CINCINNATI A marketing firm located in Over-the-Rhine is taking a creative approach to bring people together while also practicing safe social distancing.

AGAR, an experiential marketing firm located in Over-the-Rhine, is launching its first citywide "Front Porch Pours" happy hour from 5-7 p.m. Friday. The event is designed to bring people onto their front porches or to an open window where they can enjoy a drink and talk with their neighbors.

"We started looking at how we want to keep our team engaged and what can we do for our city," said Andrew Salzbrun, a managing partner at AGAR. "We like spending our free time working on things for Cincinnati."

AGAR helped organize BLINK Cincinnati in 2017 and 2019 and began hosting Danger Wheel, an annual adult big wheel race held in Pendleton in 2014.

Salzbrun said for "Front Porch Pours," his team more than rose to the challenge of creating a citywide event focused on keeping people socially distanced while at the same time uniting and uplifting them.

"We're excited to just get people out of the house ... to enjoy a shared moment," Salzbrun said.

To that end, AGAR created a website where people can sign up to participate in Friday's "Front Porch Pours." When people sign up for the happy hour, they will receive a set of themed cocktail recipes, including one from popular Cincinnati mixologist Molly Wellmann.

"I'm a huge fan of the House Beer one, since I'm a beer guy," Salzbrun said.

Other featured drink suggestions include the "DeWine and Chill" and "Shut-In Shirley."

People also will get a link to a curated playlist of happy hour music to listen to while sipping their drinks.

"Our in-house record label, Old Flame, put together a really awesome two-hour playlist," Salzbrun said.

He added the playlist features a lot of familiar songs people will be able to sing along with "but also a lot of local bands, bands whose shows are either being postponed or canceled."

"We want to show them some love as well," Salzbrun said.

AGAR looks forward to planning similar events in the near future, Salzbrun said.

People interested in participating in "Front Porch Pours" can sign up at porchpours.splashthat.com.

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Miss happy hour? You can have one at a safe distance with 'Front Porch Pours' - WCPO

KALAMAZOO, Mich. On the other side of the Coronavirus pandemic, how do we want to remember it?

Many may not want to remember it, because it was a time of stress, job loss, sickness or even, death.

A Kalamazoo man whose photography business closed soon after COVID-19 hit Michigan, has found a new focus that's providing memorable and creative images for families during this heightened sense of uncertainty.

"My business dried up," said Brian Powers, who's been a professional photographer for 12 years. "I can't get into my studio, so there was nothing to take pictures of."

He says a little more than a week ago, he saw some news stories from around the United States of photographers traveling around their communities taking 'porch portraits.'

Soon after COVID-19 hit Michigan, photographer Brian Powers wanted to keep using his talent, so he's doing Porch Portraits for families.

Brian Powers

"They are professionally done family portraits, documenting how people are thinking and feeling during this pandemic," said Powers.

He launched a Facebook page and invited all of his contacts to join it. Soon after that, people started scheduling time for him to come to their homes and take the photos.

Soon after COVID-19 hit Michigan, photographer Brian Powers wanted to keep using his talent, so he's doing Porch Portraits for families.

Brian Powers

"On days when the weather has been good, I've done several porch portraits," said Powers. "The pictures are free. I upload them to the Facebook page and people can retrieve them from there and do whatever they want with them."

Some people just want a nice, traditional family portrait taken while others create some signage that best conveys their feelings and mood during this time of extreme uncertainty.

Soon after COVID-19 hit Michigan, photographer Brian Powers wanted to keep using his talent, so he's doing Porch Portraits for families.

Brian Powers

"I've seen all kinds of signs," Powers said. "Some saying, 'We'll get through this; We're in this together; The sun will shine again.'"

Powers respects social distancing during each shoot. He stands at least 20-feet away from the families, while using a telephoto lens to zoom-in close enough to capture each moment.

On Thursday, April 2, an entire subdivision of homes in Kalamazoo, Mi. scheduled to have him come out and take porch portraits.

Powers took porch portraits at 30 different homes that day.

Soon after COVID-19 hit Michigan, photographer Brian Powers wanted to keep using his talent, so he's doing Porch Portraits for families.

Brian Powers

"This is something kids who are old enough are always going to remember," said Rich Walsh, after Powers visited his subdivision and took his family's portrait. "Twenty years from now, they'll be telling stories like, 'I wasn't event allowed to go to school.'"

