Stranger 247 - Charlotte

Charlotte was walking towards me on a busy afternoon, in Clarks Shopping Village. As she passed, I noticed her bright blue eyes – at this point I hadn't noticed her blue hair. I think that her hood was up. It took me a few moment's to decide that she might make a good subject of a portrait. As I turned I saw her walk into one of the shops.

 

Now the question I asked myself... should I wait to ask her if I might take her photo as she came out? The danger with this... it can be a long wait. I waited briefly outside, then went in. I spotted Charlotte talking to a young man. He had ginger/red hair and beard. Rather than hover, I decided to go out again.

 

A few minutes later the bearded man left the shop. I went back in and discovered that Charlotte was behind the counter. She was working in the shop! Perhaps you think that I should have asked to take her photo in the shop. She was far too busy. I thought my chance was gone, so I decided to walk around the shopping centre in the hope of finding someone else to photograph.

 

I found a young woman called Molly. She was very interested in my project but not yet 18 (my lower limit). I gave her my card and suggested that she check out my project. I said that maybe we would meet again in a year. She said that she was in a band and said that she would contact me if they needed any photos!

 

Eventually I found myself passing the shop again. Who did I see outside? Two young ladies and one of them was Charlotte. I asked Charlotte if it would be OK to take her photo. I told her about my project and she agreed to take part. I told Charlotte how pleased I was and how I had seen her earlier etc. She told me that she wasn't even supposed to be working today.

 

She had come in because she had lost her iPad. Thankfully it had been found and I think that one of her colleagues was collecting it for her (perhaps even the bearded man). I apologised to the young woman who had been talking to Charlotte. Charlotte said “you don't have blue hair” - I didn't like to say that I hadn't even noticed her hair colour, when I had made my decision to ask her. Charlotte's friend would have made a good stranger portrait too.... well, perhaps another day.

 

Charlotte asked how the photography worked. She wondered if we had to arrange another time to do it. No, I said. Just sit on the bench over there and I will take your photo. Charlotte sat at one end of the bench and I sat at the other. She asked me if she should smile and I said it wasn't necessary. Her friend was behind me. I don't know what she did but Charlotte laughed. I'm sorry I didn't catch that laugh with the camera.

 

Charlotte is a creative type. She studied art and design at college. She would like to work as a stylist or personal shopper. The clothing store is giving her useful experience and is also enabling her to save up for some travelling that she plans to start next August. She has a friend that she would to visit in New Zealand.

 

When Charlotte said that she had to get back to work, I asked for her email address so that I could send her copies of the photos. She said that she was glad that she would be getting her iPad back because she would be able to look at them.

 

 

Thank you Charlotte for agreeing to be part of my project. It was good to meet you today. Best wishes for your future plans and for your travelling.

 

You can view more portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family

 

This is my 26th submission to the Human Family group.

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