I hope that translates correctly to mean “caring heart”.

While I was working on some of my images from my vacation last fall, I found I really like the color, activity, and people of some of the markets I was at in Spain and France. I am going to start work on a project related to markets of various kinds. It may not be the grittiest form of documentary or street photography, but there is a definite story to be told in the interactions and transactions that take place in markets.

At the farmers market on Airline Dr. in Houston, I noticed this woman as she was carefully sorting and stacking the produce for display. She was concentrating so hard she at first did not notice me. Her surprise led to a quick motion which really blurred the image I had stealthily tried to set up. She became quite embarrassed and self conscious. I explained to her (as best I could) that I was trying to get a picture of her and the produce display she was working on. She stepped aside as if to let me photograph the produce display but when I motioned for her to continue, she was really taken aback. She acted incredulous that anyone would want a photo of her. I told her I did and a long stream of Spanish followed that I could not comprehend, but I got the impression she wanted to know if I would make a photo for her to take home.

My Spanish is no where good enough to make sure she knew that while my camera could not make a print while I was there that I would bring her one next week so I asked for some help from someone to translate for me. I learned, she has never had a photo taken of her and is very self conscious. Through my translator I expressed to her that what I saw in her work and her interactions with customers was someone with a kind heart who cared about what she did and her customers. I told her I would be back in a little while to get another image of her. Later as I was coming back, I saw her talking with some women and that little twinkle in her eyes was there so I tried again to capture her without her noticing me – of course she did and she averted her eyes, but I like the results of this attempt. I think the essence of her still comes through.

I am going to get some prints made and matted and take back out to her next weekend. I hope to get her name and maybe some of her story next week. I didn’t get it while I was there – I too felt a little self conscious that I might be able to impact someones life with my camera.