Whenever I walk around a city I know I will meet someone interesting. Today as I was stopped along the Monroe street bridge I saw this man named Hatter Calvin. His baby head earring reminded me of a Buddha bobble head I have at home. We made I contact and I asked him if I could make a portrait of him. He was kind enough to say yes. We chatted a moment and I learned that he had moved here from LA about five months ago and was enjoying the community. I moved here from LA as a child so I think we had something in common.
A man named Roy was standing nearby as I photographed Calvin and we struck up a conversation. He was in a sad state after an family argument. I think just taking a moment to make eye contact and to acknowledge the challenges of life gave him a little respite from his grief. He had a kind face and I think I was able to capture that.
I felt blessed to make these images and to have this connections. The camera is a powerful tool for acknowledging the enduring human spirit.
