Showcasing Life in Self-Isolation, Vancouver Photographer Publishes Self-Portrait Photo Book

Me Myself and I: A Whimsical Look at Life in Lockdown

Vancouver concert photographer, Christopher Edmonstone, has launched a 50-page, full-colour photo book depicting life in pandemic driven self-isolation, titled Me Myself and I: A Whimsical Look at Life in Lockdown. With a complete shutdown of much of his usual subject matter, he turned his lens on the one person he was with all the time – himself.

As an opportunity to stay occupied and continue to grow creatively, he has layered his unique visual aesthetic onto his experiences of isolation in a unique and humorous way. The images feature Edmonstone x3 (Me Myself and I) doing everything from making bread and incessantly checking the fridge and cupboards hoping a snack will suddenly appear, to doing battle with monstrously big coronaviruses with a mop and wet wipes.

For over 10 years, Edmonstone has been known to be out and about multiple nights a week capturing local and international artists in all their glory, however COVID-19 replaced his regular concert-going lifestyle with one of quarantines and lockdowns. As he explains, “to say 2020 upended my life is an understatement.” However, one thing that did not change was his passion for creating striking images.

At the height of the pandemic, Edmonstone began documenting a somewhat humorous take at his life in self-isolation. What resulted is a beautiful 50 page, full-colour, hardcover book entitled, Me Myself and I: A Whimsical Look at Life in Lockdown.

“The photographs are presented chronologically and definitely evolve from the everyday routine into the surreal, with a recurring theme of being trapped in isolation. It was a ton of fun to make these photographs even if the circumstances that are bringing them about are grim,” shared Edmonstone.

“Finding an interesting way to document my life in lockdown provided a much needed diversion from the world raging outside my door and it felt good to be productive again. It also gave me the occasion to actually put some pants on, because let’s face it, most people were lounging about in boxers or sweatpants at home, whether they were working or not.”

Vancouver historian, author and showman, Aaron Chapman also shared his thoughts on the book, as well as providing the foreword. ”As you can see through these pages, the images of what I like to call the ‘Edmonstone Triplets’ and their lockdown survival is both surreal and whimsical—but there’s also a truth presented for those of us who lived through the pandemic we will easily identify and see in ourselves.

It’s all here—the endless cleaning, endless laundry, going back to the refrigerator to see what’s there and hasn’t changed. Did any of us expect we’d all have a go at so much baking? So much cooking? So many hours lying awake at night on our smart-phones? So much, just, hanging around at home…?”

Having made the decision to self-publish, Edmonstone’s book is now available for purchase on his Kickstarter page, which boasts a number of levels and ways to support through the campaign. A fantastic coffee table book, years from now when people ask how you survived the pandemic, you can show them this book and think back on all the COVID craziness you endured.

“I decided to self-publish a beautiful hardcover book because when I lose my mind I will have this book to help explain what happened,” teased Edmonstone. “This could likely be the only time that my bare ass will be in print so don’t miss your chance on this one.”

For more information, please visit Christopher Edmonstone’s Kickstarter page.