It’s hard to believe that the photo below was taken of me over ten years ago. I was training to be a photographer in the Wisconsin Air National Guard at Fort Meade, Maryland. My class was allowed to wear civilian clothing to Baltimore that day as we had an assignment to photograph strangers (with their permission). I remember the instructor telling us to keep our eyes open for the big picture… the emotion in the motion of strangers.
This assignment was something I was very uncomfortable with. I had a million thoughts running through my head, mostly dealing with the idea of people rejecting me which would further lead to me failing the class. Or even worse, the thought of confrontation if someone accused me of being a creeper, randomly asking to take their photo!
As I walked through the streets of downtown Baltimore, I became aware of just how many people the city held. I looked for a story in everyone that rushed by, the men working construction, the gentleman sitting on a park bench feeding pigeons, the little girl holding on so tightly to her mother as they crossed the street in a slow jog.
……..And then I saw her. She stood about 5 feet 4 inches tall, slightly hunched over, a dog the size of a handbag at her side. As I walked in her direction, we made eye contact. I felt immediate relief when I saw nothing but kindness… and a story.
She was so pleased when I asked her if I could take a photograph of her and her dog for my photography class. Her eyes were a pale blue, and her smile, filled with warmth. As I snapped away, it was very clear that I no longer existed in her mind and sight. It was only her and her companion. She was so happy in that moment.
As I dropped my camera to my side, she stayed in that moment, now hugging her dog so closely, eyes fixed on the ground. With a gentle smile, she began to tell me about memories with her husband, his passing and her life in Baltimore. She was a walking book, and the photo I captured of her opened it. I saw the emotion in her motions. I saw the love in her soul.
To this day, the photo of her, no matter how simple, is my favorite photo.
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