Why do we homeschool?

For this long-format project, I would document the Wild & Free Loudoun County homeschool group, a community that formed in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic began and many children transitioned to virtual schooling.

The question, “Why do we homeschool?” would give me an opportunity to explore motherhood, family relationships, and the connections that develop when families spend more time learning and growing together. I am also interested in the experiences children gain from learning in a less structured or stressful environment, and in the role that nature, community, and shared experiences play in their education.

Wild&Free has many events planned throughout the year, including book clubs—such as The Hobbit, where the children will dress up—field trips, camping trips, shared birthday celebrations, natural play, and hikes. These gatherings offer opportunities to photograph the relationships, routines, and small moments that make up the community.

I would interview the mothers and, when appropriate, the fathers who support their families, as well as the children themselves. I am particularly interested in how the children understand homeschooling and how they experience and see the world around them.

Because I have known this group since its beginning, I have already built relationships and trust within the community. I do not anticipate significant difficulties obtaining permission to photograph or record video, although I would approach each family individually and respectfully.

Most importantly, this project would allow me to tell a personal and intimate story about a community I care deeply about. Rather than focusing only on homeschooling as an educational choice, I hope to explore what it means to build a childhood, a family life, and a community outside of traditional structures—and what families find in choosing to learn together.