#stayINtogether
Self Portraits in Quarantine
Name: Christina Stoever
Age: 24
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Occupation: I’m a freelance photographer, as well as an offline editor at Glossier Flagship in New York City.
Do you remember how you felt when learning of COVID-19’s pandemic status?
Christina Stoever: It was the first day of 2020 when I had heard of COVID-19 beginning to infect people in China. I felt anxiety I feel whenever the media starts talking about an unknown virus hitting the human population. When it was declared a pandemic, I felt scared but united with the rest of the world in that we are all about to face a very unsure next few months together.
What's your daily routine?
CS: Wake up at noon, fetch some coffee, relocate to the couch. I’m in the process of moving right now so I’ve been filling my days with apartment hunting, packing, plus hours on Etsy and Facebook Marketplace. Just all of the moving tasks. I get to skincare at some point, and [then] constant self-reassurance that it is okay to be unproductive. It’s a pandemic, not a race, not a contest for anything. Then go to bed way too late, rinse and repeat.
One word that describes your quarantine style?
CS: Baggy.
One person you'd like to nominate for #stayINtogether?
CS: @subwayratofficial
Name: Bobae Lee
Age: 25
Location: New York City
Occupation: Freelance jewelry designer/stylist -jewelry design student at Fashion Institute of Technology.
Do you remember how you felt when learning of COVID-19’s pandemic status?
Bobae Lee: Surreal. I didn’t know what to expect and talked about the news a lot with friends.
What's your daily routine?
BL: A typical day would be waking up and trying to drink a cup of water with pineapple and apple cider vinegar, every day. I made a whole batch. Doing the dishes from last night and prepping lunch. I enjoy cooking and plan out the meal the day before in my head. Taking a hot shower. Putting a face mask on right after a shower, every other day. Simple skincare. Then I go on the computer for my jewelry assignments such as painting and 3d designs. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, I have a Zoom class from 9 a.m. - 12/2p.m. Then I’ll cook dinner and sometimes have it with a bottle of wine. I will catch up on some T.V. shows and slowly wind down for the day. At this time I can be doing anything from, doing my nails, haircare, face massage, cleaning the apartment, or stretching. Once I start yawning, I’ll crawl into bed and fall asleep.
One word that describes your quarantine style?
BL: Positive. Anywhere, anytime, in any situation, I believe being positive is the healthiest for me. Being positive without ignoring my true feelings.
One thing you miss the most?
BL: I miss studio time on campus. It’s where I can create jewelry using fire, machines, and tools provided to us in a safe place where we use chemicals that has a good ventilation system. Things we cannot do at home.
One person you'd like to nominate for #stayINtogether?
BL: My friend and quarantine call buddy Mookyeong Kim @mookyeong.
Name: Charles Caesar
Age: 29
Location: New York City
Occupation: Artist
Do you remember how you felt when learning of COVID-19’s pandemic status?
Charles Caesar: I thought first of my family and close friends. You never want your loved ones, or anyone really, to have to experience any kind of stress or chaos. I also found the topic of the virus itself so fatiguing. It’s very real and very serious but also wears on you when it’s the only thing anyone can focus on.
What's your daily routine?
CC: I stretch every morning and so far that’s the only constant. I read, work on projects, communicate with people. There have been some very low days for me emotionally but I’m also tapping into all of the fortunate experiences life has thrown my way and staying grateful.
How would you describe your quarantine style in one word?
CC: I’m having fun with my clothes and pulling looks around the house to entertain myself. No work means no shopping so I’ve been playing with the styles I already have and seeing what new energy I can give.
One thing you miss the most?
CC: Photo[shoot] sets.
One person you'd like to nominate for #stayINselfie?
CC: Choi Woo-shik. I just watched Parasite for the third time and definitely have a crush
Name: Rachel
Age: 27
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Occupation: Healthcare, patient coordinator in outpatient oncology.
Do you remember how you felt when learning of COVID-19’s pandemic status?
Rachel: When I first heard about COVID-19 touching down in America, I was very stressed and scared. I have a rare form of vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels) that has caused an autoimmune disease. I have been on immune-suppressing treatments for 10 years and I am an extremely high-risk patient. The chemotherapy that I’m on right now is prescribed to lower my immune systems function. Having no immune system is safer than having the immune system I was born with. So the medication I’m on blocks TNF, a protein produced by white blood cells, from my system. Without TNF it’s unlikely, even with a major virus like COVID-19, for me to produce a fever. The fear and stress comes from 15 years of medical trauma and having a rare disease that hardly anybody knows about.15 years of people not taking my symptoms and body seriously. If I were to go to the ER with COVID-19 symptoms but I have no fever, would they take me seriously? Looking at my medical records you can see that I am a complicated patient that will likely take up lots of time and precious resources. What happens to people like me in a time like this?
