Jessica Mulroney and other stars take part in the Canada COVID Portrait photography challenge

May 28, 2020

<strong>This story originally appeared in <a href=https://ca.hellomagazine.com/magazine/714>Issue 714</a> of <i>HELLO! Canada</i>.
<p>By Sarah Trumbley, with files from Zach Harper</strong>
<p>Our lives have changed in some stark ways over the last few months, and that's something <strong>George Pimentel</strong> wants to showcase with his new project, Canada Covid Portrait. The Canadian photographer wants to use the initiative to bring the country together before (and after) self-isolation.
<p> "This is about how people are adapting to this pandemic, and it comes from all different areas of it," George told us. "People are photographing front-line workers. People photographing their families. People are photographing themselves trying to visit their parents or visiting the elderly.
<p>"The whole idea is that we're in this together. It doesn't matter if you're a billionaire or you're famous or you're a grandmother – we're all in this together."
<p><strong>Stars across the country have been taking part in the initiative, too! Scroll through this gallery – or click through, if you're on desktop – to see some of their best Canada COVID Portrait challenge photos! </strong>
<p>Canadians are welcome to submit photos to the project until June 26. Canada Covid Portrait is "open to anybody with a cell phone who wants to convey what they're going through in COVID times," says George. You don't need to be a professional photographer to take part – you just need a phone.
<p>Your entry could appear in an exhibition of the most impactful shots submitted as part of this project and could also appear in a future issue of <i>HELLO! Canada</i> magazine.
<p>For more information on how to enter, <strong><a href=https://ca.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/02020052156402/canada-covid-portrait-photography-project-george-pimentel>head here</a></strong>.
<p>Photos: © Emily Hampshire, Instagram/@sangitapatel and Instagram/@angryappa

This story originally appeared in Issue 714 of HELLO! Canada.

By Sarah Trumbley, with files from Zach Harper

Our lives have changed in some stark ways over the last few months, and that's something George Pimentel wants to showcase with his new project, Canada Covid Portrait. The Canadian photographer wants to use the initiative to bring the country together before (and after) self-isolation.

"This is about how people are adapting to this pandemic, and it comes from all different areas of it," George told us. "People are photographing front-line workers. People photographing their families. People are photographing themselves trying to visit their parents or visiting the elderly.

"The whole idea is that we're in this together. It doesn't matter if you're a billionaire or you're famous or you're a grandmother – we're all in this together."

Stars across the country have been taking part in the initiative, too! Scroll through this gallery – or click through, if you're on desktop – to see some of their best Canada COVID Portrait challenge photos!

Canadians are welcome to submit photos to the project until June 26. Canada Covid Portrait is "open to anybody with a cell phone who wants to convey what they're going through in COVID times," says George. You don't need to be a professional photographer to take part – you just need a phone.

Your entry could appear in an exhibition of the most impactful shots submitted as part of this project and could also appear in a future issue of HELLO! Canada magazine.

For more information on how to enter, head here.

Photos: © Emily Hampshire, Instagram/@sangitapatel and Instagram/@angryappa

<h2>Jessica Mulroney</h2>
<p>The stylist and TV personality has been able to look on the bright side of COVID-19 and the changes it has brought to her life.
<p>"Isolation has really slowed our life down," says Jessica, whose quarantine companions are husband <strong><a href=/tags/0/ben-mulroney>Ben Mulroney</a></strong>, co-host of <I>Your Morning</I>, and their children, daughter <strong><a href=/tags/0/ivy-mulroney>Ivy</a></strong> and twins <Strong>Brian</strong> and <strong>John</strong>. "It's given us a minute to pause and truly appreciate our time together – whether it's workouts, family meals or just a movie on the bed."
<p>Photo: © Jessica Mulroney