Welsh went on to say, "This moment in our history is kind of like 9/11, Pearl Harbor and the Kennedy Assassination."

Kristen Rowell, who lives in the same subdivision, says she was very exited when she saw the Facebook post about Brian's porch portraits.

Photographer Brian Powers is out of work, but is choosing to use his talent and free time to document this uncertain time by taking Porch Portraits.

Brian Powers

"It's definitely had to keep spirits up during this time," said Rowell. "This is a very weird time and I wanted to have a family portrait to remember how strong we were through all of this."

Photographer Brian Powers is out of work, but is choosing to use his talent and free time to document this uncertain time by taking Porch Portraits.

Brian Powers

Powers says he's closing in on having taken close to 100 different family porch portraits in the short time he's been doing it. While most of his clientele has been in and around the Kalamazoo area, he says he's willing to drive elsewhere in West Michigan to capture these images for people.

"So far, I haven't had anybody say, 'Stay home,'" said Powers. "I'd like to do this for as long as I can and for as long as people want it."

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'Porch Portraits' becoming the way many want to remember uncertain time - WZZM13.com

TEMPLE, Texas A viewer sent 6 News a video on Facebook of a man stealing a package off of her porch. She said, the Temple Police Department told her they couldn't arrest the man at the moment because of the coronavirus. She said the TPD told her porch piracy is a felony in the State of Texas. She claimed they said they would have to get him after the pandemic ended.

So, 6 News reporter Cole Johnson reached out to the TPD to see if they arrested the man.

Spokesperson Cody Weems said in an email that the officer who was on that call wasn't working Thursday so he couldn't confirm the status in the case. But he did pull information from the report, which said it is still an active case and charges will be pursued.

"The officer located the suspect at a nearby residence. The suspect admitted to taking the package and retrieved the package from his residence," Weems said. "The officer collected statements from the individuals involved."

But, is the TPD holding off on arresting people for certain crimes because of the coronavirus?

Weems said the Bell County Sherriff's Office advised that it is not accepting inmates for certain non-violent misdemeanor offenses right now.

"Officers are issuing citations when applicable to obtaining warrants to make arrests at a later date. However, officers are continuing to make arrests for felonies and violent misdemeanors," Weems said. "To reiterate, Temple PD will continue to file charges for nonviolent offenses and will make arrests once Bell County Sheriff's Offices begins accepting inmates again for such offenses."

Major TJ Cruz of the Bell County Sheriff's Office said that when looking at arrestable offenses, it's a case by case issue. If an officer feels that someone does need to be arrested for an offense, they can contact the Bell County Jail to make arrangements.

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Central Texas COVID-19 live updates | Bell County reports 5 new cases, total now 51

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Porch pirates and other non-violent criminals | Should they be arrested during the coronavirus? - KCENTV.com

As a photographer, Cara Soulia feels her purpose is to document life. Its why she left a successful career in finance five years ago to pick up her camera full-time. So when thecoronaviruspandemic began to take hold of Soulias cozy Boston suburb, closing schools and forcing residents indoors, she worried about more than just her finances.

Even though this is negative, its historic and needs to be documented, said Soulia, who lives in Needham, Massachussetts. I couldnt help but think, How am I going to document this time in history?' Then I got the call from Kristen.

Kristen Collins helps Soulia market her family photographybusiness. She had been considering a similar question over coffee when she had a flashbulb idea: Why dont we go to these families and capture this moment in their lives where they are in their homes?

Or to be more specific and socially distant, in front of their homes. The Front Steps Project was launched on St. Patricks Day, and it has since raised almost $20,000 for charity.

Soulia and Collins started by pitching the idea to a handful of close friends and clients. Soulia would drive over, honk, and the family would be dressed and ready to step out the front door. Soulia would come no closer than 10 feet and do her best to pose them.

Im used to being up close and moving them, Soulia said. Im not used to posing people with my words I dont even know everyones names.

Once she gets the girl on the end or the dad in the frame and looking at her, she snaps a few shots and is on her way. In lieu of payment, she requests a donation to the Needham Community Council, a nonprofit that works to address health, educational and social needs in the community.

Thanks to social media and word of mouth, Soulia and Collins were soon overloaded with requests through their online application form. Two other area photographers, Caitrin Dunphy and Topher Cox, joined the project. Together, they have shot nearly 400 Needham families.

