Freelance photographer and mum-of-two Francesca Nelson is documenting life in lockdown.
She’s been getting to know her neighbours by heading out and capturing portraits from people’s doorsteps, and chatting with them about how life is going amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The project was born out of an inability to do her usual work, as well as a desire for human interaction.
‘Not only am I homeschooling my two children but I now have a lot less time to get stuff done and that can be a challenge,’ Francesca tells Metro.co.uk. ‘I haven’t been able to work how I normally would which has meant photography for me has calmed down.
‘I’m so used to shooting people and being up close and personal and that just hasn’t been possible during this crisis.
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‘With not being able to work in my usual way I was craving some form of creativity, I wanted to pick up my camera and just capture.
‘Hearing of other peoples lockdown stories and working situations felt like a perfect way of coming together in community and connecting in a time of disconnection.’
To take each portrait, Francesca puts on her mask, sets up at a distance – further than the recommended two metres, as Francesca has asthma so is being especially cautious – and shouts out direction and questions.
‘I told all my neighbours about the project by popping little printed out written slips about it through their front doors,’ says Francesca. ‘I had very little in the way of responses to start with but those that have been involved have been really keen on the project and really enjoyed the idea of it.’
She’ll remember the interactions she’s had taking these portraits forever.
‘I have met some of the most genuine and friendly people through doing this project,’ she says. ‘It’s really restored my faith in the world in some ways.
‘What has surprised me has been how happy and grateful a lot of people are during this time. Families are coming together and making the most of this time we probably won’t experience in the same way again.
‘One family I shot with had recently experienced a death in the family, due to the coronavirus this meant no hugging other family members at the funeral and social distancing had to be upheld. When I met this family they were incredibly kind, very friendly and although they had experienced loss during this time they had this aura of calm and positivity around them, I won’t forget them in a hurry.’
As well as fulfilling Francesca creatively and allowing for social connection, the project is doing further good by raising money for Women’s Aid, with Francesca setting up a fundraiser and promoting it alongside her photos on her Instagram.
Take a look at her portraits so far – and stories from their subjects – below.
Mike and Nicola
Mike is working from home while Nicola is still having to physically go into a place of work.
‘Like everyone our lives have changed dramatically but we have had to adapt and make the most out of the situation,’ they say. ‘We will all come out of this eventually but wonder what the new world will look like.’
Tim, Jelena, and their daughter Loisa
Tim’s working from home while Jelena goes into her place of work once or twice a week to help vulnerable people at risk of homelessness, working from home for the rest of her days.
They have no childcare and no back garden.
‘It’s terrible seeing the misery of an invisible enemy and the hardship of lockdown,’ says Tim. ‘But I’ve learnt to count my blessings.
‘I used to joke with a colleague at work that I spent most of my life with them than family. This past month – I’ve worked and spent it all with my family.
‘Yes, I miss being amongst people, colleagues and seeing my wider family. And aspects of “normal” life like just being freely out and about.
‘But I also like this “new” way of doing things. While it’s not for everyone – I’m thankful to spend more time with my nearest and dearest, at a time when we need each other the most.’
Jelena adds: ‘We’re under lockdown because of the saddest circumstances. But as a mother to a toddler who’d otherwise be with the childminder during most weekdays, I’m so glad I can be around her at her every waking hour, keeping her safe, even as the world around us changes in ways I couldn’t have imagined.’
Kiefer, Natasha and Mouse
‘Lockdown hasn’t changed much for me to be honest,’ says Kiefer. ‘I’m a postman so I’m still going to work as normal – if anything I’m working more because we’re so short-staffed!
‘Overall I do think that the lockdown has been really good for a number of reasons. People are learning a new skill, spending some well-needed time with family, focusing on eating better and exercising and the world itself has been able to heal massively.
‘Personally, I don’t think it’s a bad idea to go into a lockdown every year (not for months, maybe just a week or two) for the benefit of the globe!’
Natasha adds: ‘Lockdown for me has highlighted my lack of work life balance. It’s crazy that it’s taken a pandemic for me to feel more relaxed. I feel embarrassed to say it! I hope that it doesn’t come across as insensitive as I know that there are people that are not so lucky and are having a horrendous time.
‘I think it has just given me a moment to stop and assess, but also with cautious hope that myself and my family stay healthy.’
Rebecca and Alani
Rebecca is a life coach and therapist working for the NHS from home.
‘Lockdown for me has highlighted how so many of us have been unwillingly forced to think about and face some of our painful thoughts, feelings, fears and traumas,’ she says. ‘Many of us have had more time to be at one with our thoughts and the difficulties we had been mentally avoiding from dealing with previously.
‘Personally, I’ve been using this time to do a lot of self-reflection, whilst supporting others to do the same.
‘I find the work I do so rewarding, especially at a time like this when fear, stress and anxiety have become comfortable feelings in response to all of this uncertainty.
‘For me, my form of therapy over the past couple of months has been spending time with my cat, Alani. She provides comfort and calm in the face of high anxiety, social isolation and loneliness.’
Debbie and Jenny
Debbie is a piano teacher now using her time volunteering on the phone for her local mutual aid, helping those who are vulnerable and at-risk during this crisis.
She says: ‘The lockdown for me, aside from all the really worrying news, hass been a positive time. It’s given me time to work in the garden, do the job properly and to volunteer, learning new skills.
