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Photograph of Sophie Schillaci and her family at Cedars-Sinai, 2020
By: Tyree Boyd-Pates, Assoc. Curator of the Western History
Last week, our Collecting Community History Initiative: The West During COVID-19 highlighted a diverse and cultural array of Face Masks submissions that we've received from across the West. Similarly this week's blog post highlights the diversity of family photography across the West during COVID-19.
Across the West, shelter-in-place orders have been placed, causing significant interruptions to how families—and their routines—operate. Considerate of those families, we wanted to offer glimpses into how families are navigating quarantine during this moment, together. Here are several submissions and the stories behind them:
Kristina Sison, Culver City, CA: I live in a small studio by myself, so I've relied heavily on FaceTime and Zoom meetings. I've stayed home as much as I can and have enjoyed cooking more often for myself. I have enjoyed sitting on my stoop to get some fresh air and break up the monotony of only seeing the inside of my apartment, even though the view is of an empty lot and two porta-potties. I've sat in my lawn chair so many times. Some friends have also stopped by and said hello and sat 12 feet away, just for us to get our social interaction fix in. This fantastic photographer, Robiee Ziegler, started this photo series Makes Waves Project to document this time and how we are all just together and not alone. Yes, friendships are considered family too.
Anne Lovinger Earhart, Seattle, WA: I'm a photographer and have been documenting our children's experiences during this time, both homeschooling and the isolation from being unable to engage beyond the home space. It's been particularly hard on our toddler, who doesn't understand why he can't go outside as often as before or to preschool, and we can't explain things to him to help to understand.
Anne Lovinger Earhart, Seattle, WA: I'm a photographer and have been documenting our children's experiences during this time, both homeschooling and the isolation from being unable to engage beyond the home space. It's been particularly hard on our toddler, who doesn't understand why he can't go outside as often as before or to preschool, and we can't explain things to him to help to understand.
Melanie Bowerman, Portland, Oregon: The images I am including are portraits of me with my COVID-19 family holding many items that have become important to us for comfort, connection, and control during our time in Quarantine. The photos are also the outcome of my explorations with taking pictures and developing film at home while I cannot get film processed in a lab. I took these images with a Fuji GS645s camera on day 41 of quarantine with my housemates in front of our home, which for us, like most other people, has become the only place we feel comfortable now. We just made a bunch of flower bouquets with all the spring blooms around our house and in our yard. We are posing with homemade masks, Lysol wipes, Hawaiian sweet rolls, Nathan's hot dogs, Malta Goya soda, Chaga mushroom tea, cans of seltzer water, and gardening tools. These items, some of which we would have seldom used, needed, or eaten before the pandemic, are now central to our lives for various reasons. To me, these photos perfectly represent my rag-tag COVID family, and I will cherish these pictures forever.
Samantha Broxton, Irvine, CA: Thinking of all the mothers parenting in isolation. Of my mother, who parented through poverty, trauma, fear, and her own many personal rounds of spiritual warfare. I thank her for equipping me to be able to mother through the many obstacles the world has thrown our way.
Samantha Broxton, Irvine, CA: Thinking of all the mothers parenting in isolation. Of my mother, who parented through poverty, trauma, fear, and her own many personal rounds of spiritual warfare. I thank her for equipping me to be able to mother through the many obstacles the world has thrown our way.
Sophie Schillaci, North Hollywood, CA: I gave birth to my second child on March 27, 2020, during what felt like the height of uncertainty and panic surrounding the pandemic in Los Angeles. We ended up inducing early out of fear that partners would not be allowed in the delivery room, as was the case at the time in New York City. Photo 1 is a photo of my husband and I with our newborn son, being discharged from Cedars-Sinai with face masks on March 28, less than 48 hours after giving birth. Photo by Stephanie Loren Photography.
Each photo above offers an impression into how families—traditional and non-traditional—are bonding and creating routines during amidst the pandemic. Look out for more blog posts highlighting other submissions from our archive similar to this. We, The Autry, are excited to partner with you to log your account about the West during COVID-19.
See all posts from The Autry's Collecting Community History Initiative
The Autry Museum of American West acknowledges the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (the Los Angeles basin and So. Channel Islands). We recognize that the Autry Museum and its campuses are located on the traditional lands of Gabrielino/Tongva peoples and we pay our respects to the Honuukvetam (Ancestors), ‘Ahiihirom (Elders) and ‘Eyoohiinkem (our relatives/relations) past, present and emerging.
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