Perhaps even more inspiring was the response from other communities around the country as news of the Front Steps Project stretched to Georgia toIndianato California. More than 250 photographers contacted Soulia and Collins looking to capture their neighborhoods and raise money for local causes. A studio in South Carolina has families hold up a sign with a word or two about what this time has meant to their families. Aphotographer in Michigan calls them "porchraits."

Now that pandemic has intensified, Soulia and Collins want to set another example for their fellow photographers:hitting pause. As of this week, The Front Steps Project is joining the movement to flatten the curve.

We knew wed have a stay-at-home order, Collins said. We want to respect our government and community. We want the other photographers to see us as leaders who say when its time to stop, its time to stop.

While Soulia and her 10-year-old daughter/navigator were hustling around the neighborhood, frantically clicking the shutter button, they didnt have time to stop to appreciate what they were doing. Now on hiatus, Soulia has had a chance to go back and really look at the images: families wearing everything from slacks to PJs, huddling together, trying to smile through one fleeting moment of normalcy in a time of staggering uncertainty.

One of the most important moments was when we connected with the local hospital, Soulia said. There were nine ER doctors in blue scrubs with masks on. It was everything. The story of what was happening. I didnt have time to process it at the moment. When I got home, I couldnt help but cry.

Tony Rehagen is a freelance writer in St. Louis

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Front porch portraits document home life in the time of coronavirus - USA TODAY

Since her classes are now all remote due to the coronavirus pandemic, Anderson emailed her teacher for help, rather than ask for it in the classroom.

She expected some emails, or maybe even a phone call from her teacher, Mr. Chris Waba.

But then the doorbell rang -- and she saw Waba, standing on her porch, holding a whiteboard and marker, ready to teach.

The Madison, South Dakota student said while trying to complete her math homework, she couldn't ask her parents for help because they weren't home. Plus, she said, they wouldn't have been much help anyway.

"My mom got all the questions wrong when she helped me before," Anderson told CNN.

When Waba received Anderson's email, he responded -- but could tell she was still struggling with the lesson.

For 10 minutes or so, Waba squatted on Rylee's porch as he went through three math equations. Rylee stood on the other side of the screen door, nodding her head as she followed along and took notes.

"He made it easier to understand," Rylee said. "I appreciated him coming over."

Rylee's dad, Josh Anderson, who is the head coach of Dakota State University's football team, shared the moment on Twitter. His post has since garnered hundreds of retweets and thousands of likes.

"The picture just shows the length that which teachers will go to help their students at any cost during these times," Josh Anderson said.

Waba, who has been teaching at Madison Middle School for 27 years, said it was a spur-of-the-moment decision.

"I'm a better communicator face-to-face than (on) the telephone and I think students learn better that way," Waba said. "Teachers all across the nation have been thrown into a situation like this. I think we're all more comfortable being in front of our classes and that's where we'd rather be."

By the end of their lesson, Waba said he could tell Rylee finally understood the concept because she smiled and thanked him.

"That's what teachers are looking for, those smiles," Waba said. "That's the joy of being a teacher and that's what we do it for."

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Math teacher shows up at student's front porch to give her a one-on-one lesson while social distancing - CNN

Deliveries of groceries and packages are soaring as physical retailers close their doors and tens of millions of Americans shelter in place. Moreover, the need for social distancing may encourage more delivery workers to leave packages unattended on porches rather than risk an interaction with someone who has the coronavirus.

These conditions may be perfect for thieves, who prior to the pandemic were increasingly pilfering packages from homes across the country.

About 11 million homeowners reported having a package stolen in 2017 and a separate 2018 survey found that almost a fifth of Americans said they had been a victim. Three-quarters of the 2017 thefts occurred during the day, and the average cost of the stolen items was close to US$200.

I led a recent study of porch piracy to better understand how it happens. I enlisted the help of two graduate students, Melody Hicks and Zachary Hutchinson, to help me review the videos, and my wife Amy Stickle, a math lecturer, performed a statistical analysis to ensure accuracy of the data collected.

We examined 67 home security videos uploaded to YouTube to observe the behavior of porch pirates before, during and after they stole a package. Our analysis, which documented 98 stolen packages, reveals some interesting trends and possible prevention techniques.

We found that thefts typically transpired close to roadways, with packages being visible from the street in nearly all incidents of theft. Most packages that were stolen were of medium size and had brand names on the boxes.

Very few thieves attempted to disguise themselves. As they approached residences, neither fences, cameras or vehicles parked in the driveway seemed to deter them. And a few thieves appeared to be actually following delivery vehicles.