‘We’ve all had to adjust, but there’s been a sense of community and connection as we go through stuff together.’
Tasha, Jason and their three-year-old son
Tasha and Jason are both working from home. They have no childcare and Tasha is eight months pregnant.
‘Well, lockdown was never a part of the pregnancy plan but I’m thankful I’m able to work from a sofa,’ says Tasha. ‘After the initial madness of trying to make everyone’s routines work together, working from home, keeping little one engaged and continuing his learning, staying on top of housework, adjusting birth plans and so forth, we pretty much just ended up adapting to each day and week as we need to and choosing family first.
‘Isolation isn’t normal way of life for most of us but we’re doing what we can to keep connected to friends and family. Also could not be more grateful for the sunshine!’
When asked how being at home with mum and dad is, Tasha and Jason’s son said: ‘Nice. Playing inside the house is nice. Playing football is nice. A little bit going outside in the garden. A little bit having a picnic in the house.’
Jack and Clare
Jack and Clare are both working from home.
‘We feel very fortunate that lockdown has been OK for us,’ say the couple. ‘We have spent the last two years DIY renovating our house and garden from scratch and this time has allowed us a chance to enjoy our hard work and finish off the last little jobs.
‘We already knew that this was a friendly street to live on, but lockdown has given us a chance to speak to more of our neighbours – both virtually and physically from a safe distance.’
Talah, Nick, and 18-month-old Lana
‘Part-time working but working all hours. Big eyebrows, questionable moustaches and one too many video calls, but still trying to take the time to have a scone in the sun.’
Leanne, Steve and their three children Finley (nine), Sophie (seven), and Albie (two)
Leanne and Steve are working from home. They are living with Leanne’s parents and have no childcare. Leanne is 22 weeks pregnant.
‘It’s a busy time at work,’ says Steve, a secondary school admissions officer, ‘but I’ve been able to work from home for the majority of the lockdown period, only having to go in to the school once a week.
‘Although challenging, lockdown has been an amazing experience for our family. Being a part of our children’s schooling (thankfully, my wife is a qualified teacher, so it has been brilliantly structured), exercising with them each morning, spending time with them cooking, gardening, painting etc has been a joy and a blessing.
‘We have become closer as a family and I will certainly remember this time we have had together.’
‘I work as a teacher in a preschool and have been fortunate enough to be able to work from home during this time,’ says Leanne. ‘While it’s been challenging, I’ve really loved this time that we’ve been able to spend together and we’ve been focusing on building our relationship as a family and making memories together.
‘I hope we never go back to “normal” and I’ll be making a real effort to keep some of the changes we’ve been forced to make, post-lockdown.’
The kids are loving lockdown life.
‘We’ve had lots of fun being off school,’ they say. ‘We do work in the morning and then we can play all afternoon.
‘I miss my friends at school, but I like being at home more!’
Paul, Reece and Izzie
‘We’ve been isolating since March 17th,’ says Paul, ‘although Reece is an intensive care nurse at Great Ormond Street Hospital so has been going in to work and has seen the effect of COVID 19 face-on, although it’s not been so bad for paediatrics, thank goodness!’
Reece adds: ‘Paul has been working from home and keeping busy – we’re lucky to have space, a garden and the Internet, our biggest worry will be breaking Izzie’s heart when we go back to normal and we’re not around 24/7.’
Ben, Alice, and three-month-old Isaac
Alice is on maternity leave. Ben is working from home in the nursery.
‘Lockdown is certainly not what we expected for the first year of parenthood,’ says Alice. ‘People prepare you for birth, breastfeeding and lack of sleep but no one could have warned us about the trickiness of tackling newborn life in lockdown.
‘We miss our family so much, some of who have never met our son, we feel like he might be missing out on some key experiences like meeting other babies and joining in the baby classes. I’m certainly missing out on all the cake and coffee which was promised.
‘Eseentially we miss the community that we were hoping would play a big role in our son’s life.
‘Ben is currently working from home which means he is around so much for these formative early years and is so hands on as a dad it has been such a lovely silver lining.
‘We have now celebrated Mother’s Day, our fifth wedding anniversary and a birthday in lockdown and we’re just trying to do our best to enjoy moments together as a family!’
Cecilia, Paddy, and six-month-old Willa
‘Our Willa is six months old so I am still on maternity leave for another six months and Paddy is finishing six months paternity leave next week,’ says Cecilia. ‘As we are both still on leave, day-to-day life has not changed that much since lockdown.
‘We were lucky to buy a house right before lockdown so have been able to use this time to work on the house. It has also been nice that we haven’t been busy rushing around and have had quality time to bond as a family.
‘We had Willa after four and half years of infertility and we were looking forward to sharing our happy sweet funny little girl with those we care about.
‘Unfortunately lockdown has meant Willa has not met many people that are special to us. If not for the lockdown we would be spending six weeks in the US with my family and friends. My mother especially is incredibly sad to miss this time with Willa and I can understand this as Willa may be her only grandchild.
‘We have also sadly lost Paddy’s mother a few weeks ago and it has been difficult for us not to be with his family in this time of grief.’
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source https://metro.co.uk/2020/05/23/photographer-gets-know-neighbours-taking-socially-distanced-doorstep-portraits-12746670/
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