What.A.Year. or eternity depending on the day you ask! 

It's hard to believe that a year ago today, we were only a few weeks into this pandemic. There was so much uncertainty and fear and life as we knew it came to a screeching halt. Suddenly our homes became much more than a place to sleep and grab a quick meal between running from one place to the next. Our homes were the only place we felt safe and could breath easily. 

The Front Porch Project spread nationwide with the intent of safely capturing photos of families during this historic time. When have we ever, or will we ever, spend so much time at home together? All that togetherness certainly came with its challenges but now we can see all the blessings it brought, too.  

I rarely take photos in front of homes unless a family is moving, but these photos..., these photos capture families safe at home. I will always remember the sheer joy it brought me to see these smilies through my long lens standing on the sidewalk and the families being so excited to have a reason to put on real clothes or not, because anything went for these photos! Many incorporated props like disinfecting wipes and toilet paper and whatever they were doing to pass the time at home. History. It was history in the making.

Participating in this project wasn't just a creative outlet for me to get through lock down; it was a way to support my community. I captured 70 families while I walked in my neighborhood and each one donated to either the Waunakee Food Pantry or Waunakee Neighborhood Connection, providing hundreds of dollars to support those in our community who were hit hardest when so many businesses had to close or completely change how they operated. 

I will never regret capturing these photos just as we will never forget this past year.