Family Sessions: The Front Porch Portraits Project

“Commemorating the Quarantine”

Remember how things felt at the beginning of quarantine? So many questions & unknowns, every time we turned on the news it felt like dooms day, a dark cloud was weighing over all of us, and we were just trying to find some light in this crazy season we were all in.

Finding a sense of purpose and joy was an essential part to getting out of the darkness and that is why I am so grateful for finding this project called “The Front Porch Portraits”. I came into connection with The Westchester Food Pantry and we both knew there was a need to help in any way that we could. So we teamed up along with another amazing photographer, Mike Eck. I donated my time photographing families in the west suburbs of Chicago, after the families received their front porch portraits, they would donate to the pantry who was in desperate need of helping so many hungry, out of work people in the community.

Over the course of 2 months last spring, I photographed 100 families and every single one of these families so generously donated towards this incredible cause. I shot thousands of frames, edited hundreds images, and delivered dozens of galleries. It was an incredibly humbling experience to see so many walks of life, with so many stories to tell, gathering together to help their community.

There was a father who was positive for COVID-19 while his wife was juggling 4 girls from 2-12 years old. A husband and police officer working overtime while his wife who, was a teacher, navigated remote learning for her classroom while homeschooling her twin daughters. There was a family that was supposed to be a Disney on the day of their Front Porch Portrait but even though COVID cancelled their vacation, they still brought so much joy and excitement to their session in full Disney attire. There were kids with disabilities, birthdays being celebrated, and new life coming into this crazy world. These amazing stories and incredible struggles these families have overcome. connections I’ve had the honor to make.

This pandemic forced us to press pause on all the noise. This was a time to be present in the moment and grateful for what we have. Because when we have each other, we have everything.

Because I love this project SO freaking much, I plan to continue the Front Porch Portraits to my new home in St Augustine, Florida. Keep an eye out because we will be booking up slots in December fast! Email me below to be considered for the next installment!

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