Self-directed documentary photography project
Featured in: The Face Magazine, BJP and Portrait Of Britain
Throughout Lockdown I documented young couples going through a time of immense change after either being forced together because of the national lockdown or choosing to reside together as a result. I sent a casting call out to photograph and speak to these young couples about their experiences throughout the Covid-19 lockdown.
I had an overwhelming response with couples from all over Newcastle of all ages wanting to be involved.
I have included just a small selection of the stories below.
2 of the images from this series were shortlisted for Portrait of Britain with one of them going on to win the coveted annual award
“We’ve been locked down together for 2 weeks.” of their 2 years and 2 month long relationship, Micheal and Erin explain.
Micheal and Erin both only 17, have recently locked down together. However, for them this decision was not a decision made early on or of a change in circumstance but rather, as part of a long awaited reunion; of Michael's return home from training within the Armed Forces.
Micheal explains that although he is happy to be home and now able to relax, he was required to take his annual leave in order to come home. “I was suppose to [take] it throughout my training but they didn’t want to risk me going home and coming back so I had to do all my training and now this is my two weeks off.”
Erin on the other hand, waiting for Michael's return, has been placed on furlough and so although as Micheal acknowledges “Obviously, [we] haven’t been able to do much in my two weeks off” she appreciates that they at least have each other and can spend a lot more time together “We haven’t been in isolation of that long so it feels like something new.”
“I think it’s one of the best situations to be in in lockdown” Says John, who seems to be speaking on behalf of everyone when he describes their decision to isolate together in lockdown. With some people choosing to isolate at home and spare rooms available, this group of friends, boyfriends and girlfriends, decided to make the very best of a very bad situation.
.
One house, 9 people, 3 couples and a sign in the window to explain their living circumstances (in order to stop the police from continually turning up) later and this dynamic group of mixed personalities seems to be effortlessly showcasing the way to _do_ lockdown. “It’s so good to have everyone together” explains Mhairi “This is our last year of uni, and now it’s been cut short, so now we can all live together for the last bit and cling on.”
.
Providing them all with a sense of normality is each others continued company and the copious amounts of fun they have been able to create together. “I think we keep forgetting that Coronavirus is a thing because it feels normal for us now. That sense of normality has helped us not be as sad about everything” says Caitlin whilst adding that the best part of lockdown has been the parties. “We have a celebration once a week. We celebrate everything! We celebrated my half birthday. We celebrated when Jamie handed in his dissertation. Literally if you breathe you get a celebration!” They all laugh in agreement.
.
However, within the craziness of having 9 characters in one house, Maz and Cesc explain that although it has been mostly fun and games, simply having 8 other people around you as well as their partners means that in such uncertain times there is constant support. “If your having a bad day, there’s 8 other people to come in and give you a hug” Maz smiles whilst, Cesc reflects on the one common feeling throughout the house as she explains “You just get completely overloaded with love.”
.
One house, 9 people, 3 couples and a sign in the window to explain their living circumstances (in order to stop the police from continually turning up) later and this dynamic group of mixed personalities seems to be effortlessly showcasing the way to _do_ lockdown. “It’s so good to have everyone together” explains Mhairi “This is our last year of uni, and now it’s been cut short, so now we can all live together for the last bit and cling on.”
.
Providing them all with a sense of normality is each others continued company and the copious amounts of fun they have been able to create together. “I think we keep forgetting that Coronavirus is a thing because it feels normal for us now. That sense of normality has helped us not be as sad about everything” says Caitlin whilst adding that the best part of lockdown has been the parties. “We have a celebration once a week. We celebrate everything! We celebrated my half birthday. We celebrated when Jamie handed in his dissertation. Literally if you breathe you get a celebration!” They all laugh in agreement.
.
However, within the craziness of having 9 characters in one house, Maz and Cesc explain that although it has been mostly fun and games, simply having 8 other people around you as well as their partners means that in such uncertain times there is constant support. “If your having a bad day, there’s 8 other people to come in and give you a hug” Maz smiles whilst, Cesc reflects on the one common feeling throughout the house as she explains “You just get completely overloaded with love.”
“It’s been really cool to have him around throughout the day, now we can have lunch together as oppose to running across campus to see him and then running back.” For Natalie and long-term boyfriend Isaac, who’ve lived together since mid-2019, lockdown has brought a new wave of appreciation for the small things, in life and in their relationship. Choosing to focus on this has brought a refreshing level of intimacy to the relationship, “We feel a new level of comfort we never thought we could reach”, explains Natalie.
