Cleon
I was walking up Toronto’s Yonge Street and he passed me on the sidewalk going the other way. I didn’t have time to react but a moment later I realized that his friendly face made me want to meet him and invite him to be part of my Human Family project. Fortunately, he paused long enough for me to catch up and explain what I’m doing and that I would like to photograph him for the project. He had a bemused, but friendly look on his face and said “Sure.” Meet Cleon.
The closest decent spot for a portrait was a covered sidewalk protected from a construction site by scaffolding. Cleon didn’t mind backtracking a bit because it was only about 3-4 storefronts away and he said he was in no particular hurry. Photographing him was easy because of his relaxed, friendly personality. I simply took a few photos while pedestrians walked around us and we were done. Cleon was very tall so I had to hold my camera above me and use the “live view” on the back of the camera.
Cleon is 42 and he works in construction which made sense when I felt his strong handshake. He was born and raised in the famed Montego Bay, Jamaica but came to Canada 12 years ago looking for better opportunity and a good lifestyle. Our encounter was brief but very friendly. When I asked how his friends would describe him he said “Probably easy-going.” I would agree with that. Cleon’s message to the world: “Stick to your goals and things should work out.”
Thank you Cleon for the opportunity of meeting and for helping out with my Human Family project on Flickr. I hope Canada is living up to your expectations. Judging by the relaxed smile on your face, I can only conclude that it is.
This is my 196th submission to The Human Family Group on Flickr.
You can view more street portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family.
Cleon
I was walking up Toronto’s Yonge Street and he passed me on the sidewalk going the other way. I didn’t have time to react but a moment later I realized that his friendly face made me want to meet him and invite him to be part of my Human Family project. Fortunately, he paused long enough for me to catch up and explain what I’m doing and that I would like to photograph him for the project. He had a bemused, but friendly look on his face and said “Sure.” Meet Cleon.
The closest decent spot for a portrait was a covered sidewalk protected from a construction site by scaffolding. Cleon didn’t mind backtracking a bit because it was only about 3-4 storefronts away and he said he was in no particular hurry. Photographing him was easy because of his relaxed, friendly personality. I simply took a few photos while pedestrians walked around us and we were done. Cleon was very tall so I had to hold my camera above me and use the “live view” on the back of the camera.
Cleon is 42 and he works in construction which made sense when I felt his strong handshake. He was born and raised in the famed Montego Bay, Jamaica but came to Canada 12 years ago looking for better opportunity and a good lifestyle. Our encounter was brief but very friendly. When I asked how his friends would describe him he said “Probably easy-going.” I would agree with that. Cleon’s message to the world: “Stick to your goals and things should work out.”
Thank you Cleon for the opportunity of meeting and for helping out with my Human Family project on Flickr. I hope Canada is living up to your expectations. Judging by the relaxed smile on your face, I can only conclude that it is.
This is my 196th submission to The Human Family Group on Flickr.
You can view more street portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family.