It’s been a year that’s difficult to put into words: with the lives lost, the suffering experienced, and the loneliness that’s ensued, all too many of us have been challenged in ways we’ve never experienced before- and it seems this will continue for months to come. But if you have difficulty describing what you’ve been through, perhaps a picture is worth a thousand words. And there’ve been many photographers who’ve tried to capture just what life has been like during the pandemic of 2020. 

As a start, consider the work of photographer Sarah Blesener. Based in Brooklyn and sharing a house with her 80-year-old landlord Blanche Romey, she’s used her camera to document the challenges faced and contributions made by Romey as she canvasses her neighborhood, checking in on lonely older neighbors and ensuring that her friends stay connected and cared for. Blesener’s haunting and compassionate photos were recently featured in National Geographic as an illustration of how older Americans are fighting loneliness during the pandemic. You can see more of Blesener’s photos here, on her Instagram page.

For a somewhat lighter and more humorous take on quarantine as older adults, you need to see the photos of Neil Kramer. Also a New Yorker, and originally a street photographer, Kramer has used his quarantine time to document daily life in Queens living with his elderly mother and ex-wife. With love, empathy, and a sarcastic wit, Kramer’s photographs show the routines of managing personal grooming, grocery deliveries, toilet paper hoarding, and laundry, all within the confines of a small New York apartment. You can see a Washington Post feature on his photos here and further examples of his pandemic photography on Instagram here.

Of course, the challenges of aging continue beyond the impact of the pandemic, and for photographer Jalal Shamsazaran, his recent work has been to use his camera to document the decline and deterioration of his father due to Alzheimer’s, a disease that’s run rampant through his entire family. With black and white photography that’s both tragic and tender, Shamsazaran shows the difficulties faced by his father and family as they confront the ultimate end of his life. So striking are these photos that Shamsazaran was recently awarded a prize from The Bob and Diane Fund, a philanthropy specifically focused on recognizing visual storytelling that enhances our understanding of Alzheimer’s. See more of these award-winning photos here.

Finally, to end on an uplifting note, take a look at the recent work from the photographer Sujata Setia, whose gorgeous imagery of grandparents and grandchildren was previously featured on agebuzz. This time, her lens has captured the love and intimacy between two ninety-something spouses, together for 72 years and still madly in love. Fortunately, they have each other to weather the pandemic and care for each other. For a glimpse of their love, take out your tissues and click here.