Thrift Store Find {Unique}

Sharing a personal favorite from some of my photojournalism work here. As part of an ongoing class last year at the Mpls Photo Center called “Finding Your Voice as a Photographer”, taught by Michael Crouser, I really embraced the fact that I love people. All kinds of people! But, I especially appreciate those who fully embrace who they are – all the quirkiness and simple things that makes us each so unique. And I am thrilled when I get capture someone’s unique character, as they express it in a moment of “normalness”.

So, I set out to challenge myself by visiting the Unique Thrift Store in Columbia Heights, MN to wander amongst my fellow shoppers. It was not an easy task. After about an hour of approaching folks and asking to take their photo, I was 0 for 9 {If you ever want to overcome your fear of rejection, this is a productive exercise. Note that I do not mention it’s fun, but you will get results}. Just as I was about to give up, I spotted her. Abby. Doing some shopping with her mother. I asked her mom if I could take some shots, she said “sure” and then promptly walked away and left me with her daughter. Abby was pretty much oblivious to me as she was making her shopping decisions, picking out her favorites. I quietly walked with her for a bit and then only took 2 shots, as that’s all I needed. I knew that I had the photo. She was completely in-the-moment with being in that special place between two worlds – browsing on her own as Abby the grown-up girl, but also doing so as Abby the “leopard cat princess”.

© 2012 Dette Snaps | Bernadette Pollard | Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota & Wisconsin Wedding Photographer