AN Old Town photographer has offered families to take free doorstep portraits in a bid to raise money for Prospect Hospice.

Vadym Gurevych decided to document life during lockdown by capturing couples and families’ portraits from their doorsteps.

He said: “I’ve seen that people were doing it somewhere in the country, they were taking pictures of themselves or their neighbours to remember these times.

“It may not seem very significant now but may be in several years they will look back and reflect on their experience. They’ll be able to show their kids when they grow up.”

The 41-year-old hopes to raise £1,500 for the charity that helped his friend who died from cancer nine years ago.

“I thought If I were to do that, besides giving people their pictures, I could also help Prospect Hospice," he said. 

“I had a really good friend of mine, Anita, who died from cancer and Prospect gave her good care. And I know they’ve been serving the people of Swindon quite well.

He added: “I want to raise at least £1500, so I don’t mind doing it even after lockdown. It’s been quite a nice experience.

“I tell everyone that I don’t insist on having a donation, so there are people who don’t donate and that’s fine.

“But are some that actually do, and I was expecting something like a fiver or a tenner but they are some people who donated £20 and I’m on the very early stages of that I’ve only been doing it for a few days.”

Vadym is an amateur wildlife photographer who usually takes pictures of birds.

“I wasn’t sure if I could do it,” he said. “I find it more challenging than shooting birds. I was nervous on the first day because I want to give people something good.

“I feel more responsibilities, I feel responsible for presenting those people in the best way possible.

“And the conditions are a bit challenging because it’s not a studio, it’s in the street, so sometimes I have to stand between cars for example or there are wheelie bins, so you have manoeuvred a lot.”

The managing director of Holbi Group Ltd has taken pictures of more than 20 families in Old Town and hopes to expand this project to further areas across Swindon.

He said: “I’m only doing Old Town because I live there. I might go to other areas such as North Swindon. It’s been quite an experience and it’s very interesting to meet people as well.”

To support Vadym or for further information visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/oldtowndoorstepportraits