A WESTHOUGHTON photographer has captured life in lockdown with a series of touching portraits on people’s doorsteps.

Marge Bradshaw, 41, has been using her daily walks to take snapshots of families in the area.

The photos, which are taken from 4m away using a long range lens, are all prearranged, and are designed to document life during the pandemic.

Mrs Bradshaw said: “No one in Westhoughton is documenting life in lockdown and because I’m from an archiving background it’s something I’m really interested in.

“I started capturing completely empty streets, but I normally photograph people and I missed doing that.

“It’s been really humbling talking to people about their experiences and their lives, it’s been giving them a sense of connection that they’ve missed.”

Mrs Bradshaw started doing the portraits after a friend, Debbie Croston, began organising a group of volunteers to make PPE for Bolton Hospital's Intensive Care Unit.

She wasn’t able to manage any sewing, but started taking the shots as a way to raise money to cover the materials needed.

All families have requested a portrait, arranging a time for Mrs Bradshaw to visit and capture a moment of their lives.

When the final photograph is handed over, families are encouraged, but not required, to make a donation to the fund.

In three weeks, Mrs Bradshaw has taken 55 portraits, and raised over £300.

She added: “It took a lot of arranging to be done but it’s all worth it when someone tells you they’ve been looking forward to that moment all day.

“Taking a picture of a birthday was great, it felt like I was contributing to their special day by adding some excitement.

“Speaking with the embalmer was amazing, talking to her about her experiences and life working during covid without PPE was really interesting.”

“I’ve submitted that shot to the National Portrait Gallery to showcase our heroes as part of their latest project.”

Visit margebradshawphotography.co.uk/howfen-portraits to see all of the portraits.