IMAGINERIES wrote:
2020 wasn't a very good year....

Angel House Portraits wrote:
Photographic wise

You can say that again.

4 sets all Year, it's been a disaster.

IMAGINERIES wrote:
Virus, climate, economy, (des)-United States, fake news from all sides, pathetic congress, anything else?...
2021....We can only hope, just hope....But, maybe for the first time people are voting, doesn't mean the next Washington
will accomplice miracles

This post reminds me of the old Asian parable about the old man meeting a traveler on his way into the village asking what kind of people would he find there.  The old man asks what kind of people there were in the village the traveler came from, the traveler described mean and vindictive villagers who treated people badly, the old man said you will find those same people in this village.  A few minutes later the old man meets another traveler headed toward the village asking the same question, the old man asks the same question of the second traveler.  Traveler #2 describes leaving a village filled with kind and thoughtful friends who would give you the shirt off their back.  The old man told traveler #2 that's the kind of people you will find in this village.
Personally I've had a great year filled with personal growth and acquiring new friends as a result of the pandemic.  If not for the pandemic I would probably have never met these people.  I could have chosen to tell you about my chronic migraines, shoulder that will probably require surgery, blowing out my Achilles tendon, the lens I broke when my camera fell out of my camera bag and a few other calamities but I would rather focus on my new friends, new experiences and personal growth I experienced in 2020.

JustHenry wrote:
This post reminds me of the old Asian parable about the old man meeting a traveler on his way into the village asking what kind of people would he find there.  The old man asks what kind of people there were in the village the traveler came from, the traveler described mean and vindictive villagers who treated people badly, the old man said you will find those same people in this village.  A few minutes later the old man meets another traveler headed toward the village asking the same question, the old man asks the same question of the second traveler.  Traveler #2 describes leaving a village filled with kind and thoughtful friends who would give you the shirt off their back.  The old man told traveler #2 that's the kind of people you will find in this village.
Personally I've had a great year filled with personal growth and acquiring new friends as a result of the pandemic.  If not for the pandemic I would probably have never met these people.  I could have chosen to tell you about my chronic migraines, shoulder that will probably require surgery, blowing out my Achilles tendon, the lens I broke when my camera fell out of my camera bag and a few other calamities but I would rather focus on my new friends, new experiences and personal growth I experienced in 2020.

Exactly! If one looks for reasons to be offended, frustrated or angry they will surely find them. I choose to look for reasons to be grateful and happy and I find them. It doesn't mean I stick my head in the sand and don't understand the things going on in the world. It means that I see them but I choose to focus on the positive rather than negative. Shit storms bring opportunities to dig deep down and find strength in yourself, to adapt, to embrace change and find joy.

CaliModels wrote:
One by product of the pandemic, it's easier to get models vs previous years, when they had too much to do.

This also may be a chance for MM to make a comeback.

That's a good point, I hadn't exactly thought of it that way, but I have seen some things like that.

Many photographers are in an at risk population and are taking stronger distancing measures at their own volition. Many models are willing to risk exposure at their own discretion as they are not in at risk populations.

MoRina wrote:
I can't complain! It has been a pretty good year for me.

Been a rollercoaster for me, but it was necessary.

My businesses slowed to a halt and I was not eligible for any stimulus! Had no payroll so no payroll stimulus, was not employed so no unemployment stimulus. But I got lucky that all my bills were paused for two quarters straight and I figured it out in time.

Any other year with a disruption in income like that and I would have been out on my ass! Yeesh!

C.C. Holdings  wrote:
Many models are willing to risk exposure at their own discretion as they are not in at risk populations.

...and then go have Thanksgiving with Grandma, Grampa, Mummy & Daddy, Aunt Mildred and don’t forget lovable old Uncle Jimmy.

What are you bringing for Thanksgiving dinner?

Baanthai wrote:

...and then go have Thanksgiving with Grandma, Grampa, Mummy & Daddy, Aunt Mildred and don’t forget lovable old Uncle Jimmy.

What are you bringing for Thanksgiving dinner?

There is a Normal Rockwell-esque painting for you.  A family gathered around the Thanksgiving table.  Elderly people sitting in their chairs, a elderly woman with a platter holding a large turkey, and a young adult woman coming through the door, her coat on, carrying a covered casserole dish.  And the traditional figure of death formed in a mist in the doorway behind her.  "Welcome home dear, what did you bring for dinner?"

C.C. Holdings  wrote:
Many photographers are in an at risk population and are taking stronger distancing measures......

When photographing people, I generally shoot with a 50mm lens.  That pretty much guarantees I'll be at least six feet from my subject!