Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Times

Together, we have lived through extraordinary times. We’ve worked to remain strong and hopeful, while also acknowledging the hard truths that surfaced during the Covid-19 pandemic—and as we began to emerge from it.

In April 2020, I began visiting families across Boise and the surrounding area, photographing them on their porches and listening as they shared what life felt like during this defining moment in history. These stories, paired with portraits, offer a glimpse into the first months of the pandemic—moments of uncertainty, resilience, closeness, and change. Perhaps in them you’ll recognize echoes of your own story, or discover experiences different from your own. Because no matter the details, we all have a story to share.

In its second year, the Porch Story Project continued to document families one year later, culminating in the community exhibition Porch Story: Life During a Pandemic in 2021. This exhibition invited the public to reflect on what isolation looked like—and what it meant to begin moving forward again.

To all who participated: thank you. This growing narrative is not only worth sharing, it is essential.