Photoshoots on top of photoshoots. That’s what I had planned for the upcoming weeks before Covid-19 cancelled all of our social lives. I was preparing for a weekend of photoshoots with the UDress fashion magazine as well as planning spring photoshoots with several of my friends. I was excited to be gaining more experience with different models and trying new concepts for portraits that I’ve never tried before. Then in the blink of an eye, I found myself packing up everything in my dorm and back in my own bedroom at home. It was so sudden. Everything was shutting down and it felt like all the structure that I had in my life had completely collapsed. I had no distinct schedule to my days and no official work to do. I found myself struggling to go to bed at a reasonable time and an even harder time getting up in the morning. For the first few days back at home, I lacked motivation to do anything productive.
After a few days, I finally decided to unpack and organize everything I had brought back from my dorm and completely rearranged and redecorated my room. In addition, my many folders of images from trips over the summer and winter break could finally be sorted through and edited. This has been my favorite pastime and gives me a sense of comfort knowing that I am growing as an artist and learning to understand my photography and editing styles. Cleaning and decluttering not just tangible items but images as well has definitely given me something to do and I slowly gained structure in my life through household chores, cooking for my family, making lattes, journaling in my bullet journal, and editing photos.
Image from Guatemala that I finally got around to editing! 
Dalgona milk (a popular drink in Korea) 
Matcha latte! 
Another image from Guatemala that I finally edited
Of course, as soon as I was finding a routine for myself at home, online classes began. Starting off my first week of online classes with two exams was definitely not ideal but it definitely put me back in the mindset of being a student! While there was an overwhelming amount of work, I found that it was still manageable and actually quite good for me. Fortunately, my schoolwork is really keeping me in check and I’m doing fairly well. I like that I have gained some more structure within my daily routines through home work assignments and zoom sessions for classes. I’m thankful that technology has allowed me to stay connected with my friends, that I can continue to do schoolwork as necessary, and most importantly that I am safe at home and with my family.
Joanna Lee
English 110 Honors Spring 2020 
First of all, your pictures are beautiful, and I really enjoyed seeing them throughout your post! Everything that you had spoken about previously was tied so nicely together by the line, “cleaning and decluttering not just tangible items but images as well,” and I think it was a great addition to your piece. I also really liked the section about how everything happened so suddenly. It described my feelings, and I’m sure so many others, so well. It felt like one second everyone was burying themselves in their books to get ready for exams, and the next we were all home wondering what just happened. Great job on your post, good luck with your classes, and I hope you and your family stay safe!
-Sydney Rubin
LikeLiked by 1 person
The first few days at home were a bit of a struggle for me too, Joanna. It took me a while to unpack because it felt more like I was home for the weekend instead of home for the semester. The suddenness of everything and the collapse of daily structure that you described in your first paragraph is something that I think everyone can relate to. Additionally, I really like the images you posted, especially the one of the guy on the motorcycle. The composition and contrast are great and it’s very aesthetically pleasing. Don’t worry, there will be plenty of time for photoshoots after everything clears up.
-Nick Whaley
LikeLiked by 1 person
Adjusting to life at home has been difficult for me as well, but I commend you for getting out of your funk and back on top of things. It must feel good to have found productive things to fill your time even though you are missing out on photoshoots. I think it is great you are using this time to grow in an area of your photography that you had not previously spent as much time on. Have you been taking new photos at home or focused solely on editing?
LikeLike
I really resonated with your struggle to find motivation upon coming home. It’s really hard for me to return to normalcy when I don’t have classes or events to plan around and the fact that it happened so fast was also difficult. I also think it’s great that you have found organizing and editing to be your coping mechanism to return to “normal.” I like how your writing style emulated your mental process. In the first paragraph you unpack chaotic emotions, but in the following paragraphs you help put the picture back together by organizing, much like you did with your room and photos. As always, your talent with a camera amazes me and I can’t wait to see all the amazing things you will continue to create!
-Cally Carmello
LikeLike