I got a sad and touching note from one of my bike portrait subjects, Trish. I ran into Trish by chance and asked for a photo on a chilly day in April.
.jpg "Trish")
Trish writes:
Just wanted to let you know that my bike (Betty:) was stolen this weekend. I’m pretty beat up about it. I bought her for $25 at an auction 7 years ago while I was still living in Philly. So I kind of feel like she helped me discover all the places I love in New York. At any rate, it’s been a pretty sad weekend but the only bright spot was that I remembered that you happened to snap a picture of Betty and I together 4 months ago. Would you believe after 7 years that’s the only photo have of my beloved bike? So I wanted to say thank you again for stopping me that day. It means a lot to me to have the memory preserved.
Sure, they’re objects, but bikes enable us to do so much, and with time really become something of a companion and an extension of ourselves.
Unfortunately Trish isn’t even the first #BikeNYC subject to have their bike stolen after I photograph them. Julian‘s beautiful new ride was jacked a few weeks ago. New York is a drag sometimes.
Anyway, I sometimes worry when I stop people for a photo that I’m wasting their time (and sometimes they agree :)). I’m glad that this time that wasn’t the case.
—
Interested in a #BikeNYC portrait? Contact me.