Pandemic Portraits
During Covid, I started a crowdsource portrait project comparing real life photos of players from the popular Animal Crossing game with that of their avatars. As a portrait photographer who can’t work during this Circuit Breaker (CB) period, I was feeling quite bummed. I miss the human interactions with my subjects while shooting.
My initial idea was to use Facetime/Zoom to direct my participants and take a screenshot portrait but due to the distance the phone/laptop has to be placed from the subject to get a full body shot, it was quite impossible to direct them online. Eventually I settled on giving them specific instructions on how to take the photos.
I also got them to reflect openly about why they chose their attires and share their thoughts on the game. The result was interesting…some saw the game as a way to fulfil childhood dreams. Some used it to get creative with fashion styles and some used it as a means to cope with the CB.
Lesley (@yelselogy)
“I was a shy child growing up. This influenced the way I dress as an adult. I don’t like looking approachable or soft in public, and I think of my clothes as armour. The unapproachable vibe I’ve cultivated through my fashion choices has helped to deter potential bullies, pushy insurance agents and creepy men. My fashion influences are also people who look unapproachable or aloof such as Gigi Goode, Violet Chachki, Alex Turner and young Axl Rose.
But in AC, since it’s mostly just my friends and I, I feel comfortable showing my soft and fun side. Everything I wear in the game allows my character to be colourful and cute. My character can usually be found running around in a Patagonia t-shirt (the first item I designed for myself in the game), high socks, sneakers and shorts, none of which I'd wear in real life.”
Jasmine
“When I was younger, I aspired to be an Egyptologist. Ever since I saw my first mummy, I was determined to read whatever I could get my hands on about Ancient Egyptian. It was a crazy dream but I never gave it up entirely. During the circuit breaker, I signed up for an online course about the Giza pyramids (thanks, Harvard) and I’m trying to learn hieroglyphs now. While playing Pocket Camp, I got super excited when I got the 'Pharoah's Outfit' and the 'King Tut Mask' from fortune cookies. I figured if I can't be an Egyptologist, I can still fulfill my dreams by walking around camp pretending to be a mummy. On any other day, I’ll just wear Skorts and t-shirts. It’s my go-to outfit for work or just hanging out. It’s comfy, it’s black and I love Iron Maiden. I can’t exactly lug around a 24-carat gold mask on my head. Instead, I sometimes wear scarab earrings or an Ankh necklace.”
Valerie
“I have always wanted to give the Japanese Lolita-style outfit a try since young; To look pretty, gentle and sweet in very pastel colour design dresses.
Unfortunately, I got a lot of scars and injuries during my primary school days from various sports/activities. I was into Track and Field, Dance, Roller Blading and Martial Arts. One of them is a keloid scar on my knee and shoulder from doing stunts.
Nowadays, I usually wear casual or sporty outfits in dark colour to seek comfort over style.”
Clara
“I work as a Dietician and this is what I wear to work. It makes me feel calm, comfortable and confident. When I put on my work outfit, I also feel like I’m putting on my day's responsibilities to care and support my patients. I like majority of my work clothes in blue because the cool tone suits my skin tone. It's neutral, doesn't get dirty as easily as white, and is a great colour choice to bring out smartness and formality.
Little wonder why I chose blue for my avatar's eyes and also a striped, aqua outfit.”
Sabrina
“The only things my AC character and I have in common are our love for wearing red and fish. That's where the similarities end - I hate bugs, I hate being outdoors and let's hope I never end up on a deserted island!”
Michiko
“Since it’s the CB, I’m wearing PJs at home everyday. So I also wear PJs in game. It’s very Singaporean/chill. The candy skull mask is random since I can choose whatever I want to wear in the virtual world. Imagine if I dress like this in real life. People might think it’s Halloween or I’m crazy. There’s a tub in the background because my dream is to have a tub in my house next time.”
Kah Han
“I’ve always liked playing games, in particular those that has an element of role play and immersion to it (think Red Dead Redemption or Skyrim). So when I created my character in Animal Crossing, I made sure it resembled myself as much as possible. The outfit wise was part-experimentation, part-reflection of my persona - I unlocked the easter bunny hat and watermelon tee a while back and thought it would be a good time to don them but I made sure my character looked as casual and easygoing as possible because that's just who I am. It also explains the lack of shoes in-game.”
