How photographers are pivoting their craft, summer camping, documenting our history

These pandemic times are historic. Many are turning to social media to share their own photos—cooking a new dish, learning a new hobby, de-cluttering closets and bedrooms. Hiring professional photographers now is less common due to social distancing and the cancellation of large events. Photographers are adapting their businesses to the circumstances.

Filipino-American Franklin Lopez is editing photos in post-production to give the impression of group shots. “I am creating composite group shots for school teams. I shoot the athletes individually against a green screen, then combine them in post processing to create a team photo,” said Lopez, who shared his frustration about not being able to operate during lockdown. “I’ve done executive head shots by bringing the studio to the customer’s location.

Photo by Eggsposure

Denver-based photojournalist Ginny Tory combines her art and storytelling in sports and science. The stay-at-home period has given her time to work on developing photo essay ideas. She admitted it was difficult “seeing all of these hard-hitting, breaking news, but not being able to shoot them,” Tory said. “All I wanted to do was run out there with my camera and capture these world changing events, but instead I was trapped inside.”

The irony is with stay-at-home orders, people are consuming news more than ever. “[Newspapers] and magazines are losing money due to ad revenue drying up,” she said. “This has caused many already hard-hit groups to cut down on their staff even further. So, while the world has a million stories that should be told, there’s not a lot of journalists or photojournalists out there.”

“Wedding inquiries have pretty much dropped off a cliff during prime wedding booking season, said James Tsui, owner of Eggsposure, based in Denver and Palo Alto. His 2020 scheduled weddings are all in the process of being rescheduled as he indicated no one wants to get married with ten guests or less.

Tsui believes shooting engagement and portrait sessions at a distance is doable. “It’s pretty easy to be more than six feet away as I do a lot of environmental portraits, and I can use a telephoto lens for closeups,” he said. “In fact, I’m usually shooting from at least 15-20 feet away, so it’s pretty easy to distance.”

Lopez practices social distancing with his clients by conducting consultations and photo orders through the phone, Zoom, FaceTime and providing online proof galleries.

Photo by Ginny Tory

shared he is unable to continue his photography because travel restrictions have limited his plans. He has offered his photography services to his Nepalese community in Denver, but has no studio or full-time job related to his skill.

“I like storytelling types of photos,” said Shrestha, who moved to Colorado four years ago. “We can collect so many stories through photography.”

Through his photographic work in Nepal, he has donated to students in remote areas of Nepal and a school affected by the 2015 earthquake.

Ginny Tory | Ginny Tory Photography 856.313.9751 | ginnytory@gmail.com

Bharat Shrestha 720.988.3905 Ichironirabh57@gmail.com

James Tsui | Eggsposure Photography 650.575.3155 | eggsposure@kryx.net

Frank Lopez | Franklin Lopez Photography 760.672.9988 info@franklinlopezphotography.com

Fifty years from now, 2020 will stand as the year of COVID-19, social distancing and home quarantines.

Local museums are documenting COVID-19 stories by asking community members to participate through various channels. Stories being shared on social media are temporary—photos of daily activities such as cooking and baking on Instagram or ranting about the latest mandates on Twitter.

History Colorado and Aurora History Museum are providing an opportunity to document this historical moment in time by recording your story. What started out as a teacher’s resource has evolved into a time capsule.

“What’s the need during COVID times?” asks Marissa Volpe, Director of Community Engagement at History Colorado.

History Colorado provided journal templates to document Coloradans’ everyday lives, which could include working as a frontline worker in a grocery store or healthcare setting, frustrations of dealing with technology and video conferencing, or struggles with running out of toilet paper or hand sanitizer.

“Our understanding of our shared history has often been shaped by those who had access to a microphone or could get their views published,” says Jason Hanson, Chief Creative Officer at History Colorado.

“Today we have the tools to ensure that many other voices shape the story of how we put this pandemic into the past. The result will be a much more informed understanding of what life was like for all of us, and why we made the decisions we did.”

Last month, History Colorado offered a webinar on the 1918 Pandemic. The photographs and newspaper archives were eerily familiar as images showed nurses wearing masks. To participate, visit their website at historycolorado.org/covid-19.

As an oral history project, the Aurora History Museum guides the user through a list of questions. The options of writing it out, videotaping or tape recording your voice are offered to anyone interested in sharing their emotions, feelings or struggles during COVID-19.

Sales and rentals of recreational vehicles, also known as RVs, are surging this month as Colorado families and avid outdoor enthusiasts are planning mountain adventures during coronavirus times.

Even before Memorial Day weekend, which is considered the unofficial start of camping season, travel planners began buying and renting these motorhomes.

Since April this year, an enormous swell of 650 percent jumped in sales, according to Austin-based RVshare.

“We expect RVs to continue to gain traction as a preferred method of travel while consumers are seeking flexible options and a unique way to experience the outdoors,” said Jon Gray, CEO of RVshare.

Travel consultants credit the ongoing pandemic, long periods of isolation and social distancing for making travelers rethink their summer plans. It’s probably the preferred option with limited air travel, closed hotels and shut-down resorts.

Denver resident Liting Li just purchased her RV and started camping during Memorial Day weekend with her family.

“Since most of the campgrounds are reserved, we headed to Wellington Lake,” she said. “No one will be around us.”

Liting along with four boys and dog joined another family of four to practice fish and release, shooting, and climbing the mountains nearby.

Visit their website at auroragov.org/

Check out these projects to take part in history and share your stories. It’s a great way to preserve your experience and a chance to give a voice about this global crisis to your descendants.

If you participate, let Asian Avenue Magazine know so we can also share your stories. E-mail us at asianavemag@gmail.com.

fb.com/groups/outdoorasiancolorado koa.com/states-provinces/colorado www.colorado.com/articles/ quick-guide-colorado-national-parks

Saddened to see so many homeless people during these pandemic times, husband-and-wife team Lorry and Vic Martinez has been feeding the homeless through their business called Filipino Food Truck in Colorado Springs.

Every other Saturday, the duo cooks up to 150 platters for those lining up at the Springs Rescue Mission at 5 West Las Vegas Street in Colorado Springs.

For the last three years, the pair has operated the food truck selling Filipino egg rolls, BBQ and pork belly combos, and chicken noodles also known as pancit, just to name a few menu items.

They are still looking for food donations of bread, eggs and meat to continue the service. A tip jar is also placed on the truck for those who are able to donate monetarily to support homeless individuals.

With the limited staff of two, they can sell 200 combo platters during a workday between 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information about the food truck or to donate to their efforts, visit

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143 Union Blvd. Suite #120 Lakewood, CO 80228 Direct: 303-985-4555

Cell: 303-669-5255