This Brooklyn Photographer Is Capturing the Inspiring Signs His Self-Isolating Neighbors Are Showing From Their Windows—See Them Here

by admin

Apr 1, 2020

artnet

With stay-at-home orders in place across much of the country,
many people are feeling more isolated than ever. That’s why
photographer Stephen Lovekin is capturing
Brooklyn residents through their apartment windows, a series that
stands as a reminder that none of us are facing this difficult
ordeal alone.

Titled “Words at the Window: Self
Isolation and the Coronavirus,” Lovekin’s powerful portraits
show people at home, holding up handwritten signs featuring
messages of hope and resilience through the window pane.

A staff photographer for Shutterstock, Lovekin had been shooting
New York’s increasingly empty streets, documenting our new normal
of face masks and social distancing. But he was also interested in
how people were coping with the situation behind closed doors.

“I began to feel compelled to document this unprecedented time
in our history,” Lovekin recently told the Washington
Post. A resident of the Ditmas Park neighborhood in
Brooklyn, he started checking in with neighbors “to see how they
were feeling and to see what message, if any, they would like to
share with the world, whether they be personal, political, or
spiritual.”

Agnetha Septimus, Matthew Septimus, and children Ezra and Nora, pose for "Words at the Window: Self Isolation and The Coronavirus," a portrait series by Shutterstock staff photographer, Stephen Lovekin, shot around the Ditmas Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

Agnetha Septimus, Matthew Septimus, and
children Ezra and Nora, pose for “Words at the Window: Self
Isolation and The Coronavirus” by Stephen Lovekin. Photo courtesy
of Shutterstock.

Shooting through the window was a natural choice for the artist.
Windows frame our view of the world and, from the street, they
offer a glimpse into the interior lives of others.

The first image in the series features a 91-year-old artist who
lives alone and is still making new work in her top-floor studio
apartment. “I was inspired by her dedication to her work,” Lovekin
said in a statement.

The photographer began sharing the images on social media and
was soon inundated with requests to take part in the project. “I
feel like I’m busier than when things were normal!” he said.

Artist Shirley Fuerst poses for "Words at the Window: Self Isolation and The Coronavirus," a portrait series by Shutterstock staff photographer, Stephen Lovekin, shot around the Ditmas Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

Artist Shirley Fuerst poses for “Words
at the Window: Self Isolation and The Coronavirus” by Stephen
Lovekin. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

“I hope that in this time of chaos and uncertainty,” Lovekin
told the Post, “this project will help people feel more
connected to the outside world even though we are all literally
separated from one another for an unknown amount of time.”

See more photos from the series below.

Callie Lovekin and Lucas Lovekin pose for "Words at the Window: Self Isolation and The Coronavirus," a portrait series by Shutterstock staff photographer, Stephen Lovekin, shot around the Ditmas Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

Callie Lovekin and Lucas Lovekin pose
for”Words at the Window: Self Isolation and The Coronavirus” by
Stephen Lovekin. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

Lisa Draho and Josh Zuckerman, with children Ruby and Ava, pose for 'Words At The Window: Self Isolation And The Coronavirus', a portrait series by Shutterstock Staff Photographer, Stephen Lovekin, shot around the Ditmas Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York.

Lisa Draho and Josh Zuckerman, with
children Ruby and Ava, pose for “Words at the Window: Self
Isolation and The Coronavirus” by Stephen Lovekin. Photo courtesy
of Shutterstock.

Husband and wife filmmakers, Claire Ince and Ancil McKain pose for "Words at the Window: Self Isolation and The Coronavirus," a portrait series by Shutterstock staff photographer, Stephen Lovekin, shot around the Ditmas Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

Husband and wife filmmakers, Claire Ince
and Ancil McKain pose for “Words at the Window: Self Isolation and
The Coronavirus” by Stephen Lovekin. Photo courtesy of
Shutterstock.

Mike Pergola and Denise Pergola with children Henry, Jack, and Will, pose for "Words at the Window: Self Isolation and The Coronavirus," a portrait series by Shutterstock staff photographer, Stephen Lovekin, shot around the Ditmas Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

Mike Pergola and Denise Pergola with
children Henry, Jack, and Will, pose for “Words at the Window: Self
Isolation and The Coronavirus” by Stephen Lovekin. Photo courtesy
of Shutterstock.

Jean Davis and Danny Rosenthal, with children Simone, Naomi, and Leah, pose for "Words at the Window: Self Isolation and The Coronavirus," a portrait series by Shutterstock staff photographer, Stephen Lovekin, shot around the Ditmas Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

Jean Davis and Danny Rosenthal, with
children Simone, Naomi, and Leah, pose for “Words at the
Window: Self Isolation and The Coronavirus” by Stephen Lovekin.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

Professor and activist Dr. Kristin Lawler poses for "Words at the Window: Self Isolation and The Coronavirus," a portrait series by Shutterstock staff photographer, Stephen Lovekin, shot around the Ditmas Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

Professor and activist Kristin Lawler
poses for “Words at the Window: Self Isolation and The Coronavirus”
by Stephen Lovekin. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

Khadijah Silver and son Eliot pose for "Words at the Window: Self Isolation and The Coronavirus," a portrait series by Shutterstock staff photographer, Stephen Lovekin, shot around the Ditmas Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

Khadijah Silver and son Eliot pose for
“Words at the Window: Self Isolation and The Coronavirus” by
Stephen Lovekin. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

Tom Smith and Laura Ross, with daughters Caroline, Elizabeth, and Abigail, pose for 'Words At The Window: Self Isolation And The Coronavirus', a portrait series by Shutterstock staff photographer, Stephen Lovekin, shot around the Ditmas Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

Tom Smith and Laura Ross, with daughters
Caroline, Elizabeth, and Abigail, pose for “Words at the Window:
Self Isolation and The Coronavirus” by Stephen Lovekin. Photo
courtesy of Shutterstock.

Anna Beth Rousakis and daughter Mary Rousakis pose for "Words at the Window: Self Isolation and The Coronavirus," a portrait series by Shutterstock staff photographer, Stephen Lovekin, shot around the Ditmas Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

Anna Beth Rousakis and daughter Mary
Rousakis pose for “Words at the Window: Self Isolation and The
Coronavirus” by Stephen Lovekin. Photo courtesy of
Shutterstock.

The post This Brooklyn Photographer Is Capturing the
Inspiring Signs His Self-Isolating Neighbors Are Showing From Their
Windows—See Them Here appeared first on artnet News.