Well…2020 was quite a year. Little did we know in January that by mid-March we would be isolated from people we love and that we’d all be doing work and school from home, and learning not to feel weird wearing a mask to Target. At the beginning of 2020, professionally, I was looking forward to expanding my corporate clients/headshot business and arranged for a studio sublet one day a week. I used that studio exactly… once. Personally, I was planning my dream trip to Ireland — showing my family where my ancestors came from.
On March 14th, I photographed my cousin’s proposal to her fiancé — I remember this for the joyful occasion it was, and also as the last time I hugged someone outside of my immediate family. The next day the Governor ordered all schools in the state to move to remote learning. and that was the beginning.
Unable to work much of the Spring due to the stay at home order, I spent my time cocooning with my family and organizing almost every square inch of my house. But after a long Winter and Spring, where we all learned to adjust to mask wearing and keeping our distance, I was grateful to start photographing families again. I had worried all Spring that people would be hesitant to book sessions in 2020, either due to the pandemic itself or the financial crisis that resulted from it. But the 2nd half of 2020 turned out to be one of the busiest six month periods since I started my business. And for that I am so grateful.
The images that follow are some of my favorites from 2020 pulled from the sessions I have permission to share publicly (not every client allows me to do so!). Above all, these images show that despite the challenges of the past year, love, family, and joy are still part of our world and I can’t wait to document that for my clients.
The Class of 2020 and 2021 missed out on so much, but I have to say, I rarely, if ever, heard complaints from them. Just a willingness to go with the flow, and excitement for the future. I photographed so many wonderful Seniors this year.
While 2021 has already had its bumps, things will absolutely get better. In the meantime, I’m lucky to have a job where I’m constantly reminded of all the goodness in life and I thank my clients for sticking with me through this difficult year. I can’t wait to see you again soon.
Cristen Farrell is a Boston area photographer, specializing in families, newborns, children, and life events. Her goal is to capture you and your family in a natural and authentic style, and for you to have fun along the way. She is based out of Andover, MA just North of the city, but travels anywhere within an hour’s drive, including Metro West, Southern New Hampshire, and York Maine. If you need a Boston family photographer, Cristen can be reached by clicking on this contact form. Don’t forget to follow Cristen Farrell Photography on Instagram, too.
