Everyone has faced personal challenges in 2020, and I’m no exception. Being at high risk for Covid-19 forced me to take time off, then to alter my style of photography when I returned. I had to take photos from a farther distance than I normally would – I like to get close to my subjects to offer more intimate images. Include in this professional gallery are some photos I took on my own time because I wanted to continue being creative while being safe. I’m proud of the photographs I took this year and look forward to telling more stories in 2021!
The sunsets while a heavy fog covers the Asbury Park Kickball Club playing in Atlantic Park. The group plays every Tuesday evening starting at around 6 pm and all are welcome to play. Tuesday, August 11, 2020. Asbury Park, NJ USA (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
A man bravely stands in between some exploding fireworks while on Liberty Avenue. Jersey City celebrates Diwali. Saturday, November 14, 2020. Jersey City, NJ USA (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
The chandelier hangs from the ceiling in Prudential Hall. The New Jersey Performing Arts Center has been closed for months due to Covid-19. Part of series on music venues and theaters that were shuttered due to the pandemic. Thursday, August 13, 2020. Newark, NJ USA (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
A balcony at Prudential Hall. The New Jersey Performing Arts Center has been closed for months due to Covid-19. Part of series on music venues and theaters that were shuttered due to the pandemic. Thursday, August 13, 2020. Newark, NJ USA (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
In the 7-8 boys class John Aslanian, of Cranford Judo, uses his legs to get out of a hold by Ethan Wang, of Watanabe Judo, during their match. Wang ended up winning the match. 2020 New Jersey Judo Open Championships held at High Tech High School. Saturday, February 15, 2020. Secaucus, NJ USA (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
James Carey, the Acting Executive Director of the New Jersey Lottery tries to win prizes while in the Ca$hnado globe for 30 seconds. The different colored confetti was worth different prizes and Carey grabbed one worth a $5 scratch-off ticket although he didn’t keep his winnings. 50 thousand dollars worth of prizes were given away to celebrate the NJ Lottery’s 50th Anniversary held at Bridgewater Commons Mall. Thursday, January 9, 2020. (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
A pair of children standing in the VIP area and others listen to President Trump during the rally. President Donald Trump holds a rally at the Wildwood Convention Center. Tuesday, January 28, 2020. (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
Jersey City’s Remi Rosado shows off his rings that he wears over the rubber gloves that protect him from Covid-19. Monday, March 16, 2020. Jersey City, N.J. USA (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
Clouds over the Empire State Building after Tropical Storm Isaias hits New Jersey and New York. Tuesday, August 4, 2020. Maywood, NJ USA (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
Sailor Oakes, 9, of Point Pleasant, caries a tree to the trenches. She had to fight off her big brother Huck for the opportunity to carry it. Saturday morning some three hundred volunteers help to put the 2-3 thousand donated old Christmas trees into trenches along the beach in Island Beach State Park to help build sand dunes. Saturday, January 11, 2020. (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
Handlers wait next to a ring prior to showing their Afghan Hounds. The 2020 Westminster Dog Show held at Pier 94 in Manhattan. Sunday, February 9, 2020. NewYork, NY USA (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
Handlers wait in the ring with some of the 48 Golden Retrievers competing. They were watching the judge looking at other dogs while waiting their turn. Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular breeds in the show. The 2020 Westminster Dog Show held at Pier 94 in Manhattan. Tuesday, February 11, 2020. New York, NY USA (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
Benjamin Osborne, 10, of New Milford, PA relaxes in a cage with Diamond a Tibetan Mastiff. The 2020 Westminster Dog Show held at Pier 94 in Manhattan. Tuesday, February 11, 2020. New York, NY USA (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
An Afghan Hound gets a quick touch-up while getting some air blown to its face. The 2020 Westminster Dog Show held at Pier 94 in Manhattan. Sunday, February 9, 2020. NewYork, NY USA (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
Hundreds of people follow the Parze family as they lead the march to the Freehold Hall of Records where the gathering was taking place. On what would be her 26th birthday, supporters of the family of Stephanie Parze have a candlelight gathering to remember and celebrate her life. She was killed by her ex-boyfriend last year. Wednesday, February 19, 2020. Freehold, NJ USA (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
In Jersey City isolated from everyone else, a couple embraces while having drinks at Healy’s Tavern Saturday night. NJ Gov. Phil Murphy two days later closed down all restaurants, bars, and a number of other businesses to try to stop the pandemic. Saturday, March 14, 2020. Jersey City, N.J. USA (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
A woman prays along the Potomac River as the sun sets Monday evening. Monday, June 29, 2020. Alexandria, VA USA (Aristide Economopoulos) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
Scott Stamper, the owner of The Saint in Asbury Park, is concerned about the future of live music because of the pandemic. The Saint in Asbury Park. Tuesday, August 11, 2020. Asbury Park, NJ USA (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
Teary-eyed, Maria Milagro Urbie, the mother of the deceased Andreas De Jesus, is hugged by a friend. A fatal fire on North 1st St. in Paterson Saturday afternoon. Saturday, February 15, 2020. Paterson, NJ USA (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
Jason Rivera holds his nephew Junior Rivera, 3, while with his brother Jadon, 9, as they walk down JFK Blvd. towards the Journal Square Path Station. The three were visiting their uncle in The Heights neighborhood and were going to catch a train back to Manhattan. Monday, June 22, 2020. Jersey City, NJ USA (Aristide Economopoulos) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
