Maryaam
There is always an element of chance involved in meeting complete strangers but some of these encounters happen more naturally than others. This was one that almost didn’t happen (but I’m quite glad it did).
I was heading downtown and saw her on the ground level in the subway station. Her “ebony and ivory” hair grabbed my attention immediately, but she was in the middle of a phone call so I resigned myself to chalk it up as “one of the ones that got away.” I proceeded down two flights of stairs to the train level to wait for my train but a little voice kept nagging me and I knew it wouldn’t quiet down unless I walked up the two flights just in case she was still there and was no longer on the phone. As I arrived at the top of the stairs, there she was – and she was just putting her phone away. I explained I’d seen her a few minutes ago and wanted to ask her to participate in my Human Family photo project but didn’t want to interrupt her phone call. She said she noticed me and apologized for not having been available. Sure, she would be happy to participate. Do I have a card or something? I gave her my contact card and she told me with a smile that she had about five minutes. Meet Maryaam.
With time being of the essence, I told Maryaam that we could make a better photo if we stepped through the doors to the streetcar platform where there was some natural light – a spot I have used several times in the past (recently for a portrait of A.J and a week before, one of Denielle). Upon hearing that I was a retired Social Worker, Matyaam said her mother was a Social Worker. I was surprised when she fell into a very nice pose with the same wide smile she had shown when we first met. She went on to explain that she’s getting into modelling. In addition to that, she is learning online commodities trading and is also establishing a YouTube presence. On Instagram her handle is @shawtyherbs. She has been interviewed online regarding her interest in beauty products and self-care. (www.revitaskinclinic.com/blog/2019/2/20/selfcareseries) She is also running a business called Ready Set Flutter which sells silk eyelashes with Swarovski crystals and is a team member at Sephora beauty products.
With time being short, I just had to ask about her amazing black and white hair. She laughed and told me it is a reflection of how she sees life. “It’s like a Yin and Yang thing. I am committed to embracing all of life’s ambiguities – the good and the bad. Opposites need not be viewed in terms of conflict but they should be accepted as coexisting in harmony.”
Her message to the project was “Follow your dreams.”
Maryaam was in a hurry so I didn’t delay her further but thanked her for taking the time to meet. I reflected on how my initial thought of meeting her was blocked by her being on the phone but I was glad I decided to give it a second try. She laughed and said “See? It was supposed to happen.” We parted with a friendly handshake.
Upon reflection I was struck not just by Maryaam’s sparkling friendliness, but by her positive energy and ambition. She believes in following your dreams and her multiple activities, at the young age of 22, demonstrate that she follows her own advice.
This is my 856th submission to the Human Family Group on Flickr.
You can view more street portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family.
Maryaam
There is always an element of chance involved in meeting complete strangers but some of these encounters happen more naturally than others. This was one that almost didn’t happen (but I’m quite glad it did).
I was heading downtown and saw her on the ground level in the subway station. Her “ebony and ivory” hair grabbed my attention immediately, but she was in the middle of a phone call so I resigned myself to chalk it up as “one of the ones that got away.” I proceeded down two flights of stairs to the train level to wait for my train but a little voice kept nagging me and I knew it wouldn’t quiet down unless I walked up the two flights just in case she was still there and was no longer on the phone. As I arrived at the top of the stairs, there she was – and she was just putting her phone away. I explained I’d seen her a few minutes ago and wanted to ask her to participate in my Human Family photo project but didn’t want to interrupt her phone call. She said she noticed me and apologized for not having been available. Sure, she would be happy to participate. Do I have a card or something? I gave her my contact card and she told me with a smile that she had about five minutes. Meet Maryaam.
With time being of the essence, I told Maryaam that we could make a better photo if we stepped through the doors to the streetcar platform where there was some natural light – a spot I have used several times in the past (recently for a portrait of A.J and a week before, one of Denielle). Upon hearing that I was a retired Social Worker, Matyaam said her mother was a Social Worker. I was surprised when she fell into a very nice pose with the same wide smile she had shown when we first met. She went on to explain that she’s getting into modelling. In addition to that, she is learning online commodities trading and is also establishing a YouTube presence. On Instagram her handle is @shawtyherbs. She has been interviewed online regarding her interest in beauty products and self-care. (www.revitaskinclinic.com/blog/2019/2/20/selfcareseries) She is also running a business called Ready Set Flutter which sells silk eyelashes with Swarovski crystals and is a team member at Sephora beauty products.
With time being short, I just had to ask about her amazing black and white hair. She laughed and told me it is a reflection of how she sees life. “It’s like a Yin and Yang thing. I am committed to embracing all of life’s ambiguities – the good and the bad. Opposites need not be viewed in terms of conflict but they should be accepted as coexisting in harmony.”
Her message to the project was “Follow your dreams.”
Maryaam was in a hurry so I didn’t delay her further but thanked her for taking the time to meet. I reflected on how my initial thought of meeting her was blocked by her being on the phone but I was glad I decided to give it a second try. She laughed and said “See? It was supposed to happen.” We parted with a friendly handshake.
Upon reflection I was struck not just by Maryaam’s sparkling friendliness, but by her positive energy and ambition. She believes in following your dreams and her multiple activities, at the young age of 22, demonstrate that she follows her own advice.
This is my 856th submission to the Human Family Group on Flickr.
You can view more street portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family.