On March 9, 2020, Stanford sent home its researchers for what turned out to be a much longer period than anyone could have expected. At that point, no Stanford labs were studying SARS-CoV-2, education professors were not considering how to rapidly convert school curricula to home-schooling kits, and psychologists and economists were not thinking about the mental and financial impacts of a shelter-in-place order. Within a few short weeks, though, faculty from around campus had mobilized to help guide people through the pandemic.
As University Communications grappled with how to tell these stories entirely remotely, university photographer Andrew Brodhead had to really think about how to continue to create work with strict guidelines and social distancing in place. What started out as more of a necessity for creating content turned into a series of images that draw the viewer into each individual’s little quarantine world, and the feelings that come along with isolation. This series, which depicts Stanford's researchers in their homes and often surrounded by children and spouses, illustrates the resilience and innovation of Stanford's researchers, as well as our photographer.
From the Judges
We loved the experimental factor of this submission. Creating a series of images to be published through Zoom screenshots is certainly creative problem-solving. These are stunning environmental portraits of the school's researchers at home are even more impressive because of the restrictions and techniques used to capture them. We can appreciate the great time and care it took to location scout and pose the subject by proxy. Great job!
