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Chen Nian 陈念
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Normally I wouldn't post quick pictures from my phone here but I just love these shoes I got today too much!
Lauren Chen speaking with attendees at the 2022 AmericaFest at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
I was walking in downtown Toronto and was returning to my bicycle to ride home when I saw her. She passed me going the other direction and I instantly asked myself that familiar question: “Why didn’t I stop her and invite her to be in my Human Family project?” I reversed direction and turned the corner to see where she and her friend had gone and discovered they had stopped to light up a cigarette and chat with each other. Lucky me. Second chances are never to be wasted. I made the approach, introduced myself, and told her that she had a really cool look and I’d love to have her in my photo project. She was attentive but noncommittal until I told her a bit more about me and my project and showed her my contact card. She laughed and said she is a photographer herself and does street photography. “I’m far more comfortable behind the camera than I am in front of it.” I said “What a shame. I’m very certain that you would make a great subject. I won’t force the issue, but would you be willing to let me take a couple of photos and if I’m wrong, I’ll delete them. If I’m right, maybe you will change your mind and be part of my project.” She laughed and looked at the contact card and her friend encouraged her. She relented. Meet Chen.
After telling me her name, Chen corrected herself and gave her North American name. I told her I’d like to use her “real” name but it was her choice. She said “Ok. Make it Chen” and she spelled it out. Her friend offered to babysit my coffee cup while Chen and I turned the corner to use a tinted bank window for the photos. She said she wasn’t sure how to pose or have her photo taken. I said the usual: “Just look into my camera lens and let the rest happen.” In reviewing the photos she liked the one with a slightly sideways look “But you’re the photographer today and it has to be your decision for your project.” I thanked her and said I do make the final decisions but I am influenced by the preference of my subjects.
We returned to Chen’s friend and chatted. Chen is from mainland China and has just completed a university degree in Communications. She came to Canada 5 years ago to study. She enjoys doing street photography “because being alert to what is around me teaches me so much about the world I live in. I am the observer.” She didn’t have a website she was ready to link me to because it’s a work in progress but she showed me a couple of nice black and white photos, one capturing a nice moment on the subway. She was intrigued by the Human Family approach and I told her the interaction with people through conversation and storytelling is an important part of the pleasure it gives me. When I asked her what motivated her to overcome her discomfort and participate in my project as a subject she said she realized she’s always on the receiving end by photographing others and it felt only right to be on the giving end today for me and my project. She asked about joining the group and I told her she would be most welcome to join us. It would be great if she started posting in our group.
Chen’s friend (sorry but I didn’t get her name) described Chen as “Kind of a freak. Dramatic.” I could tell this was a compliment. Chen said confirmed that it was. “My friends all say I’m a bit of a weirdo but they just mean I’m my own person.” We had a brief chat about street photography and the never-ending challenge (and reward) of capturing “the moment” – whether it be a street scene or a portrait of an individual. When I asked Chen what comes next, now that she has graduated, she said she would like to become a permanent resident in Canada. To do so she has to get a job with some security and get through the bureaucracy of immigration. I hope it works out for her.
It was a very nice encounter and I thanked Chen and her friend (they were friends in mainland China before coming to Canada) for taking the time to meet and participate in The Human Family Group on Flickr.
This is my 249th submission to The Human Family Group.
You can view more street portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family.