As we waited at reception at Scotney Castle to show our National Trust membership cards, I was fascinated by the lovely hair and smile of one of the young ladies working there. She checked our cards and asked if we would like to visit the house as well as the gardens. When we accepted the invitation she looked at me and my camera and said that photography was allowed inside but no flash.
'I don't use flash, I said.
'Real photographers don't use flash', she said with a smile.
That was the moment when I decided to ask for a photo and explain my strangers' portraits: Meet Molly. I asked her to stand further along from the window behind her so I could use the wall as a background. I also explained that at any time I would stand back and let her deal with other visitors.
Molly told me that she has a Canon DSLR and around two years ago was about to take up an unconditional offer from the University of Gloucestershire to study for a degree in photography.
However, at that time, she was 'shooting' every night at a music venue, The Forum, in nearby Tunbridge Wells and became exhausted.
She decided to change her plans and applied to the National Trust, working first in the restaurant at Sissinghurst and, a few months ago, moving on to her present frontline job. She has no regrets abut relinquishing her university place.
I spoke a little more about my strangers' portrait project saying that mature folk are usually keen to have more conversation. Molly told me that the interaction with visitors is one aspect she really enjoys in her current role.
Molly has an 11 year old working black cocker spaniel called Nelson who she walks every day. She summed up her daily routine, with a smile, as working, sleeping, dogwalking...
I have emailed photos to Molly who wrote back: 'I really like them. I look forward to seeing what you write.' She further replied that it had been good to talk and had made her realise that it had been too long since she had 'properly picked up' her camera.
Molly, if you are reading this, I wish you all the best.
a couple of different portraits of Molly:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/150442566@N07/40582213913/in/dateposted-public/
I wonder if we will be seeing Molly on 365 some time in the future.
A lovely, thoughtful comment, thank you.