The Concept of Expression: Shannon Farrell: Masked Emotions

DISCLAIMER: SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES WERE FOLLOWED CLOSELY AT THE TIME OF THIS PHOTOSHOOT WITH ALL THE SAFETY MEASURES IN PLACE TO PROTECT MYSELF AND SHANNON.

The next subject I’ve chosen to photograph is Shannon Farrell.

It was last October since I first photographed Shannon for the series as I photographed her last year when we both met up at Funhouse after doing a catch-up baring in mind I was working away and wasn’t able to go out for nights out as much during August & September following Pridefest and other celebrations a year ago, and it was only New Year’s Eve 2019/New Year’s Day 2020 when we last met up to celebrate ringing in 2020 before COVID changed everything.

Meeting up with Shannon in July after a little over six months was, like with Matt, a welcome release of emotions because we hadn’t met up for a long while considering all the restrictions surrounding COVID-19 were in place, with social distancing in place to protect everyone, and it was such an emotional moment to see Shannon again after so many months but it was a welcome release to see her again after such a long while.

With this small photo-set, I wanted the photo-set to reflect the pandemic and the fact face masks are now a prominent key factor in protecting us if we’re out in public or in workplaces where social distancing can sometimes be a challenge depending on how big or small workplaces and some spaces can be, especially if they’re not workplaces, but could be shops or even clubs and other venues.

With the pandemic affecting millions of people around the world, it has become more widely recognised for being responsible in the rise of cases surrounding mental health, as a large majority of people who are affected physically with the effects of COVID-19, including the after effects of COVID have experienced the anxiety of the pandemic and it has mentally affected us all.

I wanted this photo-set to reflect that by showing to all of you who are going through the daily anxieties of everyday life with this pandemic that you’ll never be alone, and I want you all to know that despite the fears and the anxieties of what we’re experiencing every day until a vaccine can be found to beat COVID-19, there is hope out there and if we all keep in contact with one another when we’re apart, this will help pave the way for life to become a lot easier, and I hope these photo-sets I produce and have produced inspire you.

If you liked this photo-set, please get in touch as I would love to hear your responses and I am keen to hear how you’re coping in the midst of this pandemic.

Alex Smithson

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