Snapshots of staying home

BEHIND closed doors and empty streets is a community doing their bit to combat coronavirus, and for local photographer Monika Berry, it’s an opportunity to show solidarity in isolation.
“About two weeks ago, before we went into stage three, I decided to find a positive project to focus on about people staying home and doing the right thing for the community,” she said.
“I’d seen similar projects done elsewhere in Europe and the U.S. and thought it would be amazing for Ocean Grove, as we’re a very proud community.
“I started taking photos and putting it out there and the response has been amazing.”

The ‘Stay Home Project’ has reached thousands, with Ms Berry touched by how many families want to be part of it.
“At the start, the project featured people I knew, mother’s group friends and then from there people were reaching out through the Instagram page. I’ve been out most days over the past two weeks,” she said.
“The thing that has surprised me the most is what it means for these people to have their photos taken. They’re excited to have this time in history documented and be a part of that.
“As a photographer, you see playgrounds taped off, and the town shut down, but when I’m driving around to take the photos, you see people and their smiling faces. You see kids playing in their front yards, you see rainbows on the sidewalks and teddy bears in the windows.
“You realise that the community is still there, just in a different way. That’s been the most heartwarming aspect, it looks quiet on the street, but we’re all still here, doing the right thing and staying at home.”
To see the project, head to instagram.com/stay.home.project or search @stay.home.project on Instagram.