One way to tell THIS story…a picture a day
We are undoubtedly living a historic event right now…the Pandemic of 2020. Because we know this, it gives each and every one of us a unique opportunity to tell the story as it is happening.
How do we do this? Here’s one way…
There have been many ‘picture a day’ movements over the past few years. Most often you hear about people trying to take one picture a day for a year. What if, during this time when many of us are either choosing or highly encouraged to stay home, we took 1 picture a day that tells THIS story?
A lot of jokes have been made at my house over how it feels to be ‘stuck’ at home. Projects have been started enthusiastically that we (mostly my kids) are now regretting (because it was fun at first), and we’ve had discussions about the need for screen time boundaries to be set and generally how our family was going to run over the next few weeks. Out of these moments, have come some pretty great pics that tell our story.
The process for creating this album is easy (even your kids could do it…in fact, it might be a great project for them):
Take a pic each day (or more if you want)
Create an album in the photos app on your phone, “Pandemic 2020”, or somehow group these photos on your computer if they are automatically downloading there (if they aren’t, call me…we can help!)
An extra touch…jot down a few notes each day either on paper or on your computer
At the end of this, either make your own digital album (I like Mixbook and Mpix) or call me and I can do it for you
This might become the most powerful album you’ve ever created. Why? Because someday your grandkids or great-grandkids will be studying this event in school and this album will connect them in a way that the school books (or whatever they have at that time) can’t even touch. In these photos, they’ll likely see so many emotions from resilience, to love, humor and even stress.
In 2013, Bruce Feiler wrote an article in the New York Times entitled, ‘The Stories That Bind Us’. In it, he shared the research of Marshall Duke, a psychologist at Emory University, who found that the single most important thing you can do for your family is to tell your stories. Their conclusion was that if you want a happier family, create, refine and retell the stories of your family’s most positive moments and your ability to bounce back from the difficult ones.
I believe this is one of those moments. Photos help us remember. They help us tell our stories.
Here are the first few entries in the ‘Corbid Picture a Day…Pandemic 2020’ album.
3-14-2020. We spent the weekend in Park Rapids caring for my father-in-law. At this point in his journey, he loves looking at photo albums and he invited us to look at them, as well. The news about the Corona Virus was coming in fast and furious. President Trump has just declared a National State of Emergency, school is being called off until the end of the month and Ben’s college golf season has been cancelled.
3-15-2020. Boredom brings out the creativity. This is Anna (my 13 year old) playing on her phone. There is some realness to this pic, only it’s not a dinosaur chasing us.
3-16-2020. Moving Ben’s (my college age son’s) room into the basement has been a project on the agenda for a while. It was fun at first.
3-16-2020. When you are practicing social distancing with your good friend next door.
Here’s to this being a very short album! Stay healthy!
Holly Corbid is the founder and owner of Capture Your Photos, where we help you to celebrate life, tell stories and touch hearts with your photos. Need help telling your family stories? Let’s talk! I can work remotely!