On Monday 23rd March 2020, with rumours of an imminent ‘lockdown’ of our society I looked to ways that I could use my camera in these strange times.

Although everyone is feeling alone at this time of social distancing, there’s maybe more that we all have in common than ever before.

As a way of trying to capture this strange time I’m attempting to capture Peterston households at their doors or on doorsteps.

Obviously I observing social distancing and using a 200mm lens. The aim is to highlight how we’re all together in this and possibly get some stories shared and maintain the strong sense of community that this wonderful village has.

I set myself some rules. I wouldn’t ring any doorbells or come closer than 2-3 metres from anyone. I put the feelers out to just 5 people I already knew well in the village and asked the to contact others via phone, text or social media and in the end I had 27 households take part in one day. In some ways you could say that this spread virally.

Owen is a self employed photographer and Hannah works as an e-learning specialist in education. So while Owen’s business is currently extremely quiet, Hannah’s role has become increasingly important in her college and she’s working remotely.

Home schooling of the two boys started last week and every evening the family is finding something to celebrate. The Christmas tree is up in the hallway.

Enjoying family time with barbecues planned the Youngs are making the most of their time together. They’ve recently bought a 3D printer and are going to use the time to design and make a few things.

Although James is self-employed Joanna is working remotely as university lecturing is carrying on as normal. The boys designed their own home schooling time table with PE happening every day.

Making the most of their sunny garden but also living so close to so many countryside walks they’re not going to struggle isolating.

Sian is a teacher at a local secondary school so has become a key worker to support the needs of the school at this time. There’s plans for the garden during the coming weeks.

Spending the days at home with the dog is what Maz is used to but is missing being able to get out and see friends and the people she knows who live around her.

Home schooling and video calling at the Moreno-Grays’ and they’ve already started baking and cookery classes. Having the dogs means that they usually go for isolated daily walks and are looking forward to more time together as a family.

Tonia has horses at a stable near the village and is concerned about movement and being able to see them and look after them in the coming weeks. Tonia has also been doing deliveries for the local pub’s take away service and looking for ways to help out her neighbours in the coming weeks.

Retired garden centre owners who are still growing and selling plants from their front drive. Being born in the village means that they know nearly everyone in the neighbourhood and are able to look out for many people.

Although they have family in local villages it’s been a while since they saw their grandkids and it’s likely to be a number of weeks before they see them again. Regulars on the school run and offering babysitting services means they’re having to find new things to keep them busy and fill their time.

Barbara and John have already been self isolating for a number of weeks and have been enjoying their beautiful garden and home. John was a frequent walker and is frustrated he can’t get out and about like he used to, but will hopefully be well enough to enjoy his country walks once the lockdown has passed.

Sara is a school teacher although has been isolating for over a week due to living with her mother. They’re tucked away but in the centre of the village and missing seeing people already. There’s a huge list of gardening projects and things to pressure wash which should keep them both busy for a few weeks.

Already working through their jobs list, Pete was scraping the front path and Helen has been enjoying virtual knit meets with her local friends, although I heard that very little knitting was taking place.

Enjoying time together in their home and garden with access to a field at the rear means they can get out with their dog Billie for frequent walks and exercise. Surrounded by neighbours who work in the NHS they’re acutely aware of the pressures on the system and have close contact with many of the heroes that are working long hours at local hospitals.

Missing their daily visits to the pub and their grandchildren, Dave and Maggs are in regular contact with their neighbours and proud of how everyone is looking out for each other.

“Gardening and sewing, what we’d be doing anyway” was their response when I asked what they had planned for the coming weeks to keep them busy.

Jean was pleased that her lawn mower has started and she can keep herself busy in the garden. Surrounded by neighbours that are lifelong friends means that she’s feeling less lonely and disconnected than most. 

Lisa is able to remote work and they’re happy knowing that they’ve got all the provisions they’ll need (mainly wine I believe) to keep them going through the coming weeks.

Pat and Pickle are well known villagers as part of the community council and amongst the dog walkers. Pat’s in touch with most of her neighbours and part of a group to keep in contact with each other.

Self-isolating together and just returned from an emergency shopping trip for ice-cream. They’re already missing their friends in the village. Jo and Kate were about to launch their new business, a childcare centre in Dinas Powys, but all that’s been put on hold.

Happy to know he can focus his time on his garden and frequent dog walks Dylan is resigned to not going very far in the coming weeks.

A local vet Vicky is on call and trying to work from home. Having recently moved house they’re using the time to get themselves straight and busy moving stones around in their garden and driveway.

Today was the first day they’ve had a weekday breakfast together in weeks and they seemed all too happy to be self-isolating together in the coming weeks. They were upbeat and had positive plans but hoped that social media and technology was going to stop them all missing their friends and family too much.

Having already been self-isolating for nearly two weeks Trish and Mike are relying on deliveries from family and contact through technology to keep them going. They’re both glad the weather has improved so at least they can now get outside in the garden.

A local estate agent who is avoiding contact with the others in the house he shares. Although work has been slow he’s still managed to sell a house today.

Sarah is a school teacher in Newport and will remain working as a keyworker support at the school. Scott is responsible for looking after livestock on a nearby farm so will be travelling each day although confident that he’ll be more self isolated than most.

With a stocked larder and wine cupboard Roger and Pauline seem all too happy to be at home with each other. They’re keeping an eye out for their neighbours and keeping in contact with local family and their grandkids through technology and daily phone calls.

Colour versions of these photos will appear on social media. Prints are available upon request to owen@portraitsofhumans.co.uk or by calling 07990828196