We noticed that to avoid suspicion when executing their heists, some thieves carried dummy items with them to reduce suspicion, such as paperwork, packages or other items to make their visit seem legitimate.

In virtually every incident, a single individual approached the home and took the packages. In a third of cases, there was also an accomplice involved who usually served as a getaway driver.

One aspect that particularly struck us was how quickly the thefts transpired. From start to finish, we documented several that took under 30 seconds to complete.

In terms of solutions, recipients would be smart to try to ensure theres a secure container or location to store packages until they can be retrieved. Businesses should make sure to always notify customers when packages are delivered and avoid leaving them in the open.

Put simply, our research suggests vigilance is key. And as more stuff arrives at our doorsteps, itll be easy pickings for thieves unless retailers, delivery companies, law enforcement and consumers dont do more to curb porch piracy.

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Porch piracy: Here's what we learned after watching hours of YouTube videos showing packages being pilfered from homes - The Conversation US

Ashley Brown and Kurt Kryszak are capturing history in a series of family portraits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Families gather on their steps and front lawns for the informal portraits.

Brown, a photographer who owns Eleven Creative, and photographer/videographer Kurt Kryszak of Kryszak Photography, share a studio in Downtown Bay City at 509 Center Ave. Before COVID-19 hit, the pair focused on weddings, senior pictures, and family portraits. They also provide freelance photography services for Route Bay City.

Since the portraits are taken at home, its easy to include family pets.

Now, they spend their days shooting portraits of families together on porches or in their front yards. The portraits capture moments in everyday family life under Gov. Gretchen Whitmers Stay Home Executive Order.

Brown relies on long lenses to capture portraits without any physical contact between herself and the people in the pictures.I think theres something really raw and real about taking family photos at your own home, Brown adds. Especially during the pandemic. It doesnt give you the opportunity to go out and shop for new matching outfits, get haircuts, etc. Its real life.

Most of the families featured in the project have been eager to get outside and do something different.

Brown was inspired when she came across an NBC Boston article talking about the #TheFrontStepsProject, which started in Needham, Massachusetts. A freelance photographer there wanted to capture families in this unique time in history. Browns approach is similar and aims at a more local market. She is calling it the Porch Portraits Project.

Before the pandemic, Browns business focused on families, high school seniors, and wedding parties. Much of that business dried up when social distancing restrictions became normal.

I saw the original article about this project, and I thought Okay, thats awesome, says Brown. Id love to be able to capture people with their families right now. I think this has really shown useveryonewhat is important in life, and thats our families.

The portraits offer a glimpse of American family life during a global pandemic.While the project does require Brown and Kryszak to leave their home, they are careful to follow social distancing guidelines to protect themselves, their subjects, and the community. They drive to the homes, but remain outside and about 10 to 15 feet away from the families. Scheduling and payment all take place without any physical contact. Neither Brown nor Kryszak are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms and have no known exposure to anyone with the illness.

Jenn and Aaron Grigg contacted Brown to become part of her Porch Portraits Project.I dont touch anything other than my own camera equipment and my vehicle, Brown adds, discussing the practice of safe methods during the pandemic. While she takes stills of the clients, Kryszak takes photos of Brown behind the scenesalso at a safe distance. The whole process is done in under 10 minutes.

Families throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region are invited to join the project.Like how most of us feel right now, Brown says the families shes taken portraits of so far have all been a little stir crazy and anxious to get outside. One client used them as their pregnancy/baby announcement, so that was fun, she adds. Once the portraits are finished and edited, she emails them directly to the clients.

The finished portraits offer a candid look at life during the COVID-19 pandemic.Brown and Kryszak are accepting clients for this project in the Great Lakes Bay Region, but are focused on Bay City, Saginaw, and Midland.

As the studio is closed and people cancel weddings and delay senior portraits, Brown and Kryszak are looking for more Porch Portraits Project clients. They plan on continuing the project as long as the pandemic lasts. To schedule an appointment, reach out to Brown through Eleven Creative.

Original post:
The Porch Portraits Project: Two Bay City photographers capturing images of history as it happens - Concentrate

Ashley Brown and Kurt Kryszak are capturing history in a series of family portraits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brown, a photographer who owns Eleven Creative, and photographer/videographer Kurt Kryszak of Kryszak Photography, share a studio in Downtown Bay City at 509 Center Ave. Before COVID-19 hit, the pair focused on weddings, senior pictures, and family portraits. They also provide freelance photography services for Route Bay City.

