This week Tina is the host of the Lens-Artists Challenge and she has chosen the theme of “Creativity in the Time of Covid” 

https://travelsandtrifles.wordpress.com/2020/08/15/lens-artists-challenge-110-creativity-in-the-time-of-covid/

Back in March, when I began to realize how serious this epidemic was, I decided that I wanted to do something to document these historic times that we are living in. Over the course of six weeks I photographed thirty families in Willow Glen, my neighborhood in San Jose, California. I stayed at a very safe distance and the families were on their porches or in their yards.

All that I asked in return for the portrait session was that the families make a donation to a charity that is helping families during these difficult time.

The final phase of the project was to create the book and make it available for purchase. I have a copy for each of my grandchildren and I hope that many years from now they will share it with their children and grandchildren when they ask, “What was it like living through the Great Pandemic of 2020”? The small profits will be donated to the charity that I am involved with, the EMQ Auxiliary.

Between learning about portrait photography, compiling the book and managing sales I really tapped into my creativity! The highlight was when I was able to turn a 3-year-old temper tantrum into a prancing little model, complete with pretty pink outfit, lunchbox and preschool backpack! If you’d like to see a preview the book or learn more, let me know in a comment and I’ll get back to you.