.
“The little micro-interactions you have with your barista, or the person you buy your cinema ticket from at the box office – the tiny interactions between people is what I miss the most.”, explains Natalie, a feeling that as a nation, we have all felt the impact of to some extent, “I guess I do miss human interaction.” Reflecting on this new norm’, Isaac adds how the freedom we’ve had in the UK to go outside has helped him feel “overall bright” and “mentally healthy”, as opposed to some other, more strict restrictions across Europe. “It’s been so nice being in the house and it not being as strict as other countries – we could still leave the house and go skating and cycling etc”
.
Natalie and Isaac have become increasingly aware of their support for each other within the confinements of lockdown, “Before I was furloughed Natalie set up a spare room that I could work and take calls in – making me coffee and lunch etc, just being there and being super supportive I guess.”, says Isaac. It seems the pair have learned to live, work and grow around one another as individuals, while at the same time being a solid support system where necessary, “Right now we have so much time to give our undivided attention if the other person needs it.”, adds Natalie, “It’s lovely to have someone understand your way of thinking, I don’t know. I love you.”
.
“The little micro-interactions you have with your barista, or the person you buy your cinema ticket from at the box office – the tiny interactions between people is what I miss the most.”, explains Natalie, a feeling that as a nation, we have all felt the impact of to some extent, “I guess I do miss human interaction.” Reflecting on this new norm’, Isaac adds how the freedom we’ve had in the UK to go outside has helped him feel “overall bright” and “mentally healthy”, as opposed to some other, more strict restrictions across Europe. “It’s been so nice being in the house and it not being as strict as other countries – we could still leave the house and go skating and cycling etc”
.
Natalie and Isaac have become increasingly aware of their support for each other within the confinements of lockdown, “Before I was furloughed Natalie set up a spare room that I could work and take calls in – making me coffee and lunch etc, just being there and being super supportive I guess.”, says Isaac. It seems the pair have learned to live, work and grow around one another as individuals, while at the same time being a solid support system where necessary, “Right now we have so much time to give our undivided attention if the other person needs it.”, adds Natalie, “It’s lovely to have someone understand your way of thinking, I don’t know. I love you.”
It’s been beautiful to share these moments and speak to all these couples.
But unfortunately, the reality is that for many women, children and men, their living situations are the complete opposite of what I am documenting. After the government enforced a national lockdown, meaning that people were forced to spend more time in their homes, sadly, many have found themselves trapped with their abusers. Since lockdown began there has been a 49% surge in calls to the domestic abuse helplines and a 35% surge to the men's advice line. These are staggering statistics in a lockdown which is designed to keep us safe, but what if the place which is suppose to keep you safest is in fact the most dangerous?
But unfortunately, the reality is that for many women, children and men, their living situations are the complete opposite of what I am documenting. After the government enforced a national lockdown, meaning that people were forced to spend more time in their homes, sadly, many have found themselves trapped with their abusers. Since lockdown began there has been a 49% surge in calls to the domestic abuse helplines and a 35% surge to the men's advice line. These are staggering statistics in a lockdown which is designed to keep us safe, but what if the place which is suppose to keep you safest is in fact the most dangerous?
“It’s hard to remember what it was like before because this is the new normal now, this is just what you do.” Nigel elegantly puts, reflecting on this forced new normal which has been naturally instilled in each and every one of us. Whether it is washing our hands more regular, sub consciously avoiding people like a game of dodgems, general overthinking or simply enjoying the walk that has replaced our usual choice of taxi, train or bus.
.
Chris and Nigel have been together for 9 years and have lived together for 8 and a half of them. Spending copious amounts of time together luckily is, and always has been, their normal. “We always have school holidays off in the summer. It’s like we’ve already had the whole length of the school holidays and still have more time. That extended length of time in each others company I always like anyway” says Chris, and so, quite appropriately they have “just cracked on with it” says Nigel.
.
Feeling nervous about going out initially, as many of us did, Chris and Nigel where guilty of panic buying, only their priory wasn’t loo roll; “We went a bit mad at the beginning, we bought 50 bottles of wine just in case. We’ve got two little ones that are our ‘end of days’ drinks; if it all ran out that would be the last drink we would have like the old couple on the Titanic when the water goes on the bed!”
.
