Pandemic Documentary | Hathaway Photography

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Olivia Hathaway Photography

Pandemic Photography

I encountered unavoidable travel at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. due to the death of my grandmother. Since there wasn't much else I could do about the what was happening, I started documenting it - all the signs and adaptations that the world created to keep moving despite the virus. I have nearly 1,000 pandemic photos, which are already compiled in two albums on Behance. They are better viewed there from a chronological standpoint (they did not upload in order here), so here are the links to both projects:

Pandemic Photography Part I: https://www.behance.net/gallery/94442295/Documenting-the-COVID-19-Pandemic

Pandemic Photography Part II: https://www.behance.net/gallery/102357609/Documenting-the-COVID-19-Pandemic-Part-II

A white sign with black text that says "GNC / LIVE WELL / YES / WE ARE OPEN." There is an updated return policy on a smaller piece of paper below it. Both are taped to the gas door of the shop.

A sandwich board sign that says "Fresh Fudge" in white text on a brown stripe at the top. It has a large image of different flavors of swirled fudge, and there is a small notice taped to the bottom that says "Due to Covid 19, we have suspended Sampling" in black text on a white background. The sign sits on a sidewalk.

Colorful soap for sale in a shop. This is a close-up on a yellow bar with a brown paper label that says "SOAP FOR / QUARANTINE NOSTALGIA / Smells like puzzles and home-cooked meals / And no annoying drop-ins!" in black text. Soap bars around it are pink and blue.

A sign in a Walmart pharmacy that says "The COVID-19 vaccine is available now at no cost to you" in blue text on a white background with additional details below. The sign is in a silver standing frame against some white shelves.

A white decorative sign with a peak, columns, and a a small shield at the top. it is for St. Paul's Church and features an inset sign behind class that says "Love One Another / GET VACCINATED!" in black text on a white background. It sits on a brick platform built into the hillside. There is snow visible at the bottom of the image.

A bridge spray-painted white and covered in blue and orange words. They are chaotically arranged and say things like "LEARN OUR NAMES" with a bunch of names I don't personally recognize. There is blue text on the end that says "NOT YOUR VIRUS FETISH MODEL MINORITY." It is seen with brick houses in the background and the street plus a crosswalk in the foreground.

A standing sign outside a CVS that says "Schedule your FREE* COVID-19 vaccination" in red text. The star references "No cost through insurance or a federal program for the uninsured." written beneath it in gray text. Below this are two gray boxes that give a QR code and then a phone number that you can text to schedule an appointment. The bottom says "Appointments required. No walk-ins." in black text. The sign is on a sidewalk next to a brick post.

A sign on the door to the Physical Life Sciences Building at UVA that says "STOP / AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY" in a red hexagon with "stop" in red text and the rest in black. Below this it says "FOR COVID-19 SAFETY, THIS BUILDING IS NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC" in black text. The sign is printed on plain white paper and is posted near the silver door handle. A sign above it to the left repeats the authorized personnel-only message and gives instructions for using your card for swipe access.

A sign on plain white paper that says "IMPORTANT NOTICE" where "Important" is in white text on a red rectangle, and "Notice" is in red on a white rectangle. Both rectangles are grouped together by a red rectangular outline. It then says "FACE MASKS ARE RECOMMENDED" in red text between two red lines. The bottom says "PLEASE MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING" in more red text. It is taped to a wooden door.

A sandwich board sign that says "COVID-19 TESTING CLINIC" in white letters on a dark blue background. A piece of paper taped below this has a diagonally pointing downward arrow and says "DOWNSTAIRS (LL)" in black handwriting. There is a reflective white and orange strip at the bottom of the sign. The floor is gray with speckles, and two yellow wet floor cones can be seen behind it.

A sign that says "OLD STAFF / NEW VARIANT / WEAR MASK" Below the first line are four clipart images of old people. Below the second is an image of the covid molecule. Below the third is a picture of a golden retriever wearing a face mask.

A white pyramidal tent set up in front of a storage container-like mobile medical unit. There is a vinyl banner hanging below the tent top that says "FREE COVID-19 TESTING" in white text on a red strip then "RAPID TESTS AND PCRS" in red text with "WALK-INS WELCOME" in black text next to it, both on a white strip. A red bubble at the bottom says "www.covidalbemarle.com" in white text. The four legs of the tent are held down with cinderblocks. The entire set-up is in a parking lot.

A blue sign with a white border that says "Masks Required if not fully vaccinated. Masks are available if you need one." in white text. Between the two sentences is a white ripped-off half sheet of paper that says "Please be patience [sic] Due to short staffing there might be a wait time for dine in. Sorry for inconvenience." in black text. he sign is in a plastic sleeve, and it's taped to the hostess podium at a sushi restaurant.

A white portrait-oriented sign that says "PLEASE WEAR YOUR MASK OR STAY OUTSIDE!" in black text. The sign is taped to a clear plastic barrier at an information desk in a UVA library.

A bridge spray-painted white and covered in blue and orange words. They are chaotically arranged and say things like "LEARN OUR NAMES" with a bunch of names I don't personally recognize. There is blue text on the end that says "NOT YOUR VIRUS FETISH MODEL MINORITY." This is a close-up on that part of the wall. It is seen with brick houses in the background and the street plus a crosswalk in the foreground.

A white portrait-oriented sign that says "PLEASE WEAR YOUR MASK OR STAY OUTSIDE!" in black text. The sign is in a plastic standing holder on a white table in a UVA library.

A blue and purple paper sign with a white border taped up in the corner of a mirror. It says "Masks are appreciated but not required" in white text on a blue background, and the purple section below has a white graphic of two hands holding a mask by the loops.

A white sign with an internal yellow border and a McDonald's "M" at the top left. Within the border is black text that says "Please find a social distancing floor decal to stand on, when available, while waiting to pick up your order. Thanks for visiting today!" with the same text repeated below in Spanish.

A white sign with an internal yellow border and a McDonald's "M" at the top. Within the border is black text that says "Due to government regulation, no one with a fever or symptoms of COVID-19, or known exposure to a case in the last 14 days, is permitted to enter the restaurant. Please stay at home if you're sick. Symptoms include: Cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fever, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, or flu-like symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). For individuals at higher risk for severe illness, consider our drive-thru or curbside pickup on the McDonald's app." The sign is in a McDonald's window.

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