Alone, Together

Local Photographer Documents Home Life During Stay-At-Home Order with "Porchraits"

by Abby Meaux Conques

If you were on social media these last couple of months, chances are you’ve come across a new 2020 photographic marvel, “Porchraits.”

During what would normally be an active Spring schedule for photographer LeeAnn B Stephan regarding weddings, engagements, and the like, the mandatory stay-at-home order regarding COVID-19 put a drastic halt to all gatherings of 10 people or more, postponing or cancelling photographic work she counts on.

Although her paid photographic gigs were paused, Stephan would not stay idle during these days which had become obligatory “down time” for most families. “I felt like this time was so important...that I had to document it in a way,” she said.

Stephan spent the next days after the stay-at-home order letting people know she was offering sessions capturing images of families from their front porches...at no charge. “It just felt like something I was meant to do. I wanted to capture these moments in time from the point of view of someone who would be walking on the sidewalk past these homes, seeing these families on their porches and in their windows,” she explained.

The self-assignment began as an idea and grew into a fullscale project in a short amount of time. “It began as a little project with my film camera, and I was just taking my digital camera with me as backup; I was taking my time in the beginning.” Stephan would soon get more requests from families who wanted documentation of this stay-at-home event.

“I was getting so many requests, and I didn’t want to turn anyone down, so I switched to digital to be more efficient.” People from all over the area requested porchraits by Stephan. She took many invitations and began to cull her subjects a bit by seeking out people who she specifically felt contributed to the fabric of what makes Acadiana wonderful. “I felt like I was under such a time crunch...like I had to get these moments before this time fled before me. It was like I was in a race for my own self.”

One of Stephan’s signature ways of capturing moments is through the use of reflection. “You can see in my previous work that I use windows and mirrors when I can; I like the look of double exposure and multiple meanings.” Her adoration for incorporating window shots paired perfectly with her new project since windows served as the primary way many families had to communicate with each other. Grandparents were staying connected with grandchildren through windows. Many times windows and glass doors were (and still are) the only semblance close to touch that some family members were (are) able to achieve. Stephan’s photographing of families through their windows was like being able to give them little glimpses of their genuine everyday lives in a few well-composed images; and with the sharp economic downturn, they could have those moments captured without having the worry of being able to afford the service.

I asked her if she was away from her family for those 240+ (yes, you read that correctly) sessions she offered.

“70-75% of the time, my family was in the car with me. I had sessions scheduled in Mamou, Arnaudville, Breaux Bridge, Loreauville, New Iberia... we packed an ice chest with lunches, snacks and drinks for us and our kids and would drive all over. We got to make our own memories.”

I asked her if what turned into a major project made her realize anything about herself. “It showed me a lot about myself. I’m grateful for the opportunity. It did show me how much I can deep dive into a huge undertaking, and although overwhelming at points, see it through.”

With the stay-at-home order lifted, Stephan decided to close the chapter on her porchrait series in early June. The race against herself has ended and she’s left with the documentation of what will be an interesting and important time in our history, and she was able to record this time for many people who lend themselves to Acadiana’s legacy. I’d say that makes her valiantly victorious in her efforts.