The TETON FRONT STEPS PROJECT

When the pandemic hit our part of the world in March of 2020, I felt compelled to action yet paralyzed for how and where to begin helping my community. I knew I was not alone. Others were feeling the urge to help but wanting to keep themselves and other safe. Thus, a seed began germinating. After playing with the idea of photographing this unique time in all of our lives while also raising money for our community, I came across The Front Steps Project started by Cara Soulia and Kristen Collins. They started a movement of photographing people and families in their hometown in Massachusetts and raised money for their community. They generously offered other photographers the tools to duplicate their efforts in their own communities. This is how the seed grew into the Teton Front Steps Project.

I put a call out to our community to see who wanted to participate. The response was overwhelming. Like me, people were craving an opportunity to feel connected to their community, to document this unique time in their lives, and to help meet critical and growing needs in our community.

Below is a collection of some of the images captured during the three days I photographed our community.

In late 2020, a book was made of The Front Steps Project and included families from our valley. You can find and purchase the book here. It is a beautiful book that includes images of people from all over the world.

This project was a collaboration between all involved and I am grateful for the trust and support to make it happen. We raised thousands of dollars through good faith, individual donations to the following organizations: Teton Valley Food Pantry, Teton Valley Community Foundation Emergency Response Fund, or the Community Resource Center.

A huge thanks to my children who served as my assistants during our shoots. They kept track of time at each stop to keep us on schedule and fed me snacks.