My personal take on the time during The Lockdonw of the world
When the news hit that Ireland is being locked down due to the pandemic I honestly have to say I thought it would be over soon and that we could go back to normal.
Well we all know how that worked out. After a few weeks in I was confused and felt a little lost in my day to day as all the projects I always wanted to do were pretty much done, the end of the lockdown though seamed very far away.
Through my dear cousin Olga, I found out about the speechless.pro commitment calls. How it worked was that German speaking people from all over the world got together for a conference call on Zoom to brainstorm. Yes! To brainstorm trying to find a way to manoeuvre their businesses through the pandemic. After my first call I had to take on a commitment I would try to full fill for a certain amount of time. I really wanted to do something new to me and connect with people. Something, about the time in the pandemic, I could remember that’s positive and fun. I also wanted it to be about creativity and giving back instead of profit.
At that time I’ve seen photographers all over the world doing virtual photoshoots, so I decided to try my take on it. And there they were, my Lockdown 2020 Portraits.
I took portraits of people from all over the world on an online conference platform. First it was a little strange but at the same time I enjoyed it so so much.
From the different light qualities, the interior of the homes I was virtually invited to, and of course the different personalities. Every shoot was different and an amazing chance for me to get creative.
These are some of my highlights from the Lockdown 2020 Portraits.
Olga
„ Nelliiii ... you gotta do it!“ She’s the reason why I did this.
She kept encouraging me until I kicked that inner „Schweinehund“ and overcame my weaker self, got out of my comfort zone and just did it. Thank you for pushing me and of course the confetti to celebrate the start of an amazing journey. @olgahomering.
Stacey
She’s an actress, loves to bake the most amazing cakes. Being all happy and bubbly now, she’s been through ups and downs in the past on her journey becoming and living life as her true self. Very inspiring! @staceytereseannellis
Jenny
Her laughter is contagious. @jennygajewiak
Kaitlyn
“I started dancing when I was 4 and I never stopped,” she said while tying up her pointe shoes during our session. @kaitlyn_mcdermitt
Chris
He’s a coach focusing on change and how to define it for yourself individually. @christoph_habermann
He also has a podcast in German interviewing people surrounding that topic. VeränderungsRaum check it out.
Yvonne J.
She such a happy person! I have rarely met anyone who’s always smiling just like her. @yvonnejungfotografie
Patrick
One of the founding members of @speechless.pro. As a fellow photographer he’s “collecting moments” @momentesammler.pro
Anja with her Boys
She and her husband sold their house to travel and show their son the world. You can follow her journey on @anjafutter.
Yvonne S.
She surprised me with her spontaneity and her complete openness for the adventure of an online photoshoot. @yve_stoffel
Gabi
A woman I admire. @www.theaterwerk-bodensee.de
Anna
Besides operating her cut management and fashion design business, she hand sewed hundreds of face coverings for one of her clients who ordered them for their employees. @anna.ganje
Robyn
As a member of the @riverdance cast she was touring the UK when Corona hit the world. @robyn_connolly
Nadine & Thomas
Highschool Sweethearts turned Newlyweds. @nan0uk
This project kept me going for weeks and gave me a reason to be excited every day. All my gratitude goes to all the people who participated in my lockdown project. Opening up their virtual doors, showing me around their homes and sometimes even moving furniture to find the perfect spot for their portrait was amazing. I have met so many wonderful souls and have learned so much from them. If it wasn’t for the pandemic I would have never adapted this concept, I’d never have “traveled” from Ireland to Austria, Germany, Australia and the USA in such a short amount of time. It was an amazing journey which I’m deeply grateful for. Definitely a positive memory to look back at.
Nelli XO
