VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - For eight years, Robert Hamm's office has taken him all over Hampton Roads, owning a wedding photography business based in Virginia Beach.
“We look at ourselves as the scribe of light,” Hamm said. “I think lots of people try to create memories, but we're trying to capture your moment with the eye of a historian.”
But in a flash, he said the pandemic impacted his business this year.
“We had 38 weddings planned for 2020, and when COVID[-19] was announced and the lockdowns were put into place, the protective measures, we had all but four cancelled,” Hamm told News 3. “We find our clients through online and marketing and through word of mouth. So, when the clients dry up, so does the income dry up.”
“This is how I provide for my family,” Hamm added. “When I lose an income, because of COVID[-19], it was a scary time. Because it means that we had to look at the different equities that we had in our home in order to make things pass by.”
During the pandemic, he adapted his business by working smaller, outside ceremonies, and also going into livestreaming.
“The reaction has been really great. Most of the time, people are excited to be in front of the camera [and] not very shy, especially the kids,” he said. “It's almost a form of rebellion against this unforeseen event of COVID[-19] that gives them some empowerment.”
In the meantime, he's staying focused and will keep going.
“I do believe in the power of positive thinking,” Hamm said.
Positive thinking, while looking for the perfect shot.