Rayen
“AC is really one of the virtual worlds I get to express my childlike tendencies without judgment. Here no one expects you to act like an adult and have your life together. You set your own goals, and take charge of achieving it without having external factors and situations weighing you down. I find this freedom very liberating.”
Lilly
“I’m an average girl who is slightly too obsessed with Japanese culture. It all started when I was 12. I was flipping through TV channels when an anime called Inuyasha caught my eye. It made me wonder how life is like in Japan.
3 years ago. I finally set foot on the Land of the Rising Sun. It was amazing! Ever since, I’ve been visiting Japan almost ever year to explore the wonders, one prefecture at a time.”
Logan
“In real life, I usually dress for comfort. I am in this Uniqlo Mt Fuji t-shirt as I love Japan and subtle graphic tees. My girlfriend makes fun of my thick slippers and calls them “uncle slippers”. However, I love how comfortable it is. The cushioning is crazy, which makes me feel like I'm walking on clouds.
As you can see, I carry my love for Japan and thick slippers across to AC. My character is dressed in a Hakama and thick slippers. The Hakama is also part of my “Traditional Costume Bucket List”, an idea I have which involves donning the traditional costumes of every country I visit.”
Ann
“My sense of fashion is pretty versatile though I would mostly describe it as Chic Street. I’m in sneakers most of the times, even when I wear dresses. Like many girls, I get my fashion inspiration from Instagram and Pinterest. My outfit on AC is just one of the many cute looks I’m cladded in but I change it up everyday – from a kimono, to pink ranger, to sashimi costume and to a luxurious head to toe outfit!”
Dawn
“It seems like a cop-out but to be honest, whatever I wear in AC is what I would wear in real life!!! Except got the beanie, it’s too hot and I would feel like an idiot. I wish I could dye my hair bright blue though. I used to have pink and purple hair when I was younger but after I started working, I dyed it back to black. Maybe with the lockdown, I’ll dye the tips. I don’t think I could do a full head of blue.”
Rachel
“I usually dress relatively conservatively in real life. I don't normally wear sexy stuff like tight clothing, spaghetti strap or tube top. My favourite outfit is a cotton top with denim shorts or cotton top with short skirt. Usually the top has short sleeves. Sometimes I wear a cotton crop top but also with sleeves.
But I think in virtual reality I want to push the boundaries a bit. This custom mermaid outfit is my attempt at dressing as skimpily as possible without being buck-naked! It still looks nice and I think it’s quite a tease.”
Matthew
“When I was in Junior College, I was crazy about music. I was jamming with a band as a drummer then and I was so obsessed with music I would skip homework or projects just to jam or watch countless of concert videos on YouTube. In fact, my very first career choice back then was to be a Rockstar.
But here I'm as a photographer now. Although I never got to live out my dream, that bit of me has always stayed alive inside me. I would probably not have a drum kit at home next time due to practical reasons. Neither would I dress like how I dress in the game because I won't feel comfortable.”
Avery
“Ever since I was little, I’ve always been fascinated by fashion. It all started with couture that was often extravagant and highbrow. This in turn led to my interest in collecting clothes with special silhouettes and fabric. I’d be dressed in styles that were impractical for Singapore’s climate.
These days, I keep it more minimal but the spark lives on through my everyday clothes. Once in a while, I’d still jump on that jarring piece of garment in the store and make it work. Certain designer pieces and fictional costumes that I’ve come across will live in my AC closet forever (or till the storage limit is up). After all, there’s no such thing as impractical or impossible in Animal Crossing!”
Kevin (@k3vintan/@kevsingssongs)
"I miss the gigging and jamming life. Most of all. I miss having drinks while enjoying live music. Before the Circuit Breaker, one of the things I took for granted was to be able to unwind and chill over tapped beer at the end of a long day. These days, I stay home and play AC most of the day while unwinding over a can of beer or a glass of whiskey. Making videos of my online jams with friends and writing original music serve as a good outlet too. Though nothing comes close to live music!"