I am not really a hobby person. You know, basket weaving, or collecting stamps? No thank you. That is more for a middle aged man with no job, and a lot of time on his hand. But I am not a busy guy, so sometimes I need a hobby to occupy my time. Usually my hobby is sitting on a park bench and smoking a cigarette. It easily takes away stress, and keeps things on my mind. But on occasion I will take pictures. Considering I don’t really have the money to buy a camera, I just work at a shop down the street. The types of pictures I will take vary. Sometimes I do landscapes, others I do close up shots of flowers, and such. They never give me photo shoots for people. I personally thank them; most people in pictures are complete phonies. It’s just an image they want people to see them as. I would rather show them their true side. You know? Tell the camera how you really feel.
Everyday they still surprise me with the different shots I have to get. Like the other day a client wanted a picture of road kill. Being next to road kill was not the bad part really, it was more of looking over the many shots I took. Shot after shot I just felt like barfing on my camera. It seems like every day the shots I have to get are worse. I am extremely intrigued as to what I will get today.
After getting a nice brew of spiced coffee, I headed to the office. Lucky for me the coffee shop is right next to the shop, so the walk is minimal. Also the boss’s office is right in the front, so my day is starting off easy. Oh yeah, my boss is Mr. Vander. He humors me all of the time. Each time I get me a new assignment, he is always straight to the point. “Have you ever run over a possum before? Well today is the day you will take pictures of that possum” That is usually how he would break the new. But as I said his office isn’t very far. I knock on the door and wait for a response. “COME IN” His voice seems quite strained.
“Had a long night Mr. V?” I try to be sympathetic. He is an easy guy to get along with.
“Very long night; it is almost Christmas season, and so many families want pictures, But I only have so many portrait photographers” Goodness, I hope Mr. V doesn’t have a heart attack from this. But on the other hand I really hope he just gives me my assignment so I can avoid this train wreck.
“Oh, I am sorry Mr. V. I wish I can help. So what is my assignment for the day?” I inch closer to the door, crossing my fingers I don’t have to do a photo shoot with a family.
“Wait! You can help me; I know you aren’t one to do a portrait shoot….” Oh great, I just knew he was going to do this. “But can you just do this one family? Just to make my job easier? I promise after this you can choose any shoot you want. I just really need your help” He is literally on his knees and begging. I am not just going to be a douche and not help him out.
“I can do it.” I am only doing this for Mr. V. For his sake, I pray to god I get a decent family. All of the family photo shoots I have seen are complete fakes. Not the photos its self, but the people. Their smiles and posture is just so insincere.
“Bless your heart. Here, this is the Smith family. I have met them and they seem nice. They have a photo shoot scheduled for next week by their house.” Great I have no picture to determine what I am dealing with, just a name, and an address.
“Can they do the photo shoot today? I am completely busy next week” Even though I am trying to help out Mr. V, I still am trying to get myself out of this. I will even lie to get out of it; Depressing if you think about it.
“Just go there today. I will defiantly make sure the photo shoot will happen today” Great, Mr. V is trying anything to get me to do this shoot. He is one determined man.
