Window Sitting

Small Wonder / June 23, 2019

I’m not sure that I will ever truly understand the balance between taking and making a picture. Situationally, there are times when I am just truly unable to stop and speak with the subject of my picture. Sometimes that’s due to a language barrier, sometimes it’s because they’re in a rush and running late somewhere, and sometimes I just honestly get a little nervous confronting a stranger. 

For example, this picture was captured on my way out of a coffee shop to meet the rest of my classmates for the continuation of our tour around the city; arriving late to this was not an option. But even now, just glancing at the faces in the frame makes me a little bit embarrassed – feeling as though I somehow stole this moment. A sunny afternoon, a pick-me-up snack, a window seat for two. It was simple and sweet and pure and everything in between, but I feel as though the picture portrays none of this because I don’t have a substantial story to tell.

That’s a problem that I’ve run into time and time again on this trip – feeling as though there is some sort of authorization I must obtain in order to post a picture of someone. Authorization that can only be given by the subject after assurance that their story is being told the way they wish it to be. 

Time has made me a little more brave, but there are still an array of problems that arise and prevent me from fully knowing the purpose of my work. I hope to one day leave behind my passion for being a photographer and instead grow into the role of “storyteller”.