Life On Pause

This is Chris, Issa and their daughter Nicole. "We all tested positive. This has sucked. It’s taken away human interactions, family, good friends….everything is difficult. You feel stuck because you can’t get out into the world to do anything; sometimes we’re depressed, sometimes sad. When we tested positive you’re thinking the worst. Our daughter had no symptoms at all but Issa had it bad. She had it for a month and still feels lingering effects. 'Sometimes it’s worse and sometimes I feel nothing, like, oh! I’m coming back, my body is coming back! It’s exhausting, I’m tired of the pain, tired of the medicine…but it’s OK, I’m fine, I’m alive.' We just want it to be over to experience humanity!” . . . The world has shifted to a new normal. Each day brings difficult news of the seriousness of the time ahead. These are unprecedented moments we are living through. One camera,one lens. I’m being safe and social distancing. These are the days that bring us together no matter how we are physically apart. . . . #lifeonpause #socialdistancing #quarantine #stayhealthy #stayhome #staystrong #newnormal #thenewnormal #stayathome #losangeles #photography #blackandwhite #bnw #bnwseries #photostory #photoessay #bnwphotos #bnwphotographer #contemporaryphotography #selfquarantine #selfisolation #pandemic #lifeathome #covid19 #coronavirus #lockdown #socialdistancingphotography #lifeinquarantine #quarantinelife @theworkbookphoto @atedge @photopolitic @komyoon @altpick @dougtruppe @foundartists @luerzersarchive

This is Amanda, Cary and their sons. “Our family unit has gotten much tighter. We’ve been really fortunate. It’s been such a challenging time. As the pandemic hit we were just coming out of a couple of years that were super difficult. We had a lot of momentum and things were happening: creative projects, our kids were getting involved in exciting things at school...all of that came to a grinding halt. I kept telling myself that something really good is going to come out of this time. And many good things have. We get to eat lunch together, we spend a lot more time together, we cook a lot more. We started to do things we had always talked about doing. I had planned to start a bakery a year before the pandemic and began making gluten free bread for friends and family and it blossomed. Without this time that may not have happened as easily as it has. I’m a ninth generation Angelino and a descendant of Agustin Olvera who married into a really old California family. My second great grandmother was born in an adobe on the Ballona ranch land that’s just a stones throw from where we are. Learning more about my heritage, calling the bakery after this land just felt so right. This time to go inward and see what is most important to us has been such a gift. In so many ways I see this as a really profound time for humanity to take a pause and pay attention to what’s most important globally." . . . The world has shifted to a new normal. Each day brings difficult news of the seriousness of the time ahead. These are unprecedented moments we are living through. One camera, one lens. I’m being safe and social distancing. These are the days that bring us together no matter how we are physically apart. . . . #lifeonpause #socialdistancing #quarantine #stayhealthy #stayhome #staystrong #newnormal #thenewnormal #stayathome #losangeles #photography #blackandwhite #bnw #bnwseries #photostory #photoessay #bnwphotos #bnwphotographer #contemporaryphotography #selfquarantine #selfisolation #pandemic #lifeathome #covid19 #coronavirus #lockdown #lifeinquarantine #quarantinelife @theworkbookphoto @atedge @photopolitic @komyoon @altpick @dougtruppe @foundartists @luerzersarchive

