Alexandria photographer Billy Sabatini had no idea how popular his Front Steps Project would be, and over the last several weeks he’s ended up taking photos of more than 150 families and sequestered individuals in front of their homes.
“I thought it’d be kind of a fun, small thing and maybe get a handful of people to participate,” Sabatini told ALXnow. “I started taking photos of friends and neighbors, and after about a week-and-a-half word of mouth spread and it just took off. I’ve now got 100+ families on my list and my plan is to take pictures of them all.”
Sabatini, who has lived in Alexandria for 20 years, will leave the comfort of his wife and two daughters to go take pictures on weekends and after 4 p.m. — just when the light is right for taking pictures. He’ll drive to the street where he’s supposed to take pictures and then text the family. Once in front of the house, he will greet everyone at a distance (while wearing a cloth face mask) and then quickly take their portrait with a Nikon D50 and a 70-200mm telephoto lens.
“Everyone has been tremendously friendly and upbeat,” he said. “It warms your heart to see this in your community, and it’s been rewarding because I get to meet all these new people that I’d never probably would have met otherwise.”
One woman he photographed was so happy to interact with another human being after being isolated that she walked out of her house to meet him and extended her hand for a handshake. She then realized what she was doing and told him that she was simply excited to interact with another person, he said.
Incidentally, at 6 p.m. today, the Del Ray community will have a front porch party for its first monthly Thursday celebration.
“I found that people really are appreciative of this effort, because I think they think it really brings a sense of community,” Sabatini said. “It really kind of captures the time when everyone is together, and it’s not something we’ll hopefully ever experience again. It’s a really unique time. And for some people, maybe, it’s been really difficult. And maybe for some it’s been really good to have all of their family together at this moment in time.”
Recent Stories
Tsehayinesh Menberu says that she and her West End neighbors often choose between buying groceries and paying their rent. Menberu has lived at the Southern Towers complex in the West…
Updated at 3:00 p.m. — The National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Alexandria and nearby localities A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has just been issued, as some strong…
No arrests were made after a fight resulted in a single shot being fired from a gun in the Lincolnia area of Alexandria on Saturday afternoon, according to the Alexandria…
Alexandria mayoral candidate Alyia Gaskins won the Alexandria Democratic Committee’s Straw Poll on Monday night. Gasksins defeated Vice Mayor Amy Jackson 117 votes to 23 votes, or 81% to Jackson’s…
There’s a reason Well-Paid Maids has hundreds of positive reviews from happy clients in the D.C. area.
The home cleaning company pays cleaners — who are W-2 employees — a living wage starting at $24 an hour. Plus, cleaners are offered benefits, including insurance, 24 paid days off a year, 100% employer-paid commuting costs and more.
Lexi Grant, an operations manager at Well-Paid Maids, said it best: “People deserve their work to be respected and recognized. When that happens, you love what you do, and you create the best results.”
Are you feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges? Do stress and anxiety seem to dominate your thoughts? At Peaceful Mind Solutions, we understand that navigating mental health can be daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Our team of compassionate therapists is here to guide you on your journey toward inner peace and emotional well-being. With a client-centered approach, we tailor our therapy sessions to meet your unique needs and goals. Whether you’re struggling with depression, coping with trauma, or simply seeking personal growth, we provide a safe and supportive space for healing and growth.
Embark on a path of self-discovery with our comprehensive range of therapy services, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness practices, and holistic approaches. Our experienced therapists are dedicated to helping you cultivate resilience, develop coping skills, and foster a greater sense of self-awareness.
Del Ray Kitchen Confidential Design Tour
Please join us for Del Ray Kitchen Confidential – a walking tour of recently renovated kitchens in Del Ray with the experts who make the magic happen! FA Design Build owner Rob Menefee and Design Consultant Melissa Fielding walk us
Celtic Corridor in Concert at the Lyceum
Billy McComiskey, on button accordion, National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Award winner, All-Ireland Award winner, who has played with the Irish groups The Irish Tradition, Trian, and Green Fields of America. Billy’s playing is highly regarded as are his
