I have a favorites folder on my hard drive. Usually I have one for every year. Favorites in the form of photos. I have found myself scrolling through the favorites folder more than once since we have been in this holding pattern/ new life adjustment time of not knowing when we can work like we used to or what changes may lie ahead. I look through and at first feel happy. There is a lot of joy, people laughing, celebrating, hugging, smiling. I see patterns in my work, and I feel good about some of these moments I have captured.

Then I also have a mild sadness of wondering what the future holds for these kinds of life events my camera and l love to capture. Pride parades, birthday parties, theater events, weddings, sporting events, concerts, fundraisers, collaboration projects, family reunions….

I try not to think about it too much, to be honest. But that’s how I keep my head somewhat above water as we navigate the ever changing somewhat new normal of the week.

So, I decided I needed to pull from these archives and tell some stories. Photos from before, coupled with stories of now. A very safe and wicked socially distant way to do some sort of photo project right now. And hopefully a way for us to connect while we can’t hang out.

I went through the favorites folder(s) and reached out to some humans I know and have good photos of, then asked them a series of questions. One by one, they responded. So the first chunk of this project is gearing up and getting ready to happen!

Please join me as I start a photo project I’m calling From The Archives * a very distanced photo project. I will share here at times and on instagram all the time. Feel free to follow along - you can find me @judybeedlephotography or click on the instagram logo here on my website. Perhaps some of you will see some familiar faces….

As people I have photographed share their stories with me, I find myself feeling extremely grateful for the people I get to work, share my community, and hang out with. So maybe that’s my silver lining.

Can’t wait to celebrate life stuff with people again. But I will wait because we need to.