This is Mirtala, Erick and their mother Maria. Mirtala: “It’s been a time for growth and exploration. My covid journey has changed a lot. At first we were at home 24/7, I wasn’t leaving the house...except for my morning run - for me that was something that really helped me feel like there was something I could control. I had moved from NYC to LA last year to work in the cannabis industry and was fortunate to find work this year: I became an essential worker. Thankfully for us I feel we’ve been coping ok, but it’s hard seeing other people struggle, people in less fortunate situations.” Erick: “Those first months we would wake up and have breakfast, all of us, at a table, and that was really good. Waking up, having food, the fact that we sat down, all of us, that was good. I feel for a lot of our neighbors who are struggling. I feel really bad about that. I know it’s not a good time for the world but for me it’s been a good time to reflect on family, to rest, and to catch up on a lot of things that I’ve been wanting to do at home.” Maria: “ Al principio, sí, me gustaba porque como estábamos los cuatro y siempre comíamos juntos. Y sí se sentía bonito. Pero ya acabo que pasaron los días y los meses…Hay días que me sentía muy aburrida, estar aquí en la casa...solo de la cama a la cocina, de la cocina a la cama.” . . . The world has shifted to a new normal. Each day brings difficult news of the seriousness of the time ahead. These are unprecedented moments we are living through. One camera,one lens. I’m being safe and social distancing. These are the days that bring us together no matter how we are physically apart. . . . #lifeonpause #socialdistancing #quarantine #stayhealthy #stayhome #staystrong #newnormal #thenewnormal #stayathome #losangeles #photography #blackandwhite #bnw #bnwseries #photostory #photoessay #bnwphotos #bnwphotographer #contemporaryphotography #selfquarantine #selfisolation #pandemic #lifeathome #covid19 #coronavirus #lockdown #socialdistancingphotography #lifeinquarantine #quarantinelife @theworkbookphoto @atedge @photopolitic @komyoon @altpick @dougtruppe @foundartists @luerzersarchive

This is Ashley and Gertie. “It’s a weird time, but I try to stay positive. I think the best way to get through it is to focus on what I’m really grateful for. I’ve had the opportunity to foster a number of dogs and Gertie was one of them. I don’t know where I’d be in the pandemic without her. She’s brought so much joy and serves as a daily reminder to find reasons to smile. I’ve always been an introspective person, but this isolation has brought my level of self-examination and self-reflection to the next level. It’s given me time to re-evaluate what’s important. When life is going on as normal it’s easy to get distracted by shiny things. I had become accustomed to relying on external factors and other people to make me happy, but if the past 9 months have taught me anything it’s that, at the end of the day, the only person I should depend on for my own happiness is myself. When you live alone, you have to be a person that you like, because there’s no one else around! So you have to be content with who you are and what you’re doing otherwise you’ll be miserable. I’ve been pleasantly surprised that I kind of like myself and I don’t mind spending time alone…" . . . The world has shifted to a new normal. Each day brings difficult news of the seriousness of the time ahead. Shooting from outside through the front door or window & into the space of quarantine revealing our lives apart and together. These are unprecedented momentsp we are living through. One camera, one lens. I’m being safe and social distancing. These are the days that bring us together no matter how we are physically apart. . . . #lifeonpause #socialdistancing #quarantine #stayhealthy #stayhome #staystrong #newnormal #thenewnormal #stayathome #losangeles #photography #blackandwhite #bnw #bnwseries #photostory #photoessay #bnwphotos #bnwphotographer #contemporaryphotography #selfquarantine #selfisolation #pandemic #lifeathome #covid19 #coronavirus #lockdown #socialdistancingphotography #lifeinquarantine #quarantinelife @theworkbookphoto @atedge @photopolitic @komyoon @altpick @dougtruppe @foundartists @luerzersarchive

This is Liz and Dave and their twins. “When the pandemic started, the babies were only a few months old and with two it is so, so difficult. For a few of those early months, we couldn't get anyone to help. Our babysitter and our parents didn't feel comfortable being around the babies during the stay-at-home order. For three months, it was just the four of us, mainly me with the babies because Dave's job went on per usual. All of my work as a photo stylist was cancelled and it forced me to stay home. Fortunately, the timing worked out for me, having just had the infants. The bummer was that my family, brother and sister were not able to come and visit the twins. I'm a homebody by nature. It's difficult to go anywhere with two infants, believe me. I don't mind wearing a mask— in some ways I prefer going to the store with a mask because no one knows who I am. I used my extra time during the pandemic to start a new import business which is completely e-commerce. I had long wanted to start a new venture and the timing worked out perfectly. Overall, things have worked out for us. I am extremely grateful for that! I know that is not the case for everyone, especially here in LA. We are fortunate." . . . The world has shifted to a new normal. Each day brings difficult news of the seriousness of the time ahead. Shooting from outside through the front door or window & into the space of quarantine revealing our lives apart and together. These are unprecedented moments we are living through. One camera, one lens. I’m being safe and social distancing. These are the days that bring us together no matter how we are physically apart. . . . #lifeonpause #socialdistancing #quarantine #stayhealthy #stayhome #staystrong #newnormal #thenewnormal #stayathome #losangeles #photography #blackandwhite #bnw #bnwseries #photostory #photoessay #bnwphotos #bnwphotographer #contemporaryphotography #selfquarantine #selfisolation #pandemic #lifeathome #covid19 #coronavirus #lockdown #socialdistancingphotography #lifeinquarantine #quarantinelife @theworkbookphoto @atedge @photopolitic @komyoon @altpick @dougtruppe @foundartists @luerzersarchive

