Story:
When my plans for this afternoon abruptly fell through, I found myself in Manhattan in a cute outfit with nothing to do. I quickly pivoted: I’d wander the enticing Moma Design Store, but beforehand I’d take a few photos to document my outfit since no one else was going to see it anyhow.
Propping my phone against a light pole, I set up the self-timer and began. Whenever anyone walked by, I’d move out of the way, but suddenly one of those strangers approached me. Wearing a light mauve hoodie and a black peacoat, he offered to take a photo for me. I hesitated for ten seconds, weighing the likelihood of anything creepy happening, but he didn’t give off that vibe so I said yes.
After a minute of my usual “I’ll walk back and forth pretending to be candid” thing, he paused me and posed me, mentioning he was a photographer. “Me, too!” I chimed in—and immediately clarified that it wasn’t usually just of myself. “That’s the problem isn’t it?” he laughed, “we never have any good photos of us!”
He handed me back my phone and I paused again for ten seconds, debating if I should ask for his handle, if for no other reason than to credit him. And in the length of that pause, he walked away. There was a sweetness in that, in knowing that he didn’t want anything in return. But I should’ve asked his name.
I’ve been really hard on my body lately, though I know she’s been doing her best and I’m doing my best to offer her grace for however she carries me right now. But photos have felt less fun lately. However, when I began scrolling through the photos the stranger took of me, I couldn’t believe it. So this is how someone saw me, all glowing and golden. She looks alive and beautiful and so many good things. They’re some of my favorite photos of myself, maybe ever. And if my plans hadn’t fallen through, none of this would’ve happened.
So all I’d ask is that you’d share this story in hopes that I could find this person and at least thank him for helping me see myself. We met on W 57th, close to 10th on the west side of Manhattan. And if that’s you, if you’re reading this: thank you.
-written on 1.27.22
Outfit details:
Shirt: $8, vintage from Salvation Army in Manhattan
Pants: $6, vintage from Salvation Army in Des Moines
Initial necklace: $45, Leona Ruby
Ring: $163, Chad Barela
Boots: $8, vintage from Salvation Army