside with their abusers just now.

“For a lot of children as well school is a safe place. Woman might get a break from their partners because they go to work. I noticed that Scottish Women’s Aid have never received such a high volume of phone calls. I felt I was doing more good donating to that. The money will go straight to the agencies in Scotland that need it most.”

The unique pictures have all been shared on Tink & Lulu Photography, which has been going for two years.

And some families have even asked for printed copies once they are available.

She added: “I feel like I’m documenting history.

“It’s been a very weird war-like scenario, but instead people are spending it on their couches to tackle the pandemic.

“There are so many children who will never remember all of this, but their parents will have proof when they have a photo of their faces squished up against the window.”

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