He Said He’d Give It a Shot

Being home for Jocelyn’s graduation gave me a chance to catch up with Bradley. He had never sat for portraits before, and when I told him I’d love to photograph him, he got visibly nervous. He agreed to give it a shot anyway.

We spent the afternoon in and around downtown Greensboro, among parking deck spirals, brick stairways, and the familiar skyline I used to call home. I kept him talking the whole time, asking questions and telling stories, anything to keep his mind off the camera. Somewhere in all that conversation, the nerves gave way and the real Bradley started showing up.

The laugh he could not hold back is my favorite proof that it worked. He came in unsure he belonged in front of a lens and left with photos that look like he had been doing it for years.