I have been spending a lot of time in my head these days.
Feeling very grateful for our 113-year-old brick sanctuary. Flea-market-sourced books from my dad, a vase from our Cretan honeymoon, a coconut bowl from my time studying abroad in Thailand, and a couple of framed pictures of us as a new family make this space in our home more than just a place to dine. It’s important for me to surround myself with artifacts that remind me of specific moments. I lean on these found objects and treasures in times of uncertainty. They center me and reiterate the fact that I’m allowed to have complex thoughts and emotions, that it’s okay to feel more than one thing at the same time.
These reflections have prompted me to reach out to five fellow STL photographers. I’ve asked them to produce a media piece in/of their home and share a few thoughts on what it means to create during this time of uneasiness.
1) Judd Demaline | Insta: @iamjudd_demaline
“Hustle.
That was a word I lived by. From the day I found out my wife was pregnant I have done my best to not stop hustling. Now, everyone says, “slow-down” — it’s a surreal world we find ourselves in compared to four weeks ago. Honestly, I’m okay with it. This world has always been scary; but now, its a little calmer, actions are more intentional, words carry more meaning because it’s all we have. Trust is more important than it has ever been. Routine is becoming a word used by everyone, not just fitness gurus. I’ve found solace, and space, in routine.
A pandemic is as good a time as any for a paradigm shift. I found medicine in self-care. Each morning the routine is meditation, yoga/breath work (checkout Wim Hoff for breath-work, he’s incredible) journaling, and then coffee - normally my daughter and I would have a pretty intense morning commute to deal with but without the commute we’ve added a morning walk, and an afternoon walk on most days. These little slices of joy make it way easier to pickup a camera and chase the light.
Everyday I wake up, light a candle and sit here in this spot in front of these windows and I look toward the woods for a gentle reminder: trees, much like people, grow, twist, and contort in many ways and all we can do is accept them for how beautiful they are and realize that noting is permanent. This time we’ve been given has provided me an opportunity to search deep within myself and evaluate what has been serving me and what has not. I much prefer these days of routine and adventure with my family. I like trying out new techniques, toy camera lenses, new lighting styles, and I enjoy remembering the journey of following the light that lead me to this life. The world is quieter now and it’s okay to slow down and enjoy it. Hustle is something I’ve done for years, but it doesn’t serve me; it limits me. It limits my time with the people I love the most — why hustle when slowing down is so much more beautiful?”
2) Jennifer Silverberg | jennifersilverberg.com | Insta: @jennsilverberg
“Everyone is talking about the new normal. I really cannot even fathom what that means right now. I am definitely in a ‘one-day-at-a-time’ mode, but trying to keep my eye on the bigger picture. What this all means for my business, I am unsure… but I am looking to how to position myself now, as well as what it will mean for my business in the future. I am assessing, playing with new-to-me techniques, and planning….
But, really - business aside - my happiest moments are being outside on my deck, with my cat, planting tons of herbs and other plants. Being outside, breathing the fresh air, getting my hands dirty in the earth, that is my fuel and my therapy. I miss shooting, I miss my team, and I miss my clients (terribly.) Yet, I am also struggling with trying to feel creative. Some days are clearly better than others. Thankfully the good days seem to be winning the race against the bad ones. I am learning to accept the bad ones… not wallow, but to let them exist. I mean… we’re in the middle of a freakin’ pandemic… wtf?!?!?!
I am cooking more, seeing my husband more, and enjoying life in my new home/studio. There seems to be a pretty incredible amount of work to do, as always, even though I’m not working for my clients. All of the other tasks that go into our lives as photographers that isn’t the shoot itself still exist. So, I move forward, with the quiet optimism that this too shall pass.”
3) Theo Welling | theowelling.com | Insta: @theorwelling
“Well, I have just been reducing as much as I can lately. Just getting rid of things I don’t absolutely need. Sorting through those boxes from 3+ moves now. It’s been good in that sense. Although, I have been ruminating about things… how I wish I was being more productive with applying for this, or editing that, or cleaning this, or calling that person, but I’m just trying to take it day-by-day and week-by-week.
In some ways, as terrible as this pandemic is, I’m glad I have had time to work on all of the things I’ve put off. It’s literally like a break from just producing for several years now and not stopping. To be honest, I haven’t been doing much with my business outside of looking at the loans and stimulus that’s potentially coming? Who knows? But I think that’s okay. I’m saddened by the people who have real hardships right now, or illnesses. I hope we can all take this time to learn something. A teacher once said to me, ‘If you’re bored, learn something.’ That’s what I try to do every day if I can.”
4) Lauren Muckler | laurenmucklerphotography.com | Insta: @laurenmuckler
“The silver lining of this virus is being at home with my kids. While it is challenging at times, it really allows me to soak up the time with them and capture everyday moments that I wouldn’t usually make the effort to photograph. While I’m constantly documenting others’ precious life moments, I need to remember to slow down and make sure I capture my own kids.
Whether you are a professional photographer or a mom with a camera, this is a great time to plan an activity with the kids our loved ones and photograph it, even if it is as simple as bath time. This is an unprecedented moment in history, and your kids will ask about it one day. What a better way than to explain than to show them the memories?”
5) Alex Kendall | alexskendall.com | Insta: @alexkendallphotography
“Where to begin? Each year this is a peak time for my business, and all of that has shifted over the last two months. What should have been a period of growth and monetary gains has turned into pulling from savings and stressing about not having an end in sight. The Coronavirus has turned this world and our lives upside down and changed our day-to-day in such a short period of time. It is stressful not having a plan for when we can return to a new “normal.“
I miss people. This is the one thing that I have realized thus far. I miss seeing my crew and meeting people on set. I miss meeting for coffee or planning a night out. Most of all, I miss working. I miss having a purpose to create work and a client to share it with.
However, that does not mean positives cannot come out of this situation. This forced downtime has given me the opportunity to rethink my business and fill in the gaps for things I have been putting off or not having the time to really sit down and plan. I have begun to add 3D design and modeling to my skill se, as well as planning a large personal project that I would love to complete during this time. I have rethought branding and my website and I’m actively working to update all aspects of it. I have also in my personal downtime been cooking more and started experimenting with recipes I have always wanted to try. And even though we cannot physically be around each other, I have found the time and enjoyment of seeing my friends and family over video chat that I may not have seen as regularly in the usual daily life.
The one guy who is really loving this quarantine is Meatball, my cat and best bud. I am stuck by myself, but Meatball and I are getting on just perfectly.
It is corny to wrap up with “we are all in this together,” but we really are. We have seen our community come together to support those in need and rally to share our talents and keep that support going. I do not know when this will be over, but in the meantime, I will take it day-by-day and do what I can to stay positive and healthy.”