NATASJA DUHAYON

On Friday, March 13, 2020, our lives were turned upside down. Covid19 came into our lives and a lockdown was declared in Belgium. Our freedom of movement was restricted and for a long time we were forced to stay in our own home.

For some it was a time of loneliness, for others a time where it was a hard job to combine homework with children and distance learning,... 

Taking a walk suddenly became a favorite activity, also for me and my family. To make walking a little less boring, the idea grew to make free window portraits of anyone who wanted. This way I got to know my neighbourhood better in combination with my passion, photography.

The idea was first launched by fellow photographer Ilse van Deursen in Maldegem. I asked the city of Leuven for permission. My project was welcomed with open arms. And so the portfolio of window portraits, #samentegencorona, grew, together with many great stories behind the pictures: families who were very happy with the distraction, others who were happy to put on their best clothes, the elderly who enjoyed chatting from afar, street neighbors who were happy to see each other again through the window, people who were happy with something special on a special day like (wedding) anniversaries...  

The window portraits gave me a happy moment of distraction in difficult times. I am therefore grateful to all the people of Leuven I have met.