Free-to-use mobile app Agora launched the #StayHome photo competition as a way to inspire photographers to keep being creative from home and document the unprecedented situation in their home countries. As a result, 15,697 photos have been participating from all corners of the planet. The 50 finalist photos will be submitted to the vote of Agora's global community in order to pick the winning image which will be awarded $1,000.
For the first time in history, the whole world is united against a common enemy: fighting COVID-19 from home. Over the past couple of months, more than 95 countries have imposed quarantine measures to protect their population from the global pandemic. Although the stay-at-home restrictions may have changed our routine by isolating us from our loved ones, the unprecedented global efforts to fight the coronavirus from home have proved themselves successful in slowing the spread.
Agora launched the #StayHome photo competition through its free-to-use mobile app on March 19th, inviting photographers from all over the world to share their unique points of view on the situation and maintain their photography habits during isolation, in order to inspire and encourage others to stay positive and move forward.
In total, 15,697 photos have been submitted to the #StayHome contest. This press release will list the 50 finalist photos as well as their inspiring stories. Now that the finalists have been revealed, the power is now in the global community's hands to cast their votes and decide which photo struck them the most and therefore should win the #StayHome competition.
The #StayHome winning photo will be revealed on Wednesday 27th May and will win the top prize of $1,000. The results will be revealed through the app but also via Agora's Instagram page.
Octavi Royo, Agora's CEO and Co-Founder said: "I’d like to thank the thousands of photographers who have participated in #StayHome to give their point of view on the confinement and to share a message of hope to Humanity through their photographs. While we are all enduring similar circumstances, these photos demonstrate that each home is different and each point of view is unique. Together we are stronger."
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#41 My Son And My Wife
Location: Turin, Italy
"In the last 2 months, these two humans have been the only people I have been spending time with in the real world, and not just on WhatsApp, Zoom, or any other virtual option. They are my family, they love me unconditionally as I love them unconditionally. We will go through this together, I’m sure."
@alesigis (Italy)
32points
#42 Sisters
Location: Bogor West, Java, Indonesia
"Quarantine isn't so bad when you get to spend it with your sisters! It's a great moment to strengthen family bonds and try new routines together."
@krisbianto.andy (Indonesia)
32points
#43 Positive Message
Location: Colorado, United States
"While forced by the Coronavirus pandemic to temporarily close, a concert venue in Colorado sends a positive message to the neighborhood."
@josephrrouse (USA)
31points
#44 Stay Home And Do Your Hobby
Location: Porto, Portugal
"I tried to transmit the idea that everyone should have a hobby because it can be a great way to handle stress. It’s like the first line in your defense against anxiety. It helps you run away from bad feelings."
@mktography (Ukraine)
30points
#45 Descanso Frente A La Ventana
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
"I have 4 children, they've been my favorite models during the lockdown. I wanted to transmit the peace and tranquility in this time for introspection that life has given us, a time to rediscover oneself."
@paulaaranoa (Argentina)
29points
#46 Isolation
Location: Barcelona, Spain
"I wanted to portrait the feeling of isolation in these times of quarantine. I took this photo of my girlfriend as soon as I woke up... I hadn't even brushed my teeth before the photo!"
@leowillgo (Venezuela)
29points
#47 Héroe
Location: Bilbao, Spain
"Here's my son. In this quarantine situation, the real superheroes are our children. The flexibility and capacity for adaptation they have demonstrated over the past couple of months have been really impressive."
@ajuriaguerra (Spain)
28points
#48 Múltiple
Location: Bucaramanga, Colombia
"The national police forces had prepared a show for the quarantined population on the occasion of the Children's Day celebrations the last 25th of April. Families came out to their balconies to celebrate this great moment altogether. "
@inlogin (Colombia)
28points
#49 Stay Home And Play
Location: Thessaloniki, Greece
"Here are so many things you can't do during the pandemic lockdown. You can't ski at any resort, you can't cycle to your local park and you can't play tennis with your friends. But you can set up a fun scene inside and learn how to use Photoshop better, in order to create an interesting composition. This can be equally fun! Take care, it will be over soon."
@andreasbatsilas (Greece)
23points
#50 Stay Home And Shoot
Location: Bergamo, Lombardia, Italy
"Let your creativity guide you to make this quarantine more bearable and, find unique and creative ideas to keep you busy at home while social distancing."
@alexdeangelis_ (Italy)
14points
The global pandemic has prompted many people to embrace creativity at home, leading projects such as Agora's #StayHome photo competition. This mirrors how transformative times can inspire unique expressions, like those in Romanian traditional architecture.
For instance, crafting objects that conjure the warmth and nostalgia of traditional memories offers comfort during challenging times.