This is George, Darlene and their son Jake. "So much has changed since March 12th, when I landed at LAX and got the email that the offices were closing until further notice. The virus is such a terrible thing, but being truly ‘home' and present with my family has been irreplaceable. I feel bad saying it’s a blessing because there are so many people suffering but I remember from the beginning of this pandemic – it sure is nice not to have to travel, to be home all the time with the ones you love, not to be halfway around the world worrying about what’s going on…we’re all together. In the meantime we try our best to mask up, stay safe and appreciate what we have." . . . The world has shifted to a new normal. Each day brings difficult news of the seriousness of the time ahead. Shooting from outside through the front door or window & into the space of quarantine revealing our lives apart and together. These are unprecedented moments we are living through. One camera, one lens. I’m being safe and social distancing. These are the days that bring us together no matter how we are physically apart. . . . #lifeonpause #socialdistancing #quarantine #stayhealthy #stayhome #staystrong #newnormal #thenewnormal #stayathome #losangeles #photography #blackandwhite #bnw #bnwseries #photostory #photoessay #bnwphotos #bnwphotographer #contemporaryphotography #selfquarantine #selfisolation #pandemic #lifeathome #covid19 #coronavirus #lockdown #socialdistancingphotography #lifeinquarantine #quarantinelife @theworkbookphoto @atedge @photopolitic @komyoon @altpick @dougtruppe @foundartists @luerzersarchive

This is Brian and Sushanna, "At first it was an opportunity to get a lot of work done….on the store, the building, the environment. It hasn’t been until the last month for me to get to a point where a lot of people were months ago. Now it’s affecting my emotional state. I’m Done. I’m finally hitting the wall. I ran a yoga studio for 20 years, it was the heartbeat of Topanga, that place. I never thought it would be shut down. I have a hundred emails from people whose lives were changed there, it was heartbreaking. It was part of who I am in this community. Sushanna: “I saw the difficulty right away. My whole work situation changed. Everything stopped and it was reality for me. It was hard for me to slow down. And then I accepted that it’s different now, it’s continuing...and we just hunker down and try to still enjoy things that we can. I know that it’s getting worse and I’m just doing my best, it’s constant inward self-work. And now it’s a new reality: we just taught a yoga class on this property this morning." . . . The world has shifted to a new normal. Each day brings difficult news of the seriousness of the time ahead. Shooting from outside through the front door or window & into the space of quarantine revealing our lives apart and together. These are unprecedented moments we are living through. One camera, one lens. I’m being safe and social distancing. These are the days that bring us together no matter how we are physically apart. . . . #lifeonpause #socialdistancing #quarantine #stayhealthy #stayhome #staystrong #newnormal #thenewnormal #stayathome #losangeles #photography #blackandwhite #bnw #bnwseries #photostory #photoessay #bnwphotos #bnwphotographer #contemporaryphotography #selfquarantine #selfisolation #pandemic #lifeathome #covid19 #coronavirus #lockdown #socialdistancingphotography #lifeinquarantine #quarantinelife @theworkbookphoto @atedge @photopolitic @komyoon @altpick @dougtruppe @foundartists @luerzersarchive

