Kids of all ages recognize Lynn Fern. She’s not a teacher or a coach; she’s a parent who shows up at events with her camera. Even if her own children aren’t involved, Mrs. Fern shows up to take pictures.
We’ve been on the sidelines together at several football games. So when I got an email from her, I wasn’t surprised. But when she mentioned “distance photography,” I was puzzled. Was she taking pictures of far-away objects? If she was, why did she think it was newsworthy?
There was only one way to find out. We spoke on the phone on April 17, and I learned that “distance” referred to “social distance.” She was using her zoom lens to avoid getting close enough to subjects to violate the current guidelines. And she was accepting donations to help kids in the school district who qualified for free or reduced-price meals.
“The project morphed. I put it on Facebook,” she told me, “and I got a ton of responses.” Connor Furst was one of the people who contacted her.
He’s a high school junior and a member of the baseball varsity. After working at a restaurant, he was anxious to do something that would help other people. He didn’t care about being paid. “I have food and a roof over my head,” he said to Mrs. Fern.
She sent him a list of questions, including “Tell me one thing about yourself that other people don’t know.” When she read his answer, she knew he was the right person.
The team has raised $3,000 and they have more people to photograph. Mrs. Fern needed to take a week off to catch up. She has been working with individuals and groups. When she’s finished, the subjects show their gratitude by making a free-will donation.
Mrs. Fern has used the money to visit local restaurants and buy gift certificates that are included with the packaged meals kids get from the school district on Mondays and Thursdays.
She believes that families who qualify for these meals probably don’t get to eat out very often. And, the money helps the restaurants that have been hurt by the current restrictions.
If you would like to have a photograph taken at a socially acceptable distance, please contact Mrs. Fern at lynn@lynnfern.com
