We asked some Washington photographers to send us photos that captured our current state of isolation and social distancing, from their vantage point, and to give us a caption for the photo. We received beautiful photos from all over the state, along with thoughtful and inspiring messages to help us get through this, together.
Tacoma
Just Be
"Naiya, 15, stares out of her bedroom window observing kids riding bikes on the street below. She has been out of school for weeks. For her, social distancing has meant more time to just be and pursue her interests."
Spokane
https://www.jfergusonphotos.net/
"This photo is of Two Rivers where the Spokane River meets the Columbia. It was taken from the Spokane Indian Reservation, the land to the right is the Colville Indian Reservation, and to the left is owned by non-Natives.
This area is not only special to our people—it is considered sacred. Our people are river people and have been here since time immemorial. Our sustenance was based on the massive salmon runs that once used to fill both of these rivers prior to the construction of Grand Coulee Dam.
When Lewis and Clark first came through, they said they were so thick you could walk across the river on the backs of salmon. In today's pandemic, there is a new paradigm we must adapt to, much like the shift when we lost our salmon.
To us, salmon was a way of life. The salmon were not only protein but also the base of our monetary system and were considered sacred in our culture. With all that is happening around us, we must reimagine what it means to be free, to gather and to be ourselves. Isolation lets us look deep into ourselves and sometimes isolation can feel as lonely, empty and desolate as the waters in this photo."
Ellensburg
"Long hikes in any weather, snow or shine, the beauty of nature, the sound of running water, the smell of fresh air all bring a sense of calm in the pandemic storm. Two shadows united on the bridge are at a safe distance from others and symbolize the importance of our family connections as well as the many complexities of social distancing. Go left, go right, go ahead, back up, what is safe, what is overreaction? Our relationship to nature is more important than ever at a time when the environment is getting a well-needed break from mass transportation and industry pollution. Quarantined together, the shadows are on a bridge to the unknown."
Bellingham
http://www.tcalderonphoto.com/
"Faint footsteps echo off brick in Red Square on what would be a busy lunchtime on Tuesday May 2, 2020 at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington."
