Monocacy - Up Close And Personal : Part III

Subtitled: Interpretation



When I tell a story of an image, at times, it's because of the emotional response I had while taking the photo. Other times, it's life's moments that bring about the image in my mind. I'm not clear on why 'this' image - I've learned not to question.

Also, this story is a little longer than usual - it needs to be that way.

I was shopping recently and while I was walking towards the ramp to go into the store, I noticed a little boy, around 2 or 3, clearly alone, wandering down the ramp. I paused. I looked around. I didn't notice anyone 'claiming' the boy. I kept my eye on him. Then he decided to venture into the parking lot. Now, keep in mind, other people noticed the boy (I saw that much). One woman continued to back out with the boy wandering around her van. Another couple just went along their merry way as if he was some kind of employee cleaning up the parking lot...I ran towards him and stopped him. He looked surprised. I asked him where his mommy was. He said nothing. I reached out my hand, he took it, and we walked into the store. I told the cashier I found this little guy and she yelled out "Did anyone lose a boy?" A young woman approached and said "Yes" and claimed him. I told her I found him in the parking lot and then she said "Ok"...That's it? "Yes", "Ok"...hmm.

I wondered what she was thinking. I wondered how she felt.

I left it alone and went shopping. When I was finished, I heard the cashier talking about the mother. How she was so irresponsible and thankless. How people steal kids all the time. How she would never let that happen to her son...hmm.

I got angry. I thought for a moment..."that could happen to anyone". What pisses me off are the people in the parking lot. The people so oblivious to what's going on around them that they couldn't spot a lost little boy wandering around in the parking lot...or if they did, chose to do nothing about it. WTF!

When I was leaving, the cashier said to me "I guess you did your good deed for the day."...hmm.

Good deed, what good deed? That's simply being responsible. Being accountable to our world's children. Being a human. Helping a mother who's so consumed by her life that she loses her little boy while shopping..good deed? Come on people WAKE UP!

~ take a breath

Look, I don't want to force-feed anything to anyone. What I want is for you to see how you fit into the world. Maybe there's room to be more compassionate. Maybe there's room to be more loving. Maybe there's room to be more selfless...maybe.



Looking at the photo of the waterfall, one can interpret the water as a gentle song. Another can interpret it as a crashing symbol...either way, it's your interpretation; this story is mine.

- greg

A pat on the back

Have you ever had a hard time patting yourself on the back. I have - i still do. I met Rachel Brooks through my mentorship with big brothers and big sisters. They were shooting a promotional commercial with her and asked me to photograph the event. I enjoy donating my time and talents. She's a great girl - smart, caring. I mentioned that if she ever needed a photographer, she could contact me. Long behold, she got in touch with me some months later and asked if i would sponsor her and the Miss Pennsylvania pageant with a photo shoot. Sure, why not...it should be fun.

So she shows up to my house, meets my wife and dog, and changes into this beautiful gown. At first i was intimidated with the pressure of 'getting it right' and 'doing a good job' - it's more about my b-s stories of not being good enough - once i started shooting though, all the worries and untruths dissipated (for a while, anyway). Her director was accompanying her and offered some great ideas for poses. It was a lot of fun. My wife was totally into it and assisted with props. I believe she truly loved embracing her little girls excitement around being with Miss Pennsylvania. We all had a great time.


Shortly after, once i provided the organization with the photos, they asked me if they could use one of the shots for the Miss America Organization for their website . Sure, why not...it should be fun. All of a sudden, the b-s comes back - 'are you sure you want people to see this' - 'the photo isn't THAT good' - AAARRRGGG!!! SHUT UP!!! I'm tired of thinking that I'm not good enough - I'm tired of hearing those 'stories' in my head.

~ take a breath

I've been doing personal work for many years and am very familiar with this voice. I am coming to the point of understanding that it may never go away. Sure it's silent for a while, there are times, though, when it creeps it's ugly head back in. What i DO know is that it's a lie. It's crap handed to me from people who never felt good enough about themselves and threw their 'stuff' at me...apparently, it stuck (like crap does).

Well, that said, i want to publicly and proudly pat myself on the back for doing a great job.

Here's a quote from the executive director of the Miss Pennsylvania Scholarship Organization...

"This is one of the best photos taken of Rachel since her state win..."

take that in!

- greg