Photography & Digital ArtSEP 23, 2020

Errands: A Shelter-In-Place Portrait Series From My Home To Yours

Zachary Z. Handler and Violeta Draseikaitė

Earlier this year, in response to COVID-19, I began a portrait series entitled, ERRANDS. This project documents our shared shelter-in-place experiences from my home to yours.

Art has always been my way, the only way, I know how to take care of myself and of others. The challenge was how to engage with people during such a scary, unprecedented time. I knew I couldn't leave my home, no one could, really, and so began ERRANDS.

The first ERRANDS shoot was with Khalid on April 18, 2020. Here’s how it works: I call people - strangers or friends - on video (FaceTime, etc.). We have a little wellness check to be sure someone has asked them, “How are you?” today. Then I set-up my phone somewhere in my house - atop laundry, in my freezer, or I'll build a diorama and create a little world - and then I take their portrait.

As of this moment I have photographed over 250 people from across the globe - from Baltimore, Maryland to Los Angeles, California, from Chiang Mai, Thailand to Harare, Zimbabwe, from Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico to Razanac, Croatia - ERRANDS have been magical, educational, sad, profound, and joyous, every single time.

For more information about ERRANDS please see the project in it's entirety - including behind-the-scenes images, making-of shots, and photographs from the other side of the phone by those I'm photographing - at www.instagram.com/zzhandler. Also if you'd like to see a live taping of an ERRANDS shoot with the London Photo Festival and Alvaro (see image below) please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?ab_channel=LondonPhotoFestival&v=3hU_DRpOr80

Thank you so much for taking the time to read about and see this project. As you can probably tell by now, I love to talk, so feel free to contact me at info@zzhandler.com

I wish you all well and please continue to take care of yourselves and others.

More info: Instagram