Sometimes in my life I come upon people or situations that turn out to be far different from what my initial thoughts were. I grew up as an Air Force brat and as such, I and my family moved several times, often without much notice. I don’t want it to sound like we moved every 6 months or anything but we did have a number of relocations. I developed  a knack for sizing people up real quick. I could tell you in under one minute if we would ever be friends. Not acquaintances. True, real, honest to goodness friends.

I have very rarely been inaccurate in zeroing in on people and what they are about; what their true agenda is. Of the few times I have been wrong, only twice have I really been burned by someone I considered my friend. The other times I was wrong resulted in my discovering someone who was or is quite a delightful individual. I made such a discovery a month or so ago while photographing groups of high school kids. There was one person who I shall refer to with the gender neutral name of Terry so as to not shed any light on the identity of this person.

Terry was someone who always struck me as being disinterested in most things, lacking a sense of humor, and generally not sociable. Not really mean, but certainly not someone who would offer a hand if needed. Terry kind of just existed and was just there, hanging around at various times and locations. I never really heard anything positive being said by Terry. But, I never really heard anything negative either. I just never witnessed Terry say anything. Funny how your total perception is based on only considering half of the whole picture.

Advancing my story takes me to a photo session where my opinion of Terry was blown to bits, the pieces swept into a pile, doused in gasoline, and set on fire. Then the ashes were gathered and then released in EF-5 hurricane force winds and dispersed never to be seen again. In other words… I was so far off base with my opinion. Turns out Terry is so very personable, so very funny, so very kind, and would make a great friend to anyone who is patient enough for the person I have described to appear.

Seems that Terry is a chameleon. Blends in. Doesn’t do much to draw attention. That is until Terry feels comfortable with you and the real Terry shows up. While taking pictures, Terry was urged to jump in front of the camera with an off the cuff request that I knew would never get Terry to take a position in front of my camera. I was completely shocked when that is in fact what happened. Terry grabbed a hat, threw it on haphazardly, and jumped in for a portrait.

In complete disbelief and actually stunned, I looked through the viewfinder, focused and pressed the shutter. CLICK! Gotcha! I just took a portrait of someone I never thought I would. Terry gave me a look as if to say, “There you are, sir. I am not who you thought I was. I am who I am and I do things on my schedule. Before this moment, I wasn’t ready for you to see who I really am, but you seem OK and so… Check me out!“.

To say I was blown away would be an enormous understatement. I simply stood there with a bemused, but content look on my face. What happened next was equally huge. Terry stood there looking quizzically. I simply asked, “Do you want me to take another photo of you?“. Terry smiled and nodded yes. A few seconds passed and Terry struck a pose that made me roar with laughter as I took the picture. A handful of others that were standing around joined in the laughter. And then it was done. Terry walked away and I got back to picture taking.

What I didn’t learn until later was that as I continued taking pictures, Terry approached my wife, who helps me on many of my photo sessions, and said, “Please don’t show anyone my picture“. I was very bummed out to learn that Terry never wanted anyone to see the awesome pictures I had captured.  I am guessing that in those few short moments after the pictures were taken, Terry worried that others would see the pictures. Others who Terry wasn’t ready or maybe even willing to let in. I will honor Terry’s request. No one will ever see those images, unless the day comes when I am given the OK to show them.

Since that day, I have learned much more about Terry and who this person really is. I have heard several stories about an incredible sense of humor. I have learned that Terry is quite intelligent and a very good student. I have learned that Terry will be college bound soon. I have learned the Terry is a very loyal friend.

I have also learned that I thought I knew who Terry was, but I was wrong.

Until next time,

Mark