After a rather hot walk with my camera along the River Hamble, I was glad to be in the cool pub with a cold drink, a bacon sandwich and a cup of decaff. Two young ladies were serving behind the bar and I thought I might ask for a portrait but it seemed too hot to even think about it.
However, refreshed by my refreshments, when one of them came to collect my plate I found myself asking her for a portrait. (I do always seem to take a slightly circuitous route to my subjects.)
She was a bit surprised but readily agreed. I introduced myself and found her name is Libby. I asked her to sit at the same table as me, just opposite. She commented on my ear rings (made by my daughter Clare) and said that she had made the ones which she was wearing and likes craftwork. So we immediately had a little something in common. I took a few shots which looked good on the rear camera screen and showed her lovely smile.
Libby moved to this area from London with her mother in January and works part time at the riverside pub while she is at college studying health and social care. I asked what she plans to do after finishing her studies and was a bit surprised when she told me that she would like to open children's homes, perhaps here or further afield, even in Africa. In fact I think I had to ask her to repeat what she had just said.
I voiced my thoughts that this was quite a big ambition. Libby agreed with me and then I was surprised even further to discover that she has already been on missions to various countries with the church she attends, including Israel and Romania.
She explained her craft work a little more, saying that she makes birthday and Christmas gifts for her family and friends. She has two brothers and described herself as a 'family girl'.
Libby went back to her work taking my card so she could contact me for photos. I really hope all her plans will be realised.
As for the photography, I liked Libby's portraits but found the background points of light behind her a little intrusive which happens sometimes in such a setting and for me is one of the difficulties of taking photos out and about.
see alternative photos here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/150442566@N07/43266605282/in/dateposted-public/
I’ll Thank you once again for your advise. Last weekend I asked a Total stranger to pose for me and she did.
My pleasure and I am glad it worked for you!