Now, they spend their days shooting portraits of families together on porches or in their front yards. The portraits capture moments in everyday family life under Gov. Gretchen Whitmers Stay Home Executive Order.

Photographer Ashley Brown stands 10 to 15 feet away from the people featured in her Porch Portraits Project.

I think theres something really raw and real about taking family photos at your own home, Brown adds. Especially during the pandemic. It doesnt give you the opportunity to go out and shop for new matching outfits, get haircuts, etc. Its real life.

Brown was inspired when she came across an NBC Boston article talking about the #TheFrontStepsProject, which started in Needham, Massachusetts. A freelance photographer there wanted to capture families in this unique time in history. Browns approach is similar and aims at a more local market. She is calling it the Porch Portraits Project.

I saw the original article about this project, and I thought Okay, thats awesome, says Brown. Id love to be able to capture people with their families right now. I think this has really shown useveryonewhat is important in life, and thats our families.

Since the portraits are taken at home, its easy to include family pets.

While the project does require Brown and Kryszak to leave their home, they are careful to follow social distancing guidelines to protect themselves, their subjects, and the community. They drive to the homes, but remain outside and about 10 to 15 feet away from the families. Scheduling and payment all take place without any physical contact. Neither Brown nor Kryszak are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms and have no known exposure to anyone with the illness.

I dont touch anything other than my own camera equipment and my vehicle, Brown adds, discussing the practice of safe methods during the pandemic. While she takes stills of the clients, Kryszak takes photos of Brown behind the scenesalso at a safe distance. The whole process is done in under 10 minutes.

Brown relies on zoom lenses to capture portraits without any physical contact between herself and the people in the pictures.

Like how most of us feel right now, Brown says the families shes taken portraits of so far have all been a little stir crazy and anxious to get outside. One client used them as their pregnancy/baby announcement, so that was fun, she adds. Once the portraits are finished and edited, she emails them directly to the clients.

Brown and Kryszak are accepting clients for this project in the Great Lakes Bay Region, but are focused on Bay City, Saginaw, and Midland.

As the studio is closed and people cancel weddings and delay senior portraits, Brown and Kryszak are looking for more Porch Portraits Project clients. They plan on continuing the project as long as the pandemic lasts. To schedule an appointment, reach out to Brown through Eleven Creative.

View original post here:
The Porch Portraits Project: Two photographers capturing images of history as it happens - Concentrate

Some title companies are conducting remote digital closings.

As the impact of the coronavirus pandemic continues to turn the real estate market on its head, curbside and remote mortgage closings have become a logical extension of signing loan documents and distributing money at the office of a title company or escrow office.

Title companies are adjusting to new protocols to ensure safe closings, according to Diane Tomb, CEO of American Land Title Association.

During this health pandemic and social distancing, were seeing title companies across the country get creative to offer safe and secure closings for their customers, she said. In addition to drive-through closings and implementing safe closing protocols, companies are closing transactions through remote online notarization, which uses audio/visual technology to complete a notarial act when the customer is not in the same physical location as the notary public.

Notaries and signers are justifiably concerned about being exposed to someone possibly infected with COVID-19 when meeting face to face during loan signings and notarizations, according to Notary Bulletin, noting: In response, some closing companies have recommended a process called window-separated signing or porch signing, in which loan signings are conducted through a window or doorway at a safe physical distance.

National Notary Association has published guidelines for performing window-separated signings. For example, a notary must follow all federal, state and local guidelines for social distancing, health protection and sanitization when meeting with signers and handling documents, IDs or other materials. When items are passed between the signer and notary, one person should place the item in a neutral area and then step back and provide safe distance to allow the other person to pick it up.

Notarize, a platform for digital notarizations, sawreal estate volume increase by 400% in Marchandhas $23 billion in real estate transactions ordered for April.To support the surge in demand,Notarize is hiring 1,000 notaries in Texas, Florida, Nevada and Virginiatojoin its team in a role that allows notaries to work remotely, safely in their homes.

Knight Barry Title Group in Milwaukee is offering remote closing solutions whenever possible for the safety and convenience of its customers.

In a Facebook video, chief operating officer Craig Haskins explained that Knight Barry has implemented a work-from-home plan for employees who are able to handle their jobs remotely. But mission-critical jobs like our closing department and our closers, theyre here, and they are closing your transactions right now in our closing rooms, he said. With some of our employees allowed working remotely, its allowed us to create a safer social-distancing environment. It allows us to keep clean, stay organized and be prepared for the next set of closings that come through our doors.

