You Meet the Best People Through Photography

Two Lovely Young Ladies at the Route 66 Diner in Albuquerque

www.dennismook.com

I have found that one of the best aspects of photography is the people you meet.  Whether locally or while traveling, getting to know new people who have an interest in photography (or don't have an interest) is a facet of my photography that is especially gratifying to me.

I am about the friendliest person you will meet.  I never met a stranger.  I will approach and speak with just about anyone.  I used to be very reserved and shy.  Those who know me now would laugh at that prospect, but it is true.  What changed me?  Thirty-five years in law enforcement.  That job made me get out of my shell and talk with people.  When I put that blue uniform on in February, 1974, I had to be someone I was not.  I had to be the guy in charge.  I had to be the guy with the answers.  I had to be the officer who always knew what to do.  I had to be the one citizens looked to for help.  Over the course of time, my personality changed and, today, I am very outgoing and (some say--well, a lot say) talkative.  Yes, I love to converse with others as I find their stories fascinating.  So, to bring this back around, when I am out photographing, I don't hesitate to engage others in conversation.  I don't hesitate to approach other photographers and strike up a dialog about our passion, share experiences and compare notes.  All in the vein of being helpful to each other, never one-upmanship.

Angel Delgadillo in Angel's Barbershop,
Seligman, Arizona

I have several circles of friends based upon stages of life.  There are three guys who are literally lifelong friends.  They are like family to me and my life is much richer because of our very long friendship.  Then, I have many friends that I have met over the years through law enforcement.  Law enforcement is like a large family as once you are a law enforcement officer, we always look out for each other and their families.  Then there are my photographic friends.  They are a great bunch of men and women who share a passion to photograph.  Some like wildlife, some like general subjects, some like portraits, some like nature and landscape.  Each has his or her own interests, but the common bond is the passion to make images.  No matter what the interest, each is willing to help, give of themselves, teach and honestly critique when asked.  Honesty is required in friendship.

One more group that I must mention.  I really can't call them friends, but I'll classify them as acquaintances.  These are the individuals who pass through my life and I pass through theirs, but only briefly.  Today, those are mostly individuals I meet through photography.  I might have a casual conversation with them or I may ask them if I can make their image.  In either case, we enjoy the encounter and, by photographing them, I have a lasting memento of our brief meeting.  All because of photography.

During my recent road trip, I met several people whom I will remember.  Some because he or she was a very interesting individual and some because I made him or her laugh or visa versa.  I met a guy outside the men's room of Lou Mitchell's Restaurant in Chicago (don't jump to conclusions now!) who helped me find my wedding band that had come off my finger while drying my hands with one of those really high powered dryers.  He actually found it and we had a nice conversation about how I would have to just keep driving west if I had lost it!  My thanks to him for helping me find it.  He didn't have to, but he did.

Then there was the lady who worked in the Route 66 Museum in Pontiac, Illinois.  What a delightful woman who was well versed in the history of Route 66 in Illinois and pointed out some very interesting articles they had on exhibit.  She also had a great sense of humor! 

Debby Funk; Funk's Grove Pure Maple Sirup;
And that is the way they spell it!

The image at the top of this blog is of two sweet young ladies who were servers in the Route 66 Diner on E. Central Ave. in Albuquerque.  They not only were delightful, but their patience with me was infinite.  I kept asking them to pose in different ways as I recorded the inside of the diner.

In Seligman, Arizona, Angel Delgadillo, proprietor of Angel's Barbershop has been a fixture on Route 66 since his childhood.  His father was a barber before him and he was kind enough to not only allow me to make his image, but also to give me some of his time for conversation.  He is a legend along Route 66.

The lady on the right is Debby Funk of Funk's Grove Pure Maple Sirup (that's how they spell it).  I bought a quart as it was absolutely the best maple syrup I have ever tasted, bar none.  She was very nice and we had a nice conversation.

Whenever I see a law enforcement officer, I approach, introduce myself and thank him or her for their service to their community (we routinely thank our military folks but rarely our law enforcement officers).  We always end up in a conversation.  One thing the general public doesn't know about the law enforcement culture is that humor is very important as a psychological defense mechanism.  Hence, most law enforcement officers have tremendous senses of humor.  Now, they don't always display that to the public, but it is true.

There were the numerous hotel desk clerks who were kind enough to give us good information on great local eateries.  The proprietors of stores helped us by pointing out interesting local things that, otherwise, we may have passed by. 

The point of this post is, photography is much more than making images.  It is about relationships, experiences, memories and leaving others with a smile.  Photography is about impacting others lives.  Photography is as much about people as it is about recording what may be in front of you.

Thanks for looking.

Enjoy!
Dennis Mook