Collaborating

during covid-19

with Jennifer De Braga

Without discrediting those essential workers whose lives have been busier than ever been during these difficult times, there are many of us who have been given more than we ever thought we’d have. A global pandemic in and of itself is frightening, as are the consequences it makes to our careers, education, friends and family. In searching for silver linings, I’m thrilled to see so many people take this added time to work on the things they’ve put off for years. Time to reflect on our careers, relationships, goals. Maybe just picking up the book they’ve been meaning to read, or learning a new hobby. If you have been given more time, and it hasn’t been used to do any of the above, that’s also okay, and it’s nothing to feel guilty about. We all process stress differently, and have to remind ourselves that we all have varying degrees of stress, whether due to COVID-19 or not.

I’m generally an optimistic person. I’ve been gifted that luxury, in that I’m safe and can keep this roof over my head. There’s been nothing more helpful to me in keeping this optimism than making something of my time with others that bring the same positivity.

I met Jennifer de Braga (and her amazing husband) when they celebrated their wedding in July 2019; just one week after my own wedding! She told me that if I ever had a shoot in mind, I could always call her. She has a long history in dance, and a successful career as an aerialist. As much as I loved the offer and the thought, I fully believed it wouldn’t happen due to my work schedule. I’m usually gasping for spare time during the wedding season. Covid-19 took a lot away from me this year, and an incredible amount more from others, but it gave me this.

I coordinated in a way that made most sense, without my typical Type A planning. As we’re two creatives, I was excited to see what we could do together with limited planning. I hadn’t even seen her perform before. My usual wedding photography career is nothing but planning, so it felt freeing to leave behind.

I visit this location almost weekly, it’s my safe haven outside of Montréal, so it was an easy decision that I knew would compliment Jen really well.

Besides sorting out our vantage points, the slippery floor of the lake, and testing light directions, we essentially let the camera roll while Jen went through a series of motions that she felt in the moment. The outcome is slightly darker than I’m used to producing, but again that decision came naturally.

Jennifer is so generous with her time and her friendship! She’s been a huge supporter of me (in and outside of my career), and knowing good people like her and her husband make life sweeter.