The Woman By Modocs

"Your making me laugh" was the words that began to slip out between little giggles of this beautiful woman. I met her Saturday, November the 9th, downtown on the corner by Modocs. Next to her was a stand full of little booklets (Jehovah Witness) along with a man in a tie, both friendly as I walked by initially with my Dad.

We had been downtown, with the family, at the christmas store they put in every year. We were going to meet Mom and Sis at Wooden Ivy after Dad and I got some fresh air. I wanted to take my camera and walked around, my hope was to practice what I have been seeing some photographers do called street photography. Being this is Wabash and not New York City, it is much harder to blend into a crowd and take someone's portrait when there is no one on the street, but there was the woman by Modocs.

After we exchanged our "mornin", and walked by with smiles, all I could think about was this woman by modocs. I decided we would walk down to Francis Dress Shoppe and the Wedding Gown windows to see the beautiful dresses and take some photos there. The gowns were stunning and made good pictures but I couldn't get the woman by Modocs out of my mind, so Dad and I began walking back and as we got closer I decided I would ask.

"Excuse me, would you mind I took your portrait?"

"What for?" she said with a friendly laugh.

"Just for practice, I just think you would make a beautiful portrait!"

"I guess that would be ok" She said as she continued staying leaned against the wall.

I began to take several photos and went to the side of her, a little apprehensive and shy she looked towards me.

Click. I got the shot, as I stood in the same place she looked away.

"You’re making me laugh" she said with a contained smile trying to hold it in still looking away.

Click.

"That's ok, it's perfect and your beautiful!"

Then, a spark! It was as if all uncomfort and shyness melted away, turning straight towards the camera she began to laugh with the most beautiful smile.

Click. I knew I got the perfect shot.

"What is your name?"

"Rose"

"Lorynn, it was good meeting you thank you so much for letting me take your portrait!" We exchanged phone numbers and seemingly last goodbyes, I turned to go.

"Do you like to read scripture?" she asked

"Why yes I do!"

"Take one of these pamphlet, I'm sure you will like them, they are free."

I grabbed the pamphlet on heaven, and told her thank you for both the pamphlet and for letting me get her portrait.

"It will be perfect there!" She said noticing which pamphlet I had picked up with smile.

"Yes, yes it will!"

We said our last goodbyes and I promised to send the photos to her, to write about my thoughts (from the extended conversation over scriptures), and to stop and visit her if I see her out again. This is a memory I will never forget, a friend made, and my first street portrait of the women by Modocs exquisitely named Rose.

Thank you Rose.