Josh
I saw a painted underpass in Toronto’s West End and paused, thinking it would be a good location for a photo. I checked the light and proceeded to wait for a potential subject. One good candidate declined with politeness, apologizing that he was on a tight schedule. As he walked on he turned and said “I’m really sorry to be in such a rush but I hope your project goes well.” When people decline, it’s often that polite. A few minutes later this man came through the underpass, pushing a stroller with a toddler, bundled against the snow flurries. He stopped to hear my introduction and my wish to photograph him alongside the brightly-painted wall. I showed him the sample photos on my contact card and he reflected on the name of my project “The Human Family.” “Sure” he said. “I’ll do it. It sounds like a really nice project. I would prefer you not photograph my son, though; we want to keep his internet exposure at a minimum.” I said I understood and we shook hands. Meet Josh.
I told him he had already made a favorable impression on me because our youngest son has the same name. He smiled. I showed him where I wanted him to stand and suggested we turn the stroller around so his son Amos would be able to see his Dad while I took the photos and chatted. Amos, who is 20 months, sat patiently in his stroller for ten minutes, watching while we did the photos and got acquainted.
Josh is 32 and he and Amos were on their daily outing and got caught in some snow flurries. They were just returning home from their favorite café where Josh had enjoyed a tea and they shared a morning snack. Josh told me he is a stay-at-home dad and has been doing the daytime parenting since his wife’s maternity leave ended. “It was an easy decision for us because my wife earns more than I do and daycare is very expensive.” When he told me his background is in Theology and he worked in the ministry I said I could imagine his wife earned more – no matter what she did. He laughed and agreed. He had ministered in a high-needs Toronto neighborhood south of where we were standing. He told me that being at home all day with Amos, bonding and watching him develop, was a big adjustment at first but he clearly loves being a stay-at-home dad and I sensed he felt it is a privilege. His wife is a behavioral counselor for clients with mental health issues. She is employed by a nonprofit housing agency. When I told him of my own Social Work background he said “My wife wants to do a Master’s degree in Social Work which would improve her employment options.” They hope to move to Sarnia, on the shore of Lake Huron, in the near future. “We have friend there and let’s face it, Toronto is a very expensive city for a young family.” Very true.
I learned that Josh is an American who married a Canadian. He’s from south of Buffalo New York on the other side of the border. We had a good deal to talk about given the political climate in the U.S. right now. With election campaigning underway and Donald Trump getting a shocking amount of support, we are both puzzled. Josh pointed out that Trump was defeated in Wisconsin yesterday and said “I’m an optimist.” We are both impressed by Bernie Sanders who seems to have a great deal of integrity and a deep commitment to peace and to those who are not living “The American Dream.”
Amos had been remarkably patient, watching us intently and not uttering a peep. Realizing that it was cold and that we were heading in the same direction, we talked as we walked toward the subway station. Josh’s greatest challenge? “That would be learning how to make myself vulnerable in an authentic relationship.” His message to the project? “Trust is a habit that can be learned. Mistrust is a habit that can be unlearned. It is only through risking that we can learn trust and your project is a great example of that.”
We reached the subway station and shook hands. I thanked Josh for an enjoyable chat and said goodbye to Amos. As I told Josh, he was a great subject for my project. It’s such a pleasure when someone quickly grasps and appreciates the part of the Human Family project which goes beyond making a street portrait. Josh wished me good luck with my project and said he was looking forward to viewing the photos. “See you soon in cyberspace” he said with a smile as he and Amos headed up the street.
This is my 224th submission to The Human Family Group on Flickr.
You can view more street portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family.
Follow-up: I received this nice email from Josh:
“Thanks for sending this! Sorry for my delayed response. I've been distracted by many things happening lately. The photos look wonderful. Thank you for your impromptu neighbourliness! I wish you all the best in your photo project. Keep spreading the love.
Peace, josh”
Josh
I saw a painted underpass in Toronto’s West End and paused, thinking it would be a good location for a photo. I checked the light and proceeded to wait for a potential subject. One good candidate declined with politeness, apologizing that he was on a tight schedule. As he walked on he turned and said “I’m really sorry to be in such a rush but I hope your project goes well.” When people decline, it’s often that polite. A few minutes later this man came through the underpass, pushing a stroller with a toddler, bundled against the snow flurries. He stopped to hear my introduction and my wish to photograph him alongside the brightly-painted wall. I showed him the sample photos on my contact card and he reflected on the name of my project “The Human Family.” “Sure” he said. “I’ll do it. It sounds like a really nice project. I would prefer you not photograph my son, though; we want to keep his internet exposure at a minimum.” I said I understood and we shook hands. Meet Josh.
I told him he had already made a favorable impression on me because our youngest son has the same name. He smiled. I showed him where I wanted him to stand and suggested we turn the stroller around so his son Amos would be able to see his Dad while I took the photos and chatted. Amos, who is 20 months, sat patiently in his stroller for ten minutes, watching while we did the photos and got acquainted.
Josh is 32 and he and Amos were on their daily outing and got caught in some snow flurries. They were just returning home from their favorite café where Josh had enjoyed a tea and they shared a morning snack. Josh told me he is a stay-at-home dad and has been doing the daytime parenting since his wife’s maternity leave ended. “It was an easy decision for us because my wife earns more than I do and daycare is very expensive.” When he told me his background is in Theology and he worked in the ministry I said I could imagine his wife earned more – no matter what she did. He laughed and agreed. He had ministered in a high-needs Toronto neighborhood south of where we were standing. He told me that being at home all day with Amos, bonding and watching him develop, was a big adjustment at first but he clearly loves being a stay-at-home dad and I sensed he felt it is a privilege. His wife is a behavioral counselor for clients with mental health issues. She is employed by a nonprofit housing agency. When I told him of my own Social Work background he said “My wife wants to do a Master’s degree in Social Work which would improve her employment options.” They hope to move to Sarnia, on the shore of Lake Huron, in the near future. “We have friend there and let’s face it, Toronto is a very expensive city for a young family.” Very true.
I learned that Josh is an American who married a Canadian. He’s from south of Buffalo New York on the other side of the border. We had a good deal to talk about given the political climate in the U.S. right now. With election campaigning underway and Donald Trump getting a shocking amount of support, we are both puzzled. Josh pointed out that Trump was defeated in Wisconsin yesterday and said “I’m an optimist.” We are both impressed by Bernie Sanders who seems to have a great deal of integrity and a deep commitment to peace and to those who are not living “The American Dream.”
Amos had been remarkably patient, watching us intently and not uttering a peep. Realizing that it was cold and that we were heading in the same direction, we talked as we walked toward the subway station. Josh’s greatest challenge? “That would be learning how to make myself vulnerable in an authentic relationship.” His message to the project? “Trust is a habit that can be learned. Mistrust is a habit that can be unlearned. It is only through risking that we can learn trust and your project is a great example of that.”
We reached the subway station and shook hands. I thanked Josh for an enjoyable chat and said goodbye to Amos. As I told Josh, he was a great subject for my project. It’s such a pleasure when someone quickly grasps and appreciates the part of the Human Family project which goes beyond making a street portrait. Josh wished me good luck with my project and said he was looking forward to viewing the photos. “See you soon in cyberspace” he said with a smile as he and Amos headed up the street.
This is my 224th submission to The Human Family Group on Flickr.
You can view more street portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family.
Follow-up: I received this nice email from Josh:
“Thanks for sending this! Sorry for my delayed response. I've been distracted by many things happening lately. The photos look wonderful. Thank you for your impromptu neighbourliness! I wish you all the best in your photo project. Keep spreading the love.
Peace, josh”