Like so many people around the world, Nicola and I found ourselves unexpectedly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We had travelled to the United States to spend six weeks with my parents, but before we could return home, international flights were cancelled, and we suddenly found ourselves stranded.

One day, while scrolling through Facebook, I came across a post from a fellow photographer who had been creating "porch portraits" while maintaining a safe social distance. I immediately fell in love with the idea. It was the perfect opportunity to continue doing something I am passionate about while giving back to the wonderful neighborhood where my parents live and where we were temporarily staying.

I designed a simple flyer and delivered it to the neighborhood mailboxes, inviting families to participate in complimentary porch portrait sessions. I was delighted when emails started coming in from families who wanted to be part of the project.

We scheduled times throughout the day, and I photographed each family from the street while they remained on their front porch, ensuring that everyone could stay safe and socially distanced. Each session was short, with just enough photographs to capture this unique moment in history and create lasting memories during an incredibly uncertain time.

Every family had their own reason for taking part. Some wanted to celebrate graduating seniors who would miss out on traditional graduation ceremonies, while others simply wanted to create a joyful family memory or share a few laughs together during an otherwise difficult season. Whatever their reason, it was a privilege to meet so many wonderful people and to provide them with something positive to remember from such an unprecedented time.

These porch portraits became far more than photographs—they became reminders of resilience, connection, and hope during a period when the world felt anything but normal.

I hope you enjoy some of my favorite images from this special project.