<h2>Sangita Patel</h2>
<p>HGTV's <I>Home To Win</I> host <strong><a href=/tags/0/sangita-patel>Sangita</a></strong> has been doing her part to help her community during the pandemic. She's been pitching in by supplying hot meals to those who need it most – including "the front-line workers who are working tirelessly to keep us safe."
<p>She tells <I><strong>HELLO!</strong></I>: "It's true when people say we are all in this together, so I wanted to pay it forward and help others on a smaller scale."
<p>Photo: © Instagram/@sangita.patel

<h2>Emily Hampshire</h2>
<p>The <I><a href=/tags/0/schitts-creek><strong>Schitt's Creek</a></I></strong> star has been keeping her fans (and herself!) entertained with a weekly live-streamed talk show, <I>Humpday With Hampshire</I>.
<p>Sharing a behind-the-scenes photo of the show, Emily jokes with <I>HELLO!</I>: "You're getting an exclusive look at my signature putting-on-makeup phase, in which I sit cross-legged on the floor like a toddler."
<p>Photo: © Emily Hampshire

<h2>Tracy Moore</h2>
<p>"Many of us feel adrift right now, so I feel it's important to be part of an initiative that has the potential to tie us all together," says <I>Cityline</I> host Tracy, who shared a photo of herself sporting a locally made mask (above).
<p>"I've found it somewhat grounding amid all this chaos to be able to support smaller local businesses," she tells <I><strong>HELLO!</strong></I>. "If <strong>Kaela Kay</strong> gets a little boost because I posted their beautifully crafted fabric masks, I'll feel I've contributed to the solution in a small way."
<p>Photo: © Instagram/@thetracymoore

<h2>Paul Sun-Hyung Lee</h2>
<p>Celebrating <strong><A href=/tags/0/star-wars><I>Star Wars</I></a></strong> Day in style, <I><a href=/tags/0/kims-convenience><strong>Kim's Convenience</strong></a></I> actor Paul dressed up as a Stormtrooper to cheer on (and cheer up!) hospital workers from his front porch.
<p>"The best part was seeing all the smiles from the people who saw us," he says.
<p>Photo: © Instagram/@angryappa

<h2>Melissa Grelo</h2>
<p><I>The Social</I>'s Melissa has been supporting local businesses during this time of need – including restaurants and designers (left, she and daughter <strong>Marquesa</strong> wear masks by Canadian designer <strong>Cherry Burgundy</strong>). "When fashion and function meet!" she tells <I><strong>HELLO!</strong></I>
<p>Photo: © Instagram/@melissagrelo

<h2>Cheryl Hickey</h2>
<p>"The last time I saw Dad in person I hugged him and said, 'See you soon,' knowing that I wasn't telling the truth," the <I>ET Canada</I> host tells <I><strong>HELLO!</strong></I>, before explaining her own Canada COVID portrait (left). "This was Dad's birthday through a window at his long-term care home. It has been a scary and heartbreaking journey for so many, including our family."
<p>Photo: © Cheryl Hickey

<h2>Yannick and Shantelle Bisson</h2>
<p>"Quarantine chores go by faster when you lend a helping hand!" jokes <strong>Shantelle Bisson</strong>, who shared a fun-loving photo of her pretending to push actor husband <strong><a href=/tags/0/yannick-bisson>Yannick</a></strong>, star of <I>Murdoch Mysteries</I>, into their fireplace. Sometimes laughter really is the best medicine!
<p>Photo: © Instagram/@shantellebisson

In this challenging time, it’s really hard to be separated from family and friends. It’s also a time when everyone needs a beautiful escape. Here at <strong><i>HELLO! Canada</i></strong>, we’re still busy creating the magazine you know and love, to spread positivity and provide some entertainment as a gentle reprieve from all the hard news. And with our <a href=https://secure.hellomagazine.ca/pubs/MH/HLO/PO1047_12_for_12_Signup.jsp?cds_page_id=249283&cds_mag_code=HLO&id=1586362553212&lsid=30991115532073945&vid=1&cds_response_key=V03AARNWI><strong>new special offer for subscribers</a></strong>, there’s never been a better time to have <i>HELLO!</i> delivered directly to your front door. Why not treat yourself, or someone you love, today?