I woman has limited choices while comparison shopping in Teaneck, New Jersey, during the Coronavirus / Covid-19 pandemic. Wednesday, March 18, 2020. Teaneck, N.J. USA (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
A woman walking her dog looks at a pair of children playing tag at Pershing Field Park in the Heights neighborhood of Jersey City, NJ. July 13, 2020. Jersey City, NJ USA (Aristide Economopoulos) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
People walk along the Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza as others wait for a table at a restaurant. How common are people wearing masks in Jersey City, NJ. Saturday, July 18, 2020. Jersey City, NJ USA (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
the historic Landmark Loew’s Jersey Theater has been closed down for months due to Covid-19. Part of series on music venues and theaters that were shuttered due to the pandemic. Wednesday, August 19, 2020. Jersey City, NJ USA (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
The balcony on the second floor looking below at the theater’s lobby. The historic Landmark Loew’s Jersey Theater has been closed down for months due to Covid-19. Part of series on music venues and theaters that were shuttered due to the pandemic. Wednesday, August 19, 2020. Jersey City, NJ USA (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
Paper Mill Playhouse has been closed down for months due to Covid-19. Part of series on music venues and theaters that were shuttered due to the pandemic. Thursday, August 20, 2020. Millburn, NJ USA (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
The ticket counter in the lobby of the playhouse. Paper Mill Playhouse has been closed down for months due to Covid-19. Part of series on music venues and theaters that were shuttered due to the pandemic. Thursday, August 20, 2020. Millburn, NJ USA (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
2019 King Ethan Howe and 2019 Queen Camarra Brittain are presented one more time prior to the 2020 King and Queen being crowned. The 70th Annual Monmouth County Scholarship Cotillion held at Riverside Gardens Park in Red Bank. The Cotillion was postponed for 2 months and held outdoors this year due to the pandemic. Saturday, July 25, 2020. Red Bank, NJ USA (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media)Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
The Bow Bridge in Central Park at Sunrise. Saturday, November 14, 2020. New York, NY USA (Aristide Economopoulos) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
A man dances while on Liberty Avenue as fireworks explode. Jersey City celebrates Diwali. Saturday, November 14, 2020. Jersey City, NJ USA (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
People get to drive up for Covid-19 testing at Essex County Community College in Newark. Wednesday, November 18, 2020. Newark, NJ USA (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
The Manhattan skyline during sunrise viewed from the cliffs in Weehawken, NJ. Saturday, November 21, 2020. New York, NY USA (Aristide Economopoulos)Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
A pair of women run through the corn maze spooked by the evil clown portrayed by actor NIcklos Chamberlain. Chamberlain claims he has “The best job in the world! I get paid to scare people.” People attend the Field of Terror haunted attraction farm. Friday, September 25, 2020. East Windsor, NJ USA (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
Reminders to social distance are placed throughout the stands as the cheerleaders perform while wearing their masks. The season-opening North Brunswick at Sayreville football game. Friday, October 2, 2020. Parlin, NJ USA (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
In the 2nd half Shabazz receiver Eddie Coleman hangs on to the pass for a 27-yard reception while being tackled as he has his helmet ripped off his head with a face-mask penalty from Central’s Jason Nelms. The season opening football game with Central at Shabazz. Saturday, October 3, 2020. Newark, NJ USA (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
The first annual Witches Paddle on the Navesink River in Fair Haven. Saturday, October 24, 2020. Fair Haven, NJ USA (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
Emily Carmona, 15, of Bergenfield, NJ, adjusts her dress as she waits for her father to come to take photographs of her in Liberty State Park in Jersey City. She wasn’t able to have a party to celebrate her Quinceañera this year due to the pandemic but wanted to have some photos taken of her in her dress. Sunday, November 8, 2020. Jersey City, NJ USA (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
A couple is illuminated as they pass a lamppost while biking in Liberty State Park at dusk. Sunday, November 8, 2020. Jersey City, NJ USA (Aristide Economopoulos) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
42nd St. in Manhattan during sunrise. Saturday, November 21, 2020. New York, NY USA (Aristide Economopoulos) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
A group of kids plays tag in the parking lot of Public School 31. Since schools have been closed down for the pandemic, the local community has taken over the parking lot and made it their playground. I’m not working much these days and I’m self-isolating in my apartment so I rarely leave because I’m high risk for Covid 19 since I inhaled a lot of toxic dust on 9/11. Recently with the nice weather, I have nervously been venturing out and I spend the later afternoon in the sun on some steps at a schoolyard a block away from where I live. I keep a distance as I wear an N95 mask while calling friends and family, check social media and email on my phone, and watch some of the local children play. It’s beautiful to see the resilience and joy in the kid’s play even during a pandemic. Friday, May 15, 2020. Jersey City, NJ USA (Aristide Economopoulos) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
Reminders of the Covid-19 pandemic are everywhere. Even a discard mask lies on the floor of the Lincoln Memorial with no one wanting to touch it. Sunday, November 29, 2020. Washington, DC USA (Aristide Economopoulos)Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
My nephew Vasili, 7, looks out of a car window while waiting for my brother to pull away after visiting my parents for Christmas. Friday, December 25, 2020. Bethesda, MD USA (Aristide Economopoulos}Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media
Aristide Economopoulos may be reached at aeconomopoulos@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @AristideEco and on Instagram @aeconomopoulos.