Home schooling the kids during the Quarantine.

One month into the Covid 19 quarantine here in Calgary Alberta Canada. To be honest I’m not sure how I feel in regards to what’s going on here in Calgary as well as the rest of the world. My other business is shut down, my photography business has all but dried up, and to be honest it feels awkward to even contemplate trying to get business (most of my work being family portraits and promotions during times of self isolation seem wrong). My landscape photography seems like a natural pursuit as being alone in the mountains is the very definition of self isolating, but provincial parks and national parks in Canada are closed. What this means is that every parking pull off, toilet, and gathering place that you would normally leave your car at is currently closed and fenced off. If you choose to park on the side of the road you will be ticked as vehicle access to the parks is not allowed. So what am I doing?

Nikon z6 with 35mm f1.8

The days have me focused on home schooling my boys, schools have been closed for a month now, and I am a father of two boys, one eight and another just turned eleven. I have to admit I’m really enjoying working with the boys on their schooling.

Nikon z6, 35mm f1.8

We are very fortunate to have amazing teachers that are guiding us through the lessons electronically, setting up a curriculum for the boys and I to follow. Once we adjusted to the new routine its been fantastic. I must admit I did have to resort to YouTube a few times to help me clarify some of that grade five math I haven’t seen in decades but overall its been really fun helping out the boys with their schooling.

Nikon Z6, 35mm f1.8

Nikon Z6, 35mm f1.8

We have managed to do a few field trips before the parks were officially closed. We did our best to pick times and venues that are not heavily trafficked in order to keep our self isolation goal intact.

Nikon Z6, 14-30mm f4

One of our outings was primarily a vehicle outing. We drove to some of Calgary’s art features. The boys got to ask questions, I googled answered, and we made it into a learning adventure.

Nikon Z6, 35mm f1.8

Outing number two was purely a nature break. We went out west of Calgary into the foothills to play by the river, enjoy the mountain views and sunshine, and build a snow man (this turned into throwing large snowballs into the river).

Nikon Z6, 35mm f1.8

Nikon Z6, 35mm f1.8

As I mentioned in the start of this blog, I’m not sure how I feel about quarantine life, but I do know that I am really appreciative of my new found time with my boys. I am keeping my fingers crossed for the Provincial and National Parks to be able to open soon though :)

Getting Natural looking smiles.

I’m not a fan of the “Cheese!” face most kids put on when asked to “smile for the camera”. I find I much prefer the results I get if I can engage the child in a conversation. Talk about where you are, let them explore the location, get them invested into a mini adventure, then and only then do you pull out your camera. If they are extremely shy and you have a hard time getting them to play…pretend to sit on a cactus and make them laugh.