In the midst of darkness, light can always shine through. Kelly Rodriguez’s #FrontPorchProject that took place in Lake Nona is an excellent example of light shining through to our community. Get to know photographer Kelly Rodriguez, her #FrontPorchProject, and how she was able to make us all smile throughout the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Nonahood News: Tell us about your #frontporchproject.
Kelly Rodriguez: Following many photographers around the world through social media, I came across the story of a photographer in Boston who started a Front Steps Project. Knowing businesses were closed now due to COVID-19 and my kids home with me, I felt like I needed to give back … so, inspired by a few other photographers in the world, I started my #frontporchproject here in Lake Nona.
NHN: What drove you to begin the #frontporchproject?
KR: I am a long-distance runner and last year ran the Chicago Marathon as a charity runner, raising money for Ronald McDonald House Charities. Seeing their needs right now, and especially since we have one right here in Lake Nona next to Nemours, I felt like it was the perfect way to help someone during this time and keep it to a local need. They have been posting about needing supplies, families unable to go out for fresh groceries on their own, and their share-a-meal program on hold during the uncertainty. So it was an easy decision to choose to fundraise for them and help anyway I could.
NHN: How long have you been a photographer?
KR: I am a portrait and brand photographer who has been photographing for the past 20 years. I originally grew up and started my photography journey living in Miami, moved to NYC for a handful of years, and finally moved here to Lake Nona about a year and a half ago. I also work part-time for a gorgeous photography magazine. I just finalized everything to begin my own portrait business here in Orlando when COVID-19 hit.
NHN: About how many family portraits have you taken during the course of this project?
KR: I really thought I would only get a handful of families here in Laureate Park that I already knew personally who would participate. A week or two into my project, I was blown away with a full inbox of requests for #frontporchproject sessions! With my kids home from school, stay-at-home orders, and all the uncertainty about the virus, I had to quickly limit my project to only Laureate Park, where I live, and had to turn down session requests from all over Orlando as they heard about the project. After photographing 51 families in total and raising over $2,000 combined through my Facebook fundraiser link, direct donations to RMHCCF, and purchases off of their Amazon Wish List, I decided to conclude the project to refocus on my family, my kids’ digital distance learning, and the possibility of one day actually opening my business for regular portrait sessions so my business can one day thrive here in Orlando.
NHN: What’s next for you after this project? After the quarantine?
KR: I look forward to easing into reopening for portrait sessions again and hope to see some of the families I photographed for the #frontporchproject again for full portrait family sessions or more. I loved connecting with everyone, meeting more neighbors during a time of social distancing than I could’ve imagined. I’m grateful I was able to bring smiles to the Nonahood and raise money to help a local cause. It might have been just a drop in the bucket right now, but I’m happy I was able to use photography to help others … including helping families remember this time, put on makeup for the first time in weeks, and just smile as a family.
NHN: What’s the most rewarding aspect of your #frontporchproject?
KR: I photographed a couple on their “cancelled” wedding day. They didn’t think they would have photos taken to remember the day at all, but just before they were married through an iPad with their friends live-streaming in, I was able to do a #frontporchsession for them. I also was able to photograph a couple high school graduating seniors who were in the midst of missing their prom. It was in THESE moments I felt like I was giving back to more than RMHC … I was giving to each family that participated a sense of community … connectedness, remembering this time, smiling, posing with signs, making silly faces for photos.
The best was realizing that everyone was just having fun with the photos. There was not the pressure families usually have when doing a traditional portrait session .. getting it all right. This was just us, raw, stepping out on front porches and doing it for a good cause. It was so much better than I could’ve imagined. I am beyond grateful for everyone I photographed, everyone who I met and connected with through this time of distancing from each other, and all for a good cause.
Photos Courtesy of Kelly Rodriguez
