A comic series of shots from a photographer who is quarantining with his ex-wife and mom

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Here's a truly bizarre coincidence: the photographer was quarantined with his mother and ex-wife. Three of us in a kopeck piece. This is not the beginning of a comedy series at all, but a real story. However, he would not have been a photographer if he had not tried to take advantage of this situation. An unusual experience inspired him to create a comic series of pictures of the chaotic life of three people. Yes, yes, he began to arrange comic photo shoots in the apartment!

- When the pandemic began, my mother was supposed to live in Boca Raton, Florida, but there were problems with her rented apartment, and she decided to return to New York for the winter. At the same time, in the Los Angeles home of my ex-wife Sophia, there was a serious problem with the plumbing, and she also had to move out, - explains photographer Neil Kramer. “We let Sophia live in our apartment in Queens, New York, for a few weeks until she resolves the problems with the house. She deposited her belongings and arrived in New York. We never expected that a pandemic would hit the world and that we would still be together ten months from now.

As a result, Kramer's two-room apartment turned into a photography studio, and his mother and ex-wife had to become models.

Neil explains that before quarantine he had a good relationship with both his mother and ex-wife, but no one wants to be with the same people every day, 24 hours a day, especially in such a tight space.

- Despite the fact that Sofia and I divorced several years ago and remained friends, during our joint quarantine there were several cases when we started the same arguments as during marriage. Fortunately, when I remembered that we were divorced, it became easier and easier for me to defuse the situation, - explains Neil Kramer.

The photographer said that his mother and ex-wife always treated each other well and they never had the usual mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship. However, while living together in the same apartment, the conflict gradually began to grow - especially in the kitchen.

- Each of them considered himself an alpha woman. For example, there was a lot of discussion about what type of grocery to buy: Mother insisted on taking the "one-stop shop brand," while Sofia insisted on fancy organic products. And wherever quarrels arose, I inevitably found myself in the center of events. Neal says, “And yes, I've learned a lot about women over the past year!

Interestingly, after living together for a long period of self-isolation, this strange trio did not break up. Rather, Neil, his mother and ex-wife became closer to each other.

- We understand each other not only as a son, mother, husband and (albeit a former) wife. Since there was little space for solitude, we were forced to communicate with each other in an adult way. - concluded Kramer, - And since my mother is already over eighty, our main task is to make sure that she did not catch Covid.

Since Neil was involved in reportage street photography before the pandemic, while in quarantine with his mom and his ex, his original plan was to document the whole absurdity.

- At first I wanted to film our experience in a journalistic way, but we were so busy solving everyday issues that I rejected this idea. There was no time for art when life was happening in real time. Therefore, I decided that we would take our daily impressions and recreate them the next day in staged photography, - Kramer shares his professional secret, - I insisted that we honestly reflect real events, so not all of our photographs are humorous. They also reflect sadness, loneliness, and anxiety.

The photographer explains that if the three of them tried to be funny every day, they would fizzle out in a month. As a result, he, his mother, and his ex-wife were able to use photography as a coping mechanism for stress.

Many friends and Internet users ask the photographer if he and Sophia will be together again after this experience, but the man does not think that this year, lived together in quarantine, was especially romantic:

- It was real stress. We were a family just trying to survive. After that, we both will probably need therapy,”he says.

During the pandemic, Nile and Sophia, of course, became closer and even sometimes went outside together, but often such trips ended in curious situations and, of course, in funny photo shoots. The fact is that Sofia turned out to be an active fighter against anti-masks, and she was very outraged that while she scolded passers-by for not observing the rules, Neal kept silent on the sidelines.

One day, while making her way with her companion through the trees in the park, Sofia lifted the skirt of her dress, trying not to stain it, but accidentally splashed mud on her underwear. The ex-husband sat down and began to help her cleanse his dirt, and then they saw a fine-looking couple passing by them. In surprise, Neal lowered Sophia's skirt, hiding under her. And then he heard the disgruntled muttering of a passer-by: "Perverts."

Then Neal stuck his head out from under the dress, and, remembering his promise to Sofia to be active, shouted to the couple:

- Yes! But at least we are wearing masks!

There are big political changes in America now, but the pandemic has not receded.

- Is the world ready to open up again? People took to the streets to protest for racial justice.

Friends began to ride the subway again. But here at home we are still concerned about Covid-19. Especially my mother, who is at risk. Should she remain isolated from her friends and social activities until the vaccine is available? - the photographer argues.

Neil revealed that his mother looked depressed for several days, so Sophia asked her what she would like to do when New York “reopens”.

“I would like to have breakfast at the local Blue Bay diner,” the pensioner replied.

“I have an idea for this weekend…” Sofia said, looking through the window at their balcony…

When photography is good and uplifting, it is priceless. For example, one person arranged a photo session for the spouses who have been together for 72 years, to show what true love looks like.