This is Jamie, Eric and their sons. “One of the biggest challenges of this time was adjusting our family’s pace - we've never been homebodies. My husband and children have wildly creative, fun personalities and the word “bored” is rarely heard. We're discovering new ways to make our own fun and watching new traditions be born. We may drive each other insane, but there’s nobody else we’d rather be stuck with." Eric: "In the midst of this madness, we’ve learned to take solace in the small joys – like playing games together. The back-and-forth of air hockey for some may feel like a metaphor of this experience, but for us, it’s just been good fun and a great way to pass the time together." . . . The world has shifted to a new normal. Each day brings difficult news of the seriousness of the time ahead. Shooting from outside through the front door or window & into the space of quarantine revealing our lives apart and together. These are unprecedented moments we are living through. One camera, one lens. I’m being safe and social distancing. These are the days that bring us together no matter how we are physically apart. . . . #lifeonpause #socialdistancing #quarantine #stayhealthy #stayhome #staystrong #newnormal #thenewnormal #stayathome #losangeles #photography #blackandwhite #bnw #bnwseries #photostory #photoessay #bnwphotos #bnwphotographer #contemporaryphotography #selfquarantine #selfisolation #pandemic #lifeathome #covid19 #coronavirus #lockdown #socialdistancingphotography #lifeinquarantine #quarantinelife @theworkbookphoto @atedge @photopolitic @komyoon @altpick @dougtruppe @foundartists @luerzersarchive

This is Cory, Michelle and their daughter. “I’ve lived here 20 years and I only knew neighbors in passing. My wife rigged this garage up to be a central playspace and it’s become this neighborhood hub. Through quarantine we got to know all these people around us: there’s kids over there, kids here, kids there…It’s been kind of a nice bonding experience. I could talk about negatives for a month but I like that there’s this one little glimmer of happiness in this whole thing. So now we’ve got people that we’re really close with. There’s good stuff to be found through this coming together.” Michelle: “I think it’s kind of surreal with the pause of everything and everything that’s broken has been brought to light. I’m hoping that we don’t go back to just how it was. As much as I know that it's hard for some people I’m enjoying the pausing and being home with my daughter. I was already making a career shift and it was put on pause as well. So now I’m rethinking what further career shifts can happen that will keep this lifestyle of having more family time.” . . . The world has shifted to a new normal. Each day brings difficult news of the seriousness of the time ahead. Shooting from outside through the front door or window & into the space of quarantine revealing our lives apart and together. These are unprecedented moments we are living through. One camera, one lens. I’m being safe and social distancing. These are the days that bring us together no matter how we are physically apart. . . . #lifeonpause #socialdistancing #quarantine #stayhealthy #stayhome #staystrong #newnormal #thenewnormal #stayathome #losangeles #photography #blackandwhite #bnw #bnwseries #photostory #photoessay #bnwphotos #bnwphotographer #contemporaryphotography #selfquarantine #selfisolation #pandemic #lifeathome #covid19 #coronavirus #lockdown #socialdistancingphotography #lifeinquarantine #quarantinelife @theworkbookphoto @atedge @photopolitic @komyoon @altpick @dougtruppe @foundartists @luerzersarchive

This is Cici my favorite voter, my wife, voting absentee! We were so relieved and full of hope with today’s election. When the pandemic started it brought a breast cancer diagnosis. We went to comedy shows 3 nights in a row & some of the comedians we met those nights are in this series. A few days later L.A. was shut down & the streets were deserted. When she went to Cedars for dozens of appointments and radiation treatments I wasn’t allowed inside. That was when there were tables and security guards blocking every entrance. All along she had been fighting to put chronic lyme in remission again. What a hard year. She drove to her IV treatments today, election day, everything boarded up & statues wrapped for whatever is to come. So grateful that she’s getting better... and for all those restrictions that keep her safe! “The pandemic also brought positives.... wonderful new friends the butterfly garden named for the unique cast of characters...farm boxes, learning to cook, bonding with lovely neighbors & tons of chess & backyard movies. The months that I stayed inside entirely were regular life with Chronic Lyme. But looking out of the windows at the empty street was like time stopping.” . . . The world has shifted to a new normal. Each day brings difficult news of the seriousness of the time ahead. And it’s not letting up. Shooting from outside through the front door or window & into the space of quarantine revealing our lives apart and together. These are unprecedented moments we are living through. One camera, one lens. I’m being safe and social distancing. These are the days that bring us together no matter how we are physically apart. . . . #lifeonpause #socialdistancing #quarantine #stayhealthy #stayhome #staystrong #newnormal #thenewnormal #stayathome #losangeles #photography #blackandwhite #bnw #bnwseries #photostory #photoessay #bnwphotos #bnwphotographer #contemporaryphotography #selfquarantine #selfisolation #pandemic #lifeathome #covid19 #coronavirus #lockdown #socialdistancingphotography #lifeinquarantine #quarantinelife @theworkbookphoto @atedge @photopolitic @komyoon @altpick @dougtruppe @foundartists

