Yaseen

I made these portraits of artist Yaseen in Paris November, 2015. Martha and I noticed his artwork taped along the wrought iron fence that encloses a small garden and playground on the side of the St. Germain de Près church. We found several pieces that we wanted to buy, but there was no one around to give us a price.  We stepped inside the garden for photos and as well were leaving Martha spotted Yaseen walking down the sidewalk, recognizing him from a newspaper article hanging with his work. He spoke some English and we walked back into the side entrance so he could sign our work. He looked so familiar to me and I finally placed him. I asked, "Do you knowMeredith Mullins?" With an amused look, he said, "Of course." I told that I was a friend of hers and had bought her book, In A Paris Moment, in 2008. She includes a striking portrait of him in the book, as well as sharing that they had been friends for over 10 years. A very special Paris moment for me as well.

L'homme et la bouteille

Early evening I was doing a walking photography tour on the Île Saint-Louis with Meredith Mullins.  We stopped to look over the wall and this is what we found.  We debated about the wrapper on the bench and Meredith offered to run down and move it, but we decided the moment would be lost. To quote Meredith's wonderful book....another  Paris Moment!

Un autre moment à Paris

From time to time, I have what I call a Paris moment *.  A very special experience that reminds me of just how much I love this place.  This afternoon as we were walking through the colonnade of Place des Vosges, I heard a  harp being played and I knew just who it was.  This harpist I photographed two years ago and shared here, was in the very same spot.  As we stopped to listen, he played l'Hymne a l'amour ** and those of you that know me well,  know that I teared up.  Je suis sans espoir bien sûr!

*  In a Paris Moment, by my friend and very talented photographer Meredith Mullins, was my inspiration!


** Today I'm giving you France's beloved and a much younger Johnny Hallyday's version. Your thoughts??

The Art of the Wait

Most of time I'm in Paris, I seem to find myself on this frantic photo hunt. I try to slow down but somehow I'm always feeling the clock ticking away the days, the hours, the minutes till I must leave again. I haven't been able to overcome that need to get just one more image to carry home with me.

I have been privileged to meet and work with American/Parisien photographer Meredith Mullins. When I first discovered  her book In a Paris Moment, I found an interview where she spoke of "the art of the wait", when you sit and take the time for that someone to walk into your photograph that takes it to another level.   I think about that wonderful advice so often, and sometimes I think I pull it off, usually by sheer luck.  Today, an example of waiting.... until this  boy and his poppa made it happen.

100 French Strangers - L'artiste

French Stranger #56

I'm cheating a little on this one. I knew this artist at Place du Tertre even before I spotted him that cold, damp day. You see, I'd already "met" him when my friend, American ( living in Paris) photographer Meredith Mullins , featured him in her terrific book, In a Paris Moment. I walked right up and in my broken français I told him I thought he was famous because of Meredith! When I said her name, he smiled and it was easy after that. In this photo he is telling a fellow artist why he's "famous"! I wish I'd had more time with him and could have gotten a shot even half as good as Meredith's portrait in her book. Quel dommage. But it was a special meeting. I'm satisfied with that.

For the record, I tried to take the neighboring artist's photo and he said, "Non, I don't want to be famous." His loss don't you think?

An Evening With Meredith Mullins

Watching

Once in a lifetime. That's how I feel about my evening spent with American photographer/writer Meredith Mullins. I fell in love with IN A PARIS MOMENT a few years ago and have followed her since. Her name might sound familiar. Check my sidebar. Long story short, I heard she was now living in Paris and teaching, so I contacted her before I came. We met for the first time last night, but I felt like I'd known her forever. We laughed at the similar photos we've taken and when we hit the streets at Ile St. Louis, her Parisian neighborhood, many times we both saw a "shot" and eyed each other. I learned so much from her last night. I hope if I 'm ever lucky enough to return to Paris, we can work together again. I'm certain we'll stay in touch.

Meredith

Notre Dame at night

Le Concerigerie



Stairway to the Quay