Haskins said the company has put into effect safe plans for its office to make sure it is sanitized. The guidance is published on Knight Barrys website. For example, the company has bought hundreds of pens so that after the signing, the signers can take their pens with them or dispose of them on the way out. After the closing, the staff wipes down all touched hard surfaces.

Knight Barry also can handle document signing online and give customers their proceeds in a way they prefer.

The remote online notarization allows us to keep our offices free of unneeded visitors, explained Haskins. While we love to have you in the closing rooms, at this point in time, wed like to limit the number of people coming into the room and limit those closings just to the people who need to sign the documents when possible. Weve also had many requests for in-home closings. While it seems like a great idea, those are becoming harder and harder for us to plan around and organize.

Rocket Mortgage states on in its website that it is taking extraordinary measures to complete customers real estate transaction in a safe and secure manner, including:

Even though shelter-in-place orders are in effect in many areas of the country, the mortgage process can still continue, Rocket Mortgage states. Appraisers, closing agents and other people who need to enter your home can still do so under the shelter-in-place order. In some cases, we even have alternative ways to complete these parts of the process that dont require entering the home.

To make these precautionary measures as effective as possible, we need your support. When the appraiser or signing agent arrives, they are going to ask to maintain physical distance of at least 6 feet, and they will not shake your hand. This isnt because theyre unfriendly, it is because theyre following CDC guidelines to maintain proper safety. They may even arrive wearing rubber gloves or a face mask as an added precaution. We respect their choice to do so, and ask that you respect it as well.

Kathy Kwak, vice president of title and escrow operations and counsel for Proper Title in Chicago, told Chicago Agent magazine that in order to ensure the safety of her staff, the second-largest title agency in Illinois is encouraging buyers and sellers to provide a power of attorney to their lawyers so that they dont need to attend the closing at all.

In a typical curbside transaction, the magazine reports that buyers and their agents show up in separate cars and are met outside by a title company closer, who will collect the buyers drivers license, signature and cashiers or certified check. Before the closing, the buyers attorney must review the loan and closing documents.

Kwak pointed out that although the overall process is much safer, the excitement of closing on a home is somewhat diminished. This is a big moment for many buyers, she said, noting that the pandemic has taken away that whole ceremony. All of that now has been removed. Its so robotic and routine now.

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From Curb Service To Porch Signings, Title Companies Get Creative With Social Distancing Options For Closings - Forbes

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MOUNTAIN HOUSE, Calif. (KTXL) -- If a picture is worth a thousand words, what photographer Katie Scott is doing around her Mountain House community tells a beautiful story.

Scott had the idea to take photos of families on their porches during her afternoon walk.

She posted her idea online and since then more than 50 requests have been made for the mini photoshoots.

I love being able to capture those moments between families, between kids and parents. Of course, I love kids, Scott said.

It was supposed to be just a fun thing to do to get people out of their homes for a few minutes but to the families, the photos mean so much more.

Michele Morris and Brandon Clark had their photos taken by Scott.

He's 13 and I'm not going to have but a few more years before he's gone and I'm trying to just really enjoy every moment, Morris said.

Scott is putting her photography skills to use while snapping family porch-raits from a distance as the state remains under a stay-at-home order.

To see the smile on a lot of these families faces has been so awesome and so fun, Scott explained.

For families, the laughs and smiles shared during the mini photoshoots will be a happy memory to take away from a time of uncertainty.

A lot of stress and then the worry of keeping everyone safe, keeping everyone healthy and it just kind of takes your mind off of that a little bit, Alicia Baxter said.

It just seemed like something fun to do, something to kind of make us smile and break the monotony of being in the house, Morris said.

Ronna Green said she will look back on the photos and always remember the time spent with family and the kindness of a neighbor.

The first thing Ill remember from the photos is the generosity of the photographer, the idea that she had to give families this opportunity, Green said. That's probably most important because I feel like in times like this, it's what we do for each other, to help and support each other.

That matters most a picture-perfect sense of community during a global pandemic.

That's made me really happy, being able to see the joy in other people's faces just from getting their pictures taken for a few minutes, Scott said.

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Mountain House photographer takes family porch-raits to lift spirits during the coronavirus pandemic - FOX40