Photographer’s viral ‘front porch sessions’ shows how coronavirus isolation is bringing families together

As a mom of three and former social worker working for many years in the fields of adoption, Sara Ester of Sara Liz Photography knows firsthand the importance of family time. When she learned that families all over the country are self-isolating due to the coronavirus outbreak, she knew it was the perfect time to capitalize on moments of connections. Her mission was simple: promote family time to ease stress and promote happiness.

Liz reached out to dozens of families on social media asking if they would like to be photographed on their porch for a “Front Porch Session” and the responses were huge.

Photo by: Sara Liz Photography

“Amid all the COVID-19 stuff going on I asked if families would be interested in a quick five-minute session on their front porches to document what a crazy experience it has been to be quarantined at home,” Ester told Popsugar. “The people participating ran with it! So many families made funny or encouraging signs, showed up in their pajamas or yoga pants, and just really embraced the whole ‘quarantine chic’ idea. It was really reaffirming to see how everyone is in the same boat. We’re all just trying to do the best we can with a crappy situation!”

Photo by: Sara Liz Photography

We’re living in perilous times and it’s nice to see families using the lockdown as an opportunity to bond. After all, it doesn’t matter how big or small your house is, it’s the love inside that counts.

Photo by: Sara Liz Photography

“Photography, specifically documentary photography is a big part of how I see and function in the world a lot of the time,” Ester shared in an Instagram post. With everything being so overwhelming the last week or so, it has helped me to also keep in mind that what we are dealing with is historical.”