Around the world, people are coming up with all sorts of ways to pass the time while self-isolating, from impromptu neighborhood Zumba classes to quarantine family TikTok series. And photoshoots are a part of that: There's the woman doing family stoop portraits and the photographer using a drone to capture families from their balconies, for just a few examples.
At the same time, people are figuring out new and fun ways to stay connected to their friends, family and community during this time of six-feet-apartness. One neighborhood in Georgetown, Texas, for example, was having a virtual wine night when things escalated.
Photographer Elyssa Seibel, one of the Georgetown ladies in question, told ABC News that her friend and neighbor "decided that a fancy wine night was exactly what she needed, and so she proceeded to put on her wedding dress and take a picture of it -- and let me tell you, she had a blast."
With newfound inspiration, Seibel, along with Jamie Egloff, Bryce Ellerbroek, Shannon Thomas, Nina Wagner and Jaime Sladek, convened outside their homes (always maintaining six feet of distance) with their wedding dresses on, and an impromptu photoshoot commenced.
"After a few glasses of wine, [Nina] decided to call it 'Wedding Dress Wednesday,' and that’s when my photographer brain snapped on," Seibel said. "I asked in our group chat how many of the women could come outside in their wedding dresses to take photos, and no one hesitated."
Scooters were involved.
As were some tipples.
Does this make anyone else think of another group of very close friends and neighbors?
The women did express that staying apart was harder than they thought, especially since the neighborhood is so close-knit. With 14 children between the six family friends, they close off the street every Friday for some games and catching up. Hanging out on the phone simply isn't the same, hence the temptation to get outside and mess around.
"Five women outside of their homes in old wedding dresses, can you imagine? It was hilarious and epic," Seibel said. "The posing was crazy, because we’re always used to being up in each other’s business, so having to keep that strict separation was tough."
Sladek, a teacher, shared, "It had been a rough day with trying to manage online classes...so just being able to get out on the street and see each other as we’ve never seen each other before was a really good feeling. It was so ridiculous but, it brought a lot of joy."
"I think we take for granted the little bit of human interaction we get each day. Even just walking down the street and saying hi to a neighbor. This definitely puts a lot of things into perspective, to be able to not only give ourselves a laugh and a little break from the stress of this crisis," Seibel added. "I think the goal is to find as much happiness as possible in all this craziness. We’re all in this together and all helping each other find ways to cope."
Inspired? Grab your family and go do something ridiculous!