Last March, we were merely two weeks into a pandemic- shellshocked and believing that we would be coming out of it in a few months. Oh, what we didn't know then. We are changed, forever, by the events of this past year. But we're also so much more resilient than we realized we are. We've learned to adapt, to take deep breaths and reset as many times as was required of us- even when it seemed impossible. We rediscovered what was most important, and learned to let go of what wasn't- even if, perhaps, the choice seemed like it was being made for us.
There was definitely an overall sense of resilience and joy in these sessions the second time around. I even used a different lens this time (the first time was an 85mm so I could keep as much distance between myself and the families), but this time, I opted for my 50mm. It didn't occur to me until after the fact that even just this one adjustment is significant of how much closer we're getting to finding a new normal again.
Thank you to all of my Northside Framily for being so lovely and sharing your stories with me! And thank you again, to NBC12 news for the spot last week, and helping to keep our hope alive on this 390-something day of navigating a pandemic.
DENNIS & LOIS (& "EILEEN) 2020
2021
BEN & EMILY
2020
2021
Fun fact: Lois & Dennis live next to Ben & Emily. Emily told me they're basically best friends.
The Horton Family
2020
2021
The Stonestreet Family
2020
2021
The McLees Family
2020
2021
Artist shoutout! Garrett McLees has created the beautiful art pictured below. You can find more of his work on Instagram @gmcleesart!
The Mito Family
2020
Carri & Champ
2020
2021
Kristin, Noah & Kylie
2020
2021
The Kennedy Family
2020
2021
The Wenzels
2020
2021
The Kinahan Family
2020
2021
The Childress Family
2020
2021
Phil, Kara, Avery & Asher
2020
2021
The Blacks
2020
2021
(Nora, left, was finally able to go back to school in person this Spring, but within a week, someone in her class got COVID. She and a few others in her class also ended up testing positive for it. They still wanted to do the porch picture, so we all wore masks and distanced ourselves outside. Hang in there, friends!!
The "Claremont Crew"
2020
2021
"Bash"
2020
2021
The Webb Family
2020
2021
The Robinsons
2020
2021
Also, just for fun- some "honorable mentions" and outtakes.
"Mom, I'm going to COSCO and Target. Be right back."
When you use your neighbors plants as props in your front porch picture and then get caught returning them.
Hope is the willful act
of resolutely declaring
in the face of evidence
to the contrary,
"this will be better,"
and then living
and working
like that's true.
-Justin McRoberts