Rose Curtis, an aspiring Laramie photographer, is creating a photo project in which she photographs Laramie citizens on their porches calling the project Porch Portraits. Residing in Laramie since roughly 2009, Curtis is a University of Wyoming alumni and currently works as a business manager/service writer at Good Vibes Garage.
Photograph used with permission of Rose Curtis
With the purpose to visually capture people’s lives during the Covid-19 Pandemic, these types of photo series’ have become popular across the nation. Curtis explains, “I thought it would be cool to feature people of Laramie in the habitats that they’ve been spending probably more time than they want to in. I just find people and places to be fascinating.”
Curtis is looking to break outside of her own demographic by photographing people of all ages, genders, and colors. “I want to get good representation of the people living here.” Her Porch Portrait Series, or People of Laramie as it is often referred to, is being published sporadically as the photos are taken, so to keep up with the project, visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/peopleoflarame or the Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/peopleoflaramie/.
Striving to collect photos of people from across Laramie, Curtis encourages citizens to reach out about participating in the project. If you, a family member, or a friend are interested in having your portrait taken for free and to be featured in the project, contact Rose Curtis at rose.wyo10@gmail.com or message through the social media pages.
Portraits will be taken outside of the participant’s houses with proper face covering and social distancing practiced by the photographer. Curtis invites whole families to participate as well as individuals, and she would love to photograph people of Laramie with their loved ones and even pets.
Along with the portraits, a question will be asked by the photographer such as ‘how has quarantine changed your life?’ and ‘what has remained a constant?’ Curtis says, “I just think that’s really interesting to see… how people have felt like they have changed, but also what they have been able to hold onto.”
The purpose of the project is to simply “let each other see one another, to see the overlaps of the similarities but also the differences,” Curtis states. “Hopefully we can remember that as a community we are still in this together.”
Curtis explains that this Porch Portrait project provides an opportunity for connection during a time when many people feel disconnected from the Laramie community because of the Covid-19 Pandemic. “If you can’t have in person connection with someone, seeing their face and seeing what they have to say about the changes and constants in their lives is maybe the next best thing.”
Contact Rose Curtis at rose.wyo10@gmail.com or message through the social media pages if you are interested in having your portrait taken for free and to be featured in her project.