The latest work of gifted photographer Emily Schwank is on display in a powerful and timely show called, ”All at Once”, in the Underground gallery of the Harrison Center. The beautiful images in this collection are the product of Emily’s experience of quarantine as she examines the impact of the pandemic on individuals, families, neighbors and the phenomenon of porching.

This series, which she calls her “porch project”, is ongoing and will occupy her activities for as long as the pandemic continues. She says, ”For me it’s about capturing people where they shelter. Where they are safe. Showing the determination and laughter and fear and... all the things. I don’t know how important my work is to the scheme of history, but I feel it is my roll to play. To show the connection and love we have for each other. For our pets. For our spaces. I can’t sit still during this time when I know there are stories to tell.”

And what a storyteller she is. Emily Schwank’s photography goes beyond being artistic or pretty. Emily doesn’t just take pictures of faces and people. She captures the essence of their relationships in a way that can only be described as magical. These are exquisite compositions, but beyond her understanding of the design elements that create a satisfying photo, Emily has a way of making any creature who gets in front of her lens bare their soul for all to see. Each of the pieces does tell a story with remarkable detail and emotional expression. What’s more, Johnny McKee’s meticulous curation makes the show read like a visual novel. The pairings of pictures are thoughtful and intentional, and the juxtaposition of one image beside another only sharpens the details of each.

In the gallery on First Friday someone asked me which was my favorite. This was an impossible task for me, and I could expound on the beauty of so many of these compositions. For example the pictures of people with their pets are extremely special as they demonstrate the importance and intensity of the human-animal relationships with remarkable subtlety. I’ve never seen photos that capture unconditional love and emotional bonding like these do.

Maybe it is because she is the mother of five children herself that Emily captures maternal care so eloquently. I love the picture of Tatjana and X, a mother and son sitting beside each other on a step that seems simple enough, but the way mother has her arm draped over her son’s knees and her hand cupping his ankle is so utterly protective and adoring. It should be called, “Madonna and Child”. It is this kind of extremely personal observation that sets Emily Schwank’s photography apart from someone who is merely taking pictures of people who are posing on their porches.

I’m so happy that this wonderful artist will soon have studio space at the Harrison Center. Whether you visit the gallery with a mask on or check out Emily’s work on the Harrison Center website, where the work is available for purchase, I encourage you to see what she does.

Shop the Show Here