Photographer undertakes coronavirus-inspired '~shootings'

WASHINGTON, Ill. (AP) - There was a drive-by shooting earlier this week in Washington.

The perpetrator said the effort was part of her aim to spread positive vibes during the coronavirus pandemic. The subjects appeared overjoyed with the results.

Instead of meeting clients inside her studio, Peoria-based photographer Shaun Mosley is traveling to their homes. Or just outside their homes, to be more accurate.

Mosley has been photographing subjects as they sit or stand on their porches or nearby. Appropriate physical distancing is maintained, in keeping with COVID-19 avoidance.

Free of charge, Mosley produces a digital image the subjects can obtain through social media.

On Instagram, Washington resident Chris Monroe accessed the portrait Mosley took of him and his wife and their two teenage daughters as they stood on their front porch.

'œShe just pulls up in front of your house,'ť said Monroe, a Peoria financial adviser and owner of a medical-equipment firm. 'œShe stood about 20 feet away. That's as close as we got to her. She took several shots of the family and went on her way.'ť

Mosley calls her effort 'œdrive-by shootings.'ť She said a conversation with a friend sparked the idea.

'~Drive-by shootings'

For more information about Peoria photographer Shaun Mosley's porch sessions, call 678-6905.

'œI am the type of person who, when it comes to a devastating time like this, I think, '~What can we do to move forward, and how can we stay positive?''ť said Mosley, who operates Shaun V Photography.

Mosley is positive the photos can provide not only a keepsake but also a chronicle of a moment in American history.

'œIt gives people something that adds on to what's going on right now, but it's a positive thing, uplifthing,'ť she said. 'œYou think about 15 or 20 years from now, their kids will look at that and say, '~Hey, I remember that day.''ť

One of Mosley's more memorable drive-bys thus far was a couple that posed in bathrobes. She's conducted about 10 porch sessions.

Monroe liked Mosley's handiwork so much he's planning to have her shoot some of his employees.

'œShe's doing it as a blessing to other people,'ť Monroe said. 'œThat's something I think is very cool in this quarantine time. I think everyone ought to be looking for ways to do that.'ť

It appears Monroe's reaction isn't unique, as Mosley tells it.

'œI expected them to be kind and nice, but they're really like, '~Thank you so much for taking the time out of your day. God bless you,''ť she said. 'œI've heard everything.

'œOne lady said, '~You shot some really great work. This is a drive-by I wouldn't mind taking part in.''ť

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Source: (Peoria) Journal Star, https://bit.ly/3cIimPV