Via Flickr:
It was my son’s birthday today and he wanted an ice-cream which is how I met Dave.
Dave runs a small ice cream kiosk beside the beach below Tynemouth Priory and when we arrived he had just stepped out of his kiosk for a short break but stepped back inside when he saw we were stopping. My 3 year old son then fished 50p out of his wallet (which I later replaced … with 60p – canny lad) and handed it over along with my £1 and he was rewarded with a very friendly “thank you” and an ice cream in return. We then wandered off a short distance and loitered while my son ate his ice cream and my brother-in-law took a few photos of a massive ship sailing into the distance and of the Priory itself.
Dave seized this opportunity and tried his luck for a quick break again but as he drew on his cigarette he kept glancing up at the darkening sky and we briefly commented that his luck might be coming to an end for the day. I then decided to ask him for a photo and he shrugged and said “if you like” without seeming to care why but I explained what it was for anyway and he did seem a bit more interested and asked when the photo would be available so I hope he does have a look.
I only took two shots of Dave but in that short time a young girl approached the kiosk but then walked away again and even though I almost immediately thanked him and went back to my family she did not come back – I sincerely hope that I didn’t cost him a sale but I suspect that I might have.
As we walked away though the sun came out again so hopefully there were plenty more ice creams to be sold that afternoon.
Dave, thanks very much for taking part in my project, and most importantly, my son really enjoyed his ice cream!
_____________________________
This picture is #22 in my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
99% Digital 