sjnPHOTO

C o n n e c t e d T o W a t e r

Steve Nesius

Terra Ceia Island, Florida, United States

The Corona Diaries: Terra Ceia Island

March 22, 2020  /  Steve Nesius

Today it’s so different, but still looks the same. Today we are living in a world few, if any, have ever experienced.

As some of you may know, I’m a photojournalist. I cover news and sports for newspapers and the wire services. I also sell nature photography at art festivals. The coronavirus has shut down our towns and cities – and all my work.

While biking around Terra Ceia in recent days, seeing our neighbors walking along Bayshore Drive or working in their yards, I’ve been thinking of how I can use my skills to capture this historic global event from the perspective of our island community.

9:46 a.m. March 21, 2020. Ernie, keeping his social distance on a morning walk

9:46 a.m. March 21, 2020. Ernie, keeping his social distance on a morning walk

I want to document our neighborhood life in a safe and responsible way and create images to tell our story as we navigate through these coming days. I’d like to photograph you outside your homes, on the porch, through a window, on a walk, or bike ride around our island.

I will use a telephoto lens to take a portrait or candid photo while at a safe distance.

This is strictly voluntary. If you’re interested to be part of this project, see the details below. If you’re not interested, I’ll still wave hello, but won’t take your photo if I see you in the neighborhood.

9:43 a.m. March 21, 2020. Father and son, Tom and Jack

9:43 a.m. March 21, 2020. Father and son, Tom and Jack

This idea has been in my head for several days now. Especially since I photographed an assignment for Reuters this week showing massive amounts of people gathered on Clearwater Beach in stark contrast to how my family and neighbors were facing our reality back at home in Terra Ceia.

9:35 a.m. March 21, 2020. David and Susan

9:35 a.m. March 21, 2020. David and Susan

To join this project:

  • Click on the contact link at the top of my web page and fill in the boxes. Add “Corona Diaries: TCI” in the subject line and provide contact information.

  • I’ll send you a model release to be signed and returned before the start of any portrait session (approximately 5-10 minutes)

  • When you return the model release to me, please answer these three questions:

    • What is the most challenging part of the coronavirus pandemic you’ve faced so far?

    • What is the most positive experience you’ve had since this started?

    • What do you want to remember most from this experience?

To view this project:

  • Go to my web site: https://www.sjnphoto.com

  • Click on “The Corona Diaries: Terra Ceia Island”

This will be an ongoing visual project with the images posted to my web site. I will only publish first names and not specific locations.

After I take your picture, I will email you a digital image of each photo I post.

Many of us are already staying in place as things close and tighten around us. We are all living in it. This is a historical event that will be talked about for generations.

Please let me know if you are interested in this project. Contact me with any questions.

Be smart and stay safe.

Steve