The Front Steps Project Camberville with Amanda Macchia Photography

Remember when it felt like the world stopped? Us too.

As a photographer, I typically spend many hours each week capturing images of happy couples, families, and people in times of joy. When COVID-19 hit and everything shut down, I knew those moments were still happening, but that I just can’t be there to capture them.

When Cara Soulia started The Front Steps Project it felt like a breath of fresh air and I knew I wanted to be involved. We immediately set out to find a non profit that was actively working to help families in our community struggling as a result of the pandemic, which is what led us to Food For Free.

We raised $2,300, and photographed over 80 households. We traveled to Cambridge, Somerville, Medford, and Arlington. We stayed socially distanced, and kept the sessions limited to 5-10 minutes a piece.

The purpose of the project was to bring us together when we might feel isolated, highlighting the faces of our community during a time when we might not see them in passing at the grocery store, coffee shop, on the train or at the gym.

This project was the highlight of my day every day that I did it, and I heard from so many of our families and community members who felt the same. Even when it was hard, like when we had to capture our beloved Inman Oasis closing, it was incredibly moving. I want to extend a big thanks to everyone who participated, and enjoy all the photos of happy babies, front line and essential workers, adorable cats, silly puppies, and beautiful, smiling families.

Thanks for being you.