The last few months have changed our world around. The weight of the pandemic and the quarantine have tested the limits of our mental health, our physical abilities, our social habits and our work habits.
With the world mostly on pause during quarantine and many of us feeling the ups and downs of our new normal, we wanted to bring some uplifting fun and excitement through photography to the community with this Quarantine Portraits project by our stellar photographer Paulina Fadrowska. We checked in with a few neighbors (myself included) at a distance for a fun photoshoot to illustrate beauty amid dark times and to see how neighbors survived quarantine, how momentous life events were celebrated in a new way and what the most memorable part about quarantine has been.
Carrie Willman and Bill Veine
What is the story behind your flower head piece?
Carrie Willman: I bought it at a second-hand shop in the ’90s. It didn’t originally look like it does now, it was more of an Easter bonnet, but I knew I had to have it. The main reason that I wanted it was because it fit atop my large cranium, and vintage hats usually don’t. My dear friend, Robin, embellished it with a few more flowers, and it was perfect for my 50th birthday party a few years ago. I haven’t worn in since, but dressing up for the photoshoot seemed like a perfect opportunity.
What was the most memorable part of quarantine?
The most memorable part of quarantine thus far would probably be my attempts at remote learning with my middle school students. At one point, I dropped off some supplies to one of my students. She answered the door in her pajamas in the middle of the day, and she looked like such a lost little kid. I think about her often, and how this is so hard on my students, especially those with parents who don’t have jobs that allow them to work from home. My school does not yet have a plan for the fall, and of course safety comes first, but these kids really need to be in school. I really miss seeing all of them so much.
What did you enjoy about participating in the photoshoot?
The best part of quarantine portraits, aside from donning my crown again, was meeting Paulina Fadrowska. She is a very talented photographer, but aside from that, she is such a warm, kind, lovely person. LoganSquarist is lucky to have her.
The Williamson Family
How has it been raising a baby during the pandemic?
Jamie Williamson: It’s honestly been amazing. I only went back to work for six weeks after my maternity leave before my school closed down (I am a teacher). I am very grateful that I got to spend all this time with him and witness all his firsts. Plus, my husband works from home too, so he’s been here with us!
What was the most memorable part of quarantine?
At the beginning, we used to do theme nights every Friday. My favorite was tiki night. We all dressed up in tiki clothes, put tiki music on the TV and got the tiki drink kid from Three Dots and a Dash!
How has Logan Square made it bearable?
There are so many great restaurants that we have been able to get take out food from. Plus, there are so many beautiful streets to take walks down (we love walking down Kedzie).
What did you like about being part of the Quarantine Portraits, especially with them being the first family portraits with your child?
It was something to look forward to, a reason to get dressed up! Grandma has quarantined with [us]. She lives in Skokie and has a lot of underlying conditions, so we decided to move her in with us during the pandemic — this way we could keep her safe and no one had to quarantine alone!
The Meza Family
What was it like to graduate during quarantine?
Isaiah Meza, 18 years old: Graduating online during quarantine has made me feel special in a way since this has never happened to anyone else. Knowing this will go down in history is really interesting.
Xavier Meza, 14 years old: It was weird graduating during quarantine because there wasn’t really a ceremony and we weren’t surrounded by our classmates. My school had a drive-by graduation which was nice but weird wearing a cap, gown and a mask (but it was my favorite Cubs mask).
Crystal Meza: It broke my heart that both my sons were graduating during the quarantine. We were not able to celebrate their accomplishments with the usual commencement. But I constantly reminded them this current situation will not stop their future goals!
What was the most memorable part of quarantine?
Xavier: The most memorable part of quarantine was spending time with family.
Isaiah: Right before the quarantine I was part of an internship program at the Planetarium. I was almost done completing a project. The pandemic completely shifted the kind of project that was being made but we made it work.
Crystal: The most memorable part of the pandemic was no traffic. No traffic during my commute to and from work was wonderful!!
What did you like about being part of the Quarantine Portraits?
Isaiah: Having the opportunity of being part of this project is amazing since tons of people will see it and I’m happy to share my experience. I hope we all get through this time and whatever else comes along the way.
Xavier: What I liked about being part of the Quarantine Portraits is that I now have a way to remember my graduation.
Crystal: My sons and I enjoyed the photoshoot so much because it helped take our minds off all the craziness, even if it was just for a moment. It was just what we needed.
Lisa Wolf
How has your running workout changed during the quarantine?
I actually just moved to Chicago in January and had joined the 3RUN2, a running group that has weekly runs in Logan Square. It is definitely more fun to run with others so quarantine has been an adjustment. I have been running solo since March and I have been trying to run in the early morning or late at night to try to stay as socially distant as possible.
What was the most memorable part of quarantine?
A lot of my friends also run. Back in March and April, everyone’s upcoming races were being postponed or canceled and we didn’t yet have all the virtual race options that have popped up since then. So, I planned a fun “Social Distancing Half Marathon” for my friends in April, complete with finisher ribbons that I designed. I had never planned a race before, so it was a fun thing to do with my extra free time while everything was closed.
How has it been moving to a new city just before quarantine?
I used running to explore Logan Square and pick out places that I wanted to visit when things returned to normal. Running through the neighborhood in the heat this summer is also how I discovered Miko’s Italian Ice, which is my new favorite place to end my run when it’s hot outside!
What did you like about being part of the Quarantine Portraits?
This was a such fun opportunity to feel like part of the neighborhood.
Ariel Parrella, Kathleen Niemann and Clayton Usher
What was the most memorable part of quarantine?
Kathleen Niemann: Having Palmer and Humboldt parks close by and being able to go on daily walks has been nice because we didn’t do that before. I also have loved spending more time with my boyfriend and friend, and am thankful our little chosen family blends so well together.
Ariel Parrella: I echo all of that. I’m grateful for living with these two kind souls during this time and really getting cozy in our home. Also, biking out of the city with friends has been a highlight, as well as distant porch hangs with our neighbors.
How have you connected more to the community?
Ariel: I’ve written many (mostly positive) neighborhood stories that have kept the community engaged, hopeful and informed during this hectic time, which has allowed me to connect with neighbors and see the beautiful ways we have come together despite being physically distant.
Kathleen: What I love about Logan is our good friends live around here so it feels like our community is continuously getting better. It feels like home.
What did you like about being part of this project?
Kathleen: I loved doing Ariel’s hair because I love braiding her hair and I got to make her look like a Frida Kahlo princess! I also love themes and getting dressed up, so it was fun for us all to fit into a sunflower theme and use the community garden near our house as the perfect backdrop.
Ariel: I enjoyed trying something new and having an excuse to get fancy after wearing my “quarantine clothes” all the time — and channel my inner Frida Kahlo, who is a role model. I also loved our sunflower theme and hanging out with my dear friend Paulina to see her work magic in action! This experience was a ray of sunshine in cloudy weather that made us all smile!
All photos: Paulina Fadrowska | @paulinafadrowska
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