Take the damn picture, Dad!

When a photographer talks about the difficult subjects they've had to shoot in their career, if they fail to mention their own children (assuming they have some), they are lying chicken-shit cowards.

Dwayne (after and before)

Making new friends can be intimidating at times. Dwayne was in Union Square with a bunch of his friends the other night while I was roaming around. I wasn't even holding my camera up when I got the look on the left. Fortunately, I am fairly quick on my feet and said "Hold it. That's perfect." At which point he immediately broke into the grin seen on the right. At which point I lowered my camera and said "what'd you go and smile for. You ruined it." His friends started giving him all sorts of shit to which he said "No, gimme another chance, man." which resulted in the shot on the left. He was putty in my hands after that. BTW: do not try this unless you are in a very crowded area with lots of daylight and a clearly planned escape route. Being incredibly charming helps, too.

Another day, another intimidation tactic

This is Noel. He is actually quite charming in an off-the-wall sorta way. He really likes having his picture taken. (No, I mean REALLY)..."Yo man, yo man, check this...") He also likes bumpin' fists and making up crazy too-long-to-remember handshakes that make me feel silly engaging in (but need to lest I insult him)