Porch Portraits in Pine Lake #3

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I’ve been taking porch portraits and asking folks how they’ve been surviving during quarantine.

Take a look at this earlier blogpost for a little background on my Pine Lake Porch Portrait project.

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Blais, Debbie and Caramel, Flower Side of the Lake

My mom and I have been trying to get through Covid-19 the best that we can. For us, that means trying new things and especially making art

Some of the art forms that have gotten us through Covid-19 have been music and painting. When my school closed down, I got to bring home a ukulele from the music room. I have been teaching my mom to play and it has been a lot of fun. I am also continuing my piano lessons virtually. 

When it comes to painting, we like to paint out our feelings. Sometimes they are good and fun and sometimes they are bad and ugly. And aside from creating art, we have even started painting our house! 

Back in 2018, my mom went through an 8 month program to become a certified yoga teacher. Now, a couple times a month, my mom will teach a social-distancing-yoga class in our driveway. 

Our dog, Caramel, has also been a big help by getting us through a lot of the hard times we have been going through lately, and it didn’t stop at Covid. He has been our support, and we love him dearly. 

So over all, this Coronavirus experience hasn’t been all bad. While we are trying new things, one thing will never change... the love we have for each other. 

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Pamela Poole, Poet and Storyteller, Tree Side of the Lake

I have given myself permission to not feel guilty, if I haven't read a lot, and to not feel unproductive, while just reflecting and not taking to pen. I am saturating my heart and mind with loving and trusting God and his son, Jesus Christ. I am thankful for time to "learn" to like myself.

My check list includes: family, friends, neighbors, change, seedlings, rest and leaf-grow watching.

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Cindy Brown

I'm an Atlanta wedding photographer who takes soulful, quirky and honest photos ...

I'm also an adventurous traveler and all-round nerd. I love to hike with my beagle/cattle dog Roux and best friend/spouse.

I was born in Atlanta, moved around a lot--30 cities and 5 states--and then came back.

After graduating from the Art Institute of Atlanta, I took a job at asmall newspaper in south Georgia, where I photographedhospital teas, pecan farmers, and beauty queens.

I photographed a biker funeral, death penalty protests andTed Bundy while interning with the Associated Press.

While a photographer for two dailies in Florida, I photographed Ronald Reagan, a train derailment and the dedication of a screened-in porch.

An unexpected life turn took me to Vermont where I fell in love with Bernie Sanders and on to Indiana, where I edited photos for a major daily, and nerded out getting a master’s and PhD.

After teaching photojournalism at colleges and universities in Florida, Indiana and Mississippi, I returned to Atlanta to earn myfifth degree--a Master's of Divinity.

My passion for storytelling with my camera and my interest in religious diversity led my to the field of wedding photojournalism.

I have documented weddings large and small, Unitarian and Pagan, indoors and out, Christian and Muslim, in backyards and in churches. The most exotic wedding I have photographed took place in Mexico and was officiated by aMayan shaman.

When I'm not photographing weddings, portraits or corporate events, I work on personal photo projects, visit friends in amemory-care home, and volunteer at a recovery center.