When Melbourne’s stage-four business restrictions came into effect on August 5, the city’s photography industry – like many others – was brought to a standstill.

“Photography shoots are not a permitted activity,” read the government guidelines, “unless they are in relation to production of telecommunication required to support critical functions, such as law enforcement, public safety, medical and other critical industries.”

So, after 10 weeks, Melbourne photographers (and those who work in adjacent industries) are calling on the state government to let them to return to work – safely – from October 19. Yesterday, an open letter was sent to Victorian premier Daniel Andrews and the Minister for Industry Support and Recovery, Martin Pakula, with 247 signatures.

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It comes in response to recent comments by Andrews about a limited loosening of restrictions this Sunday. “I think it unlikely that we will be able to move as fast as we would like to have done,” he said in a press conference last Saturday.

The open letter reads: “On behalf of a vast number of Melbourne’s leading photographers, videographers, stylists, assistants, digital operators, studios, models, agents, producers and our subsequent clients – we urge you to please reopen the commercial photography industry.”

(And it includes the tagline, “We’re Tradies, Too”, referring to the fact that some members of the construction industry are still able to work.)

The reopening push is being led by freelance photographer Lauren Bamford, who pulled the 200-plus signatures together in less than 24 hours. She wants to highlight just how much her industry is struggling. “It’s shit, I’m anxious and stressed,” she tells Broadsheet.

“Self-employed photographers are used to hustling, but this is a whole different thing … I know people who are completely screwed and haven’t earned anything in months. I don’t know how they’re surviving.”

Bamford says the industry welcomes regulation around the return to work. “We’re all-for safety precautions,” she says. “In the same way as other businesses, we should be able to work in small teams with a Covid-safe plan.”

In addition to the open letter, Bamford has launched a Change.org petition, which at the time of publishing had more than 2000 signatures.

Find the full open letter and Change.org petition here.