#frontporchproject

While in quarantine, I think around the sixth consecutive day of home photo shoots, my daughter got tired of me taking so many photos of her while she studied or played. My wife presented me with the ingenius idea of having neighbors and clients come to our driveway for Easter pics using our grass backdrop and some Easter themed props. While I mulled that idea, we were asked to be part of a photo series about dealing with life while sheltering in place.

From a safe distance, our friend, amazing photographer Erik Umphrey shot photos of my family reviewing my daughter’s kindergarten work, while working from home ourselves, for a series about how people are coping with the “new normal”. Around that same time, another one of my favorite photographers, Darby Rose, started posting photos of the #frontporchproject that she shot in her neighborhood.

Shortly thereafter, the idea of the #frontporchproject was floated on my neighborhood Facebook page. I volunteered to shoot, and before I knew it, my neighbors swung into action, creating a signup sheet and organizing my route.

On Saturday, April 11th, I took photos at 18 homes in my neighborhood and I met neighbors that I might not have otherwise necessarily met.

Prior to April 11th, I hadn’t left my neighborhood since Saturday, March 14th, and other than a few bike rides to the end of our street, I hadn’t really left home.

Armed with a custom mask provided by my wife, and my trusty Nikon D750, I walked from home to home and from more than a safe distance in yards, driveways and from sidewalks, I shot photos of my wonderfully supportive neighbors and their families, nearly all of whom are just trying to keep a smile on things during such times of uncertainty.

In addition to the great conversations that were had, and the connections that were made, in lieu of payment, if they were so inclined, my neighbors asked what entity they could donate to in my honor. Naturally, I chose the Morehouse College Student Emergency Fund. Imagine my absolute pride in seeing the names of my neighbors on our donor wall.

I’m so happy that I did this, and it has inspired me creatively in countless ways. I’m so grateful to my wife for inspiring me to do something different that will positively affect others.

Wherever you are in the world, please do everything that you can to stay safe.