Positivity on the porch: Auburn teacher photographs families during COVID-19 pandemic – The Citizen

"I just thought it would be so nice to do something to tell the community, 'Hey, we're still here, we're still altogether,'" DeRosa said before pausing and becoming choked up. "Even though it's so hard."

Smith's' family was DeRosa's first session. The teacher visited Smith, Jacob and her children, Marley Foltz, 10, Robert Foltz, 8, and Hagan Smith, 10 months, around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Smith said her family has largely been inside recently, so the session gave them a much-needed break from the home-bound monotony and allowed Smith to do some decorating, as she put a wreath in the background of her porch. She said they bought their house in late September last year so she wanted to "hang a big picture up." Smith said her family was appreciative of DeRosa's efforts.

"I just love her for this, and I think a lot of other people do too," Smith said.

DeRosa stressed she does not want to be paid for this and added she will be accepting donations at some point, but hasn't decided where she wants the money to go.

She talked about what keeps her balancing being a mother of three children and creating lessons for her school children and driving across Auburn for photos.

"The ability to bring happiness to others, everybody needs it right now," she said. "We need something to look forward to, we need something to make us happy."

Staff writer Kelly Rocheleau can be reached at (315) 282-2243 or kelly.rocheleau@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @KellyRocheleau.

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Positivity on the porch: Auburn teacher photographs families during COVID-19 pandemic - The Citizen