On the flip side, I feel completely prepared for this experience. I have been preparing all of my life. The way I am living now is not much different than how I usually navigate the world. I am used to being sick and in the house for long periods of time. I am used to wearing a mask and being vigilant with how much I touch things. I am used to being scared of getting sick and dying. I have touched base with my chronically ill friends and we are on the same page. I am prepared but sad to see people finally caring about public health because now healthy people are at risk.
What's your daily routine?
R: I usually wake up and lay in bed, snuggling with my cat. Then I make my way down to the kitchen to make some kind of coffee or tea drink. I’m really missing my fruity Starbucks tea drinks so I have been trying to create my own. I am lucky enough to be able to work from home, so I settle at my desk and work for eight hours. While I work I like to watch documentaries or listen to podcasts. I set a goal for myself this year to watch all of Werner Herzog's filmography, so I am catching up on that. I love Ezra Koenegs radio show called “Time Crisis" on Apple music, and the Comedy Bang Bang Podcast. I usually make lunch for my roommate and me, then after I clock out, I like to smoke a joint in the bathtub. After the bath, I feed my pet rats and my cats. I spend the rest of my night either cooking, playing sims, or playing video games. I spend an ungodly amount of time on Sims.
How would you describe your quarantine style in one word?
R: Juicy
One thing you miss the most?
R: Shopping and going on dates!
One person you'd like to nominate for #stayINselfie?
R: My beautiful, hilarious, well-read, abolitionist badass friend Bilphena @goldwomyn
Name: Hannah Siegfried
Age: 28
Location: Chicago, IL
Occupation: Greenhouse manager/fashion photographer
Do you remember how you felt when learning of COVID-19’s pandemic status?
Hannah Siegfried: It's all so weird! I honestly had no idea what it meant or how to feel.
What's your daily routine?
HS: It definitely varies every day. Some days I still go to work and water plants, then other daily activities include going on walks in my neighborhood, sitting out on my back porch when it’s sunny, and watching movies!
One thing you miss the most?
HS: Chili’s.
Name: Karishma Pranjivan
Age: 26
Location: Toronto, Canada
Occupation: Artist
Do you remember how you felt when learning of COVID-19’s pandemic status?
Karishma Pranjivan: It was the weekend of my birthday (March 11th) when the announcements about COVID-19 were made in Canada. Things started to get more serious in terms of precautionary measures and there was talk about closing all non-essential stores and services. I was fortunate enough to celebrate my actual Birthday at a restaurant and bar, with a group of people I love dearly. I feel very grateful for those moments and memories.
What's your daily routine?
KP: Sleep has become integral to my routine – I wake up everyday around 6:30am and I'm usually in bed by 11pm. I've found that waking up early really helps set the tone and intention for the day. After that I'll have a glass of warm lemon water and head straight into the shower. I'll have a quick chai and toast for breakfast then take my dog Mojo for a walk. By this time it's around 9am and I'm fully settled into work. I'm currently in the midst of launching a skincare and wellness brand so my days are usually consumed by managing this and any freelance work I've taken on. It's been a pretty busy time for me. These portraits embody what I'd really love to do more of – absolutely nothing. It's been difficult for me to find a balance between work and rest. Although what's happening all over the world right now is extremely somber and troubling, the positive side of it becomes the extra time we all have. I've felt a real pressure (inflicted upon myself) to make the most of this time and be as productive as possible. Over the last month I've started to implement some things into my routine which allow me to pause and reset, this has been invaluable to my mental health.
How would you describe your quarantine style in one word?
KP: Sweats, oversized tees, yoga pants and sports bras. Cozy and casual.
One thing you miss the most?
KP: Hugs
One person you'd like to nominate for #stayINselfie?
KP: @urgalsal
Name: Zhamak Fullad (photographed by Raheem Hercule)
Age: TIMELESS
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: Photographer/Director
Do you remember how you felt when learning of COVID-19’s pandemic status?
Zhamak Fullad: I felt scared that America might become a LOT more intense for POC than it already is. I felt terrified for all my freelance friends that pay their bills through interactive art forms. I felt that my thoughts of moving from America were now validated.
What's your daily routine?
ZF: Wake up at 7-8 AM eat breakfast and start working on all the projects I’ve procrastinated on since I started my photography career.
How would you describe your quarantine style in one word?
ZF: Reflective
One thing you miss the most?
ZF: I don’t miss anything to be honest!
One person you'd like to nominate for #stayINselfie?
ZF: I’d like to nominate @elizabethamiranda
#stayINtogether