Seven years and eleven cancelled appointments.
I'd almost given up, but not quite.
On the twelfth appointment I was expecting a cancellation and that meant I could go for my river bike ride and a macchiato in the strip in Fremantle. But this time Helen showed up complete with her mandolin ........ almost ready to be photographed. I say almost because I sensed her anxiety level was a tad higher than normal. I guess if someone had postponed their visit to the dentist or accountant eleven times they might be anxious. As soon as I fired off the first half dozen shots I descended the staircase and let Helen look at this image on the camera screen.
I first met Helen in July 2001 when she joined a portrait workshop at UWA Extension. Although I demonstrate portrait techniques during the workshop I make a practice of never offering to photograph students outside class. In Helen's case she asked for a portrait and I happily agreed. But it wasn't until April 2008 that we made an image together. It was a case of sympatico on hold for seven years.
In those seven years Helen and I chatted several times. Appointments were made, appointments were postponed. In that time I learned two things about Helen. First, that she was one of the most interesting and disarmingly honest and down to earth women I had ever met. Something of a rarity these days. I always felt totally relaxed chatting around Helen. Armed with dark sense of humour and sharp intellect the conversation was always energetic and inviting. Fortunately, our politics were in congruence. Helen also demonstrated a strong sense of heritage and a dedication to family. Her frankness was refreshing and invigorating. With Helen I learned that I was dealing with a genuine human being and a proud Australian.
The second thing I learned about Helen was that I had sort of met my match in terms of story telling. People often comment on the fluent nature of the stories I tell and interweave with my photographs. Helen had an uncanny ability and relate a story to take me from a relaxed state and keep me on the edge of my seat for half an hour.
But perhaps the major revelation was in the shoot itself on 13 April 2008.
When I reached the bottom of the staircase after just five minutes shooting Helen looked nervous. She immediately focused on the image I showed her. I think I saw a slight glistening in her eyes, then a small sigh of relief.
She quietly whispered 'I never realised I would look this good'.
I knew from July 2001 that she would look that good. Helen realxed immediately and the rest of the shoot was a breeze.
Entries to the 2017 Fremantle International Portrait Prize close on Friday 11 August. Click HERE for details.
I'd almost given up, but not quite.
On the twelfth appointment I was expecting a cancellation and that meant I could go for my river bike ride and a macchiato in the strip in Fremantle. But this time Helen showed up complete with her mandolin ........ almost ready to be photographed. I say almost because I sensed her anxiety level was a tad higher than normal. I guess if someone had postponed their visit to the dentist or accountant eleven times they might be anxious. As soon as I fired off the first half dozen shots I descended the staircase and let Helen look at this image on the camera screen.
I first met Helen in July 2001 when she joined a portrait workshop at UWA Extension. Although I demonstrate portrait techniques during the workshop I make a practice of never offering to photograph students outside class. In Helen's case she asked for a portrait and I happily agreed. But it wasn't until April 2008 that we made an image together. It was a case of sympatico on hold for seven years.
In those seven years Helen and I chatted several times. Appointments were made, appointments were postponed. In that time I learned two things about Helen. First, that she was one of the most interesting and disarmingly honest and down to earth women I had ever met. Something of a rarity these days. I always felt totally relaxed chatting around Helen. Armed with dark sense of humour and sharp intellect the conversation was always energetic and inviting. Fortunately, our politics were in congruence. Helen also demonstrated a strong sense of heritage and a dedication to family. Her frankness was refreshing and invigorating. With Helen I learned that I was dealing with a genuine human being and a proud Australian.The second thing I learned about Helen was that I had sort of met my match in terms of story telling. People often comment on the fluent nature of the stories I tell and interweave with my photographs. Helen had an uncanny ability and relate a story to take me from a relaxed state and keep me on the edge of my seat for half an hour.
But perhaps the major revelation was in the shoot itself on 13 April 2008.
When I reached the bottom of the staircase after just five minutes shooting Helen looked nervous. She immediately focused on the image I showed her. I think I saw a slight glistening in her eyes, then a small sigh of relief.
She quietly whispered 'I never realised I would look this good'.
I knew from July 2001 that she would look that good. Helen realxed immediately and the rest of the shoot was a breeze.
Entries to the 2017 Fremantle International Portrait Prize close on Friday 11 August. Click HERE for details.
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