jb_graphy

05/09/2020

For more reasons than just wrestling the cat into the photo: this is a family of strength. Through all types of adversity, they remain strong - their joyous demeanors never falter. Through all that life may bring, they are here for their community.

While at this session - my allergies started doing their thing. Sneezing, eyes tearing-up - the basic annoyances of a beautiful Spring day. As mine started, so did this boy’s. Besides sharing a name - we also share the same allergies. It was the topic of many of our conversations at the school. One little league season, I brought my EMS crew to cheer him and his team on at their game. It was the first time that I realized how important building a sense of community was. Distance learning is showing me that again - in an entirely new way. Remind others how important they are in the World, not just their school, place of work, or friend group.

05/08/2020

As a triplet, I definitely recognize this porch-rait session. There’s a natural slide from the classic family photo, to the happy brothers photo, to the inevitable wrestling-covered-in-dirt photo. Each morning at school, these twins would walk through the front entrance and - regardless of how they were feeling that morning - would wish me a good morning, and ask how I was doing. These brothers and their family care about those around them, and they’re here for their community.

One of things I miss is standing with my colleagues at the front entrance to say good morning to the incoming bed-headed students. I found it a way to gauge the school’s climate. Who’s happy, who may need some support, who’s new, who’s upset. We’re rapidly figuring out other ways to do this, but for now - it’s up to everyone to gauge your own climates. Your family, friends, kids, neighbors - how is everyone doing?

A free community photography project with just one focus: help your community. Sponsored by the Redding Elementary School PTA, this project aims to support the Redding community that I grew up in.

All sessions are done pro-bono, but families have the option to donate food to the food pantry, support a local business, or otherwise help their neighbors.

All photos are taken from socially-distant locations.

05/07/2020

Under the blooms of their trees and with the small farm in the background, this family is here for their community.

Being able to go rogue a little bit at each house has been a fun way to stretch the imagination of this project. Sometimes, there is no porch, or the front steps are too high or cluttered, or there’s simply other spaces at the home to take a beautiful snapshot of this moment. Trees in bloom have been acting like wonderful light diffusers, adding color and definition. Why not use them?

Redding AND Westport: Join the movement! No charge - just do something good for your community. https://www.jb-graphy.com/porch-raits

04/29/2020

I pulled into Amanda’s driveway for a surprise photo-session (fact: nobody likes a surprise photo session.) This is one of my best friends since fourth grade, so she understands my lack of time management, and went with it. I remained distant from her, her house, and her family. “Get away” we joke - but also - we mean it. With her senior year essays being completed from Redding instead of her Burlington apartment, I imagine everyone else my age who will go forward with the infamous title as “Class of 2020”. Amanda is making it work, as is every member of the Class of 2020, and they’re here for their communities

I never found social distance to be tough, until I started visiting houses that I’ve always walked into, or meeting kids who don’t quite understand. I’ve had to back away from a child trying to give me a hug - another left a flower on her driveway so that she could give it to me without contact. These are the things that will forever be part of my memory.

04/29/2020

The new American portrait. There’s something so iconic about everything in this picture - the sanitizer, gloves, masks, right down to the distance learning ChromeBooks and endless coffee. All tools of the trade when it comes to both surviving and thriving under quarantine. With humor and levity, this family is here for their community.

Seeing the families in my school’s community has been so much fun. Goofy and so full of life - some of the things that everyone misses about their schools.

04/27/2020

This bright-eyed little human and her family allowed me to visit my favorite corner of Redding while visiting their home (front yard). Traveling over a narrow bridge that sits above a deep chasm of rushing water, I found them and the joy that they hold. I’ve passed their home hundreds of times - but never took the time to appreciate the beauty of the raw nature surrounding it, and never thinking of the people who live within it. This picture was taken just before heading up to their front steps for the famous “porch-rait post” - a moment of spontaneity; feeling the grass below us on what was a warm Spring day after her nap. I hope more families focus on moments like this - barefoot in the grass, sun warming their skin, going with the flow moment-by-moment. This family is here for their community, one moment at a time.
I’m so happy to meet the families who live in the homes I’ve passed for most of my life. Time to slow down - as if we can truly go anywhere right now - and time to stop and smell the roses - or at least feel the grass beneath us.

12/30/2019

12/30/2019

12/30/2019

Tokyo & Kyoto