“I want people to have positive memories of lockdown” Salford photographer offers ‘doorstep portraits’ to raise money for children’s hospice

A photographer from Salford has been taking free ‘doorstep portraits’ for families during lockdown to raise money for a children’s hospice close to her heart.

Lian Cunliffe was inspired by portraits she saw online from an American photographer and decided she would bring the idea to Salford – using the photoshoots to encourage people to dress up and have a happier memory of their time in lockdown.

Miss Cunliffe, who is from Winton and who works full time as a sales manager, originally came up with the idea for her family and friends, but word soon spread in the area.

She said: “I did it off my own back for a few family members, they posted them, and from there it had a ripple effect.

“The community said ‘is she available to come to us?’

“It got to a point where it was a little bit too big for me, and I thought it would be the perfect time to raise money for a charity that’s very close to my heart.

“It’s taken over my life!” she chuckles, “but it’s for a good cause.”

Lian set up a JustGiving page to raise money for Francis House Hospice in South Manchester.

The hospice looked after her friend Samantha Lillico, who suffered from a rare teenage bone cancer called Osteosarcoma, 16 years ago.

She said: “From 13 to 16 years old, we were all at school as teenagers and whilst she was in a lot of pain, she tried to live her best life.

“Francis House absolutely supported her, I still remember to this day how much their help, kindness and support impacted her quality of life for the better.

“Ever since then our group of friends have done charity events for the work they did for her.”

Lian has raised 90 per cent of her £1,200 target since starting the doorstep portraits two and a half weeks ago.

In that time, she has completed 156 shoots around Salford and has 70 more scheduled.

Lian said: “What’s going on at the moment, I know it’s difficult and unprecedented times, but it’s history.

“People are going to remember this, and I want them to have positive memories if we can do that.”

You can see more of Lian’s pictures on her Facebook page.