Between Nigel’s loud Zoom calls and Chris’s lost mornings, this couple have found their routines in limbo however, immersing themselves in the garden and sunshine they agree that lockdown has been, for the most part, enjoyable. Each to their own, they have found different ways to cope with their worries and constraints “I’ll find him standing up and sitting down, standing up and sitting down. I’m like ‘WHAT are you doing’ and he’s like ‘I’ve got cabin fever, I need to do something, I need to go somewhere’” jokes Chris. With 9 years of experience, the challenge of lockdown has not yet conquered “I really enjoy Nigel’s company at the best of times but he gives me my space to have a bad day if I want one” continues Chris as Nigel reflects; “We just get on really well don’t we. We’ve just managed with each other really.”
.
Chris and Nigel have been together for 9 years and have lived together for 8 and a half of them. Spending copious amounts of time together luckily is, and always has been, their normal. “We always have school holidays off in the summer. It’s like we’ve already had the whole length of the school holidays and still have more time. That extended length of time in each others company I always like anyway” says Chris, and so, quite appropriately they have “just cracked on with it” says Nigel.
.
Feeling nervous about going out initially, as many of us did, Chris and Nigel where guilty of panic buying, only their priory wasn’t loo roll; “We went a bit mad at the beginning, we bought 50 bottles of wine just in case. We’ve got two little ones that are our ‘end of days’ drinks; if it all ran out that would be the last drink we would have like the old couple on the Titanic when the water goes on the bed!”
.
Between Nigel’s loud Zoom calls and Chris’s lost mornings, this couple have found their routines in limbo however, immersing themselves in the garden and sunshine they agree that lockdown has been, for the most part, enjoyable. Each to their own, they have found different ways to cope with their worries and constraints “I’ll find him standing up and sitting down, standing up and sitting down. I’m like ‘WHAT are you doing’ and he’s like ‘I’ve got cabin fever, I need to do something, I need to go somewhere’” jokes Chris. With 9 years of experience, the challenge of lockdown has not yet conquered “I really enjoy Nigel’s company at the best of times but he gives me my space to have a bad day if I want one” continues Chris as Nigel reflects; “We just get on really well don’t we. We’ve just managed with each other really.”
Lockdown has been one of the most challenging times for relationships, especially for those who’ve spent time away from their partners. For Mo and Izzy, they spent the majority of lockdown apart, having only lived together for the last few weeks, “When we weren’t together we’d FaceTime everyday and without that I would’ve lost it a bit,” explains Mo, “I started to feel the cabin fever setting in so I’d FaceTime Izzy and she got me through it.”
.
For Mo, his focus has been on finishing his final year of university, which has understandably been a stressful time, meanwhile Izzy had to cut her travels with friends short to return home at the safest possible time. With all this stress finally out the way, this couple can relax, “I knew uni was coming to an end so now we can chill out and celebrate,” explains Mo. The pair are catching up on what they’ve missed out on throughout lockdown, including the small things, “Having days where we can do nothing together is really nice,” says Izzy, adding with a laugh, “We’re both actually pretty lazy.”
.
For Mo, his focus has been on finishing his final year of university, which has understandably been a stressful time, meanwhile Izzy had to cut her travels with friends short to return home at the safest possible time. With all this stress finally out the way, this couple can relax, “I knew uni was coming to an end so now we can chill out and celebrate,” explains Mo. The pair are catching up on what they’ve missed out on throughout lockdown, including the small things, “Having days where we can do nothing together is really nice,” says Izzy, adding with a laugh, “We’re both actually pretty lazy.”
A huge thank you to everyone who has supported me and been involved with this project.
I have set up a donation page with all proceeds going to the Newcastle based charity ‘West End Women and Girls’ which are an open access community who’s strong aim to build the power of women and girls. The WEWAG charity have many DV peer educators who are available for 1-1 support with young women aged 11-25 experiencing domestic violence. The charity has had a massive increase in referrals during the lockdown period and are expecting an even bigger surge once lockdown is over.
I am using my photos as a way to raise awareness for those which are affected and to support the amazing West End Women and Girls charity for everything they do for their community. I have chosen this charity because I wanted a local community which are helping women overcome and enforce positive change in women lives.
I am using my photos as a way to raise awareness for those which are affected and to support the amazing West End Women and Girls charity for everything they do for their community. I have chosen this charity because I wanted a local community which are helping women overcome and enforce positive change in women lives.
“West End Women and Girls Centre was established in 1981 and is a youth and community centre for women and girls in Newcastle. We aim to empower women and girls who have been traditionally disfranchised from access to existing services, to effect positive change in their leisure, work and social environments. We do this by providing group work where women and girls can meet, have fun, learn new skills and look at issues relevant to their lives, building confidence in a safe and supportive environment”.