This is Andrew, Stephanie and their kids. “We’re here temporarily and the pandemic has made it permanent. It’s locked us in...but it’s also made us consider where we are. It made me think of what we want out of being here. Everyone is spending all this energy improving their homes and we’re trying to water it down so we can leave." Stephanie: “I’m Swiss. With schools closed here we may go home to Switzerland. I didn’t even question where we were before this: we were working, with kids, the weekends were busy. Is here the only place I can do what I do? Can I do it somewhere else? It makes you re-evaluate where you want to be. It’s a bit claustrophobic.” Andrew: "Not being able to travel has changed how we exist as a family. The thrill of having kids was also traveling with them.” Stephanie: “In a way home has become more important. Family is what we have right now. To be disconnected from family in Switzerland is not easy. It’s complicated. I wouldn’t have had this time with the kids and I’m glad for that. It’s a revelation that we are the most important part for them right now, at their age. We’re lucky. There are a lot of kids who don’t have a safe home, or have disabilities that need special educators to help them. We are lucky and in a weird way have embraced this time." . . The world has shifted to a new normal. Each day brings difficult news of the seriousness of the time ahead. Shooting from outside through the front door or window & into the space of quarantine revealing our lives apart and together. These are unprecedented moments we are living through. One camera, one lens. I’m being safe and social distancing. These are the days that bring us together no matter how we are physically apart. . . . #lifeonpause #socialdistancing #quarantine #stayhealthy #stayhome #staystrong #newnormal #thenewnormal #stayathome #losangeles #photography #photostory #contemporaryphotography #selfquarantine #selfisolation #pandemic #lifeathome #covid19 #coronavirus #lockdown #socialdistancingphotography #lifeinquarantine #quarantinelife @theworkbookphoto @atedge @photopolitic @komyoon @altpick @dougtruppe @luerzersarchive @foundartists

This is Ernesto and Vanessa. “Suffering is a window of opportunity for us to really look at one another and to value each other, and in return we get to value ourselves. It’s like a mirror." Vanessa: “It’s intense and so profound to think that everybody all around the world is going through this every day. Every moment feels like it’s coming into sharp focus and you want to hold onto it forever but you’re trying to find the grace to just let it breathe and let it be. My father moved in recently with late stage cancer. Everything is sentimental…and the beauty of seeing my husband taking time to talk to my dad when I know he has work to do, it's so moving to see that compassion. I’ve had a lot of anxiety. Ernesto keeps telling me: It’s just life, just accept it, don’t try to wrestle so much with it." Ernesto: “What’s most important right now is time with her father. Compassion is putting yourself in another’s shoes and in that moment nothing else matters but that person. That’s what it was for my brother: to be there consistently for 15 years. I had just buried my brother and was thinking of taking my parents on trips ‘cause they had been full time caregivers for 15 years of his ALS disease. Maybe I’m taking on this role again and again… Just don’t complain, be there with your wife and father-in-law and god’s going to bless you." Vanessa: “It’s a growth under pressure. The intense pressure and then you either explode or grow. That’s how diamonds are made from coal. It’s messy and it’s not linear, but it’s growth." . . . The world has shifted to a new normal. Each day brings difficult news of the seriousness of the time ahead. Shooting from outside through the front door or window & into the space of quarantine revealing our lives apart and together. These are unprecedented moments we are living through. . #lifeonpause #socialdistancing #quarantine #newnormal #thenewnormal #photography #blackandwhite #bnw #bnwseries #photostory #photoessay #bnwphotos #contemporaryphotography #pandemic #lifeathome #covid19 #coronavirus #lockdown #lifeinquarantine #quarantinelife @theworkbookphoto @atedge @photopolitic @komyoon @altpick @dougtruppe @foundartists