Taya - a photo on Flickriver

Taya

We crossed paths on Gould Street on the downtown campus of Ryerson University. She looked like a fashion model as she passed me and I immediately turned on my heel to introduce myself and invite her to participate in my Human Family photography project. She listened attentively to my brief description and looked at my contact card and said she would be happy to participate. Meet Taya.

I suggested we take a couple of steps to do the photo on the corner, outside the campus coffee shop, to take advantage of a location that has served me well before. It didn’t take much to do the photos because Taya was an ideal subject – both in terms of her attractive appearance and her comfort in front of a stranger with a camera. The photos were done in a minute or two at most thanks to our coordinated effort.

I was interested to learn that Taya is 18 and was born and raised in Ukraine, a country much in the news this week as it features centrally in the American impeachment hearings. More surprising was the discovery that Taya came to Canada to pursue her education and a future at the young age of 15. I can’t imagine being 15 and coming to a new country and culture by myself. When I commented that her family must miss her she agreed but mentioned that she has visited back to Ukraine on summer break.

Speaking perfect English with a mere hint of an accent, Taya explained that she is majoring in Retail Management. I told her I would not have been surprised to learn she was in the Fashion Arts program, pointing out that although style is not a part of my presentation (jeans and runners), I certainly know style when I see it. She laughed and went on to say that Retail Management was a practical choice but that her personal interests are more on the creative side. Singing and art were mentioned as her passtimes. “So, in your heart, you are a creative soul” I suggested. Taya said “Definitely.”

When I invited her to share a message with the project, Taya said “Be yourself and stay balanced.” She cited her own integrating practical job preparation training with creative self-expression as her own form of staying balanced.

When I commented on how comfortably she had managed the photo-taking, Taya smiled and said “I do a bit of modeling.” When I said I wasn’t at all surprised and suggested it must help with school expenses, she laughed and said “Oh, I never charge anything. I do it for friends who are photographers.” When I said I was lucky to have found the perfect subject for my project, quite by chance, she smiled and said “I guess you did. It was really my pleasure. Helping you with your project was also good for me as an experience.”

We parted with mutual thanks and a friendly handshake just as her friend arrived. The two of them greeted each other warmly and blended into the crowd of students on Gould Street.

This is my 857th submission to The Human Family Group on Flickr.

You can view more street portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family.

Taken on: November 20, 2019

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Sets appears in: • The Human Family - Round 17

Groups appears in: • One Face @ a Time ~ Street Portraiture • Interesting Portraits ☺ [people] more » • Olympus Users • Portraits... Get Closer! • Can I take your picture? • The Portrait Group • STRANGERS! • Street portrait • Olympus E-System Community • Street Portraitist • Faces! • Documentary Portraiture • Flickr Fine Art Portrait Gallery • Human Faces * • Micro Four Thirds (Micro 4/3) • !Portfolio of People (HIGH QUALITY, ADMIN MODERATED p1/c2) • Prime Lens Portraits • Portraits and Faces • Mirrorless Movement • Portraits from the Street • People Portraits World • Mirrorless Photos • look my eyes • You Wear it Well - Cuties with Hats • Portrait Photograph • Flickr-eyes • Photography with a Story • Great Portraits (10th.Year) • Olympus M.Zuiko 25mm f/1.8 • Street Portraits Close Ups Only • The Human Family « less

Camera: Olympus E-M1, f/2.5, 1/200 sec, 25mm (=50mm), ISO 200 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Olympus E-M1
Lens:	OLYMPUS M.25mm F1.8
Aperture:	f/2.5
Exposure Time:	0.005 sec (1/200)
Focal Length:	25mm (35mm equivalent: 50mm)
ISO:	200
Exposure Bias:	-0.3 EV
Flash:	Auto, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Aperture-priority AE
Exposure Mode:	Manual
Metering Mode:	Center-weighted average
White Balance:	Auto
Gain Control:	Low gain up
Saturation:	High
Sharpness:	Hard
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Adobe Photoshop CS6 (Windows)
Show full info

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