CELEBRATING FAMILIES IN LOCKDOWN… FROM THE DRIVEWAY
Like many, photographer Maja Szumylo had her work halted overnight as the world went into lockdown.
So when the Gold Coast mother-of-two discovered the #drivewayproject, where families are photographed from a safe distance in their driveways, she knew she had to join in. “I was thinking about ways I could do something to make people smile,” says Maja. Posting to Facebook, Maja, 39, offered free mini-shoots in an effort to create a positive outlook for the community. And soon her inbox was flooded. Throughout lockdown she snapped eight socially distanced shoots a week, spurred on by the smiles of her subjects. Encouraging each family to wear something unique to their story, Maja photographed firefighters, superheroes, surfers and even a bride and groom celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary.
“I was motivated by people’s mental state… I tried to do something to connect us in times when everybody was isolated,” she says.
“The families said it made them focus on the positive. Seeing people smiling and having fun made me feel better too.” Follow Maja on Instagram at @emotional_photography_ and at emotional photography. com.au