Infectious

Infectious


Hi, what you’re about to read is my life documented, my start as a struggling photographer. With in these torn pages you will read the highs and lows of my life and how I’ve come to be what I am today.

April 1st 2006

Today is my birthday and the only recognition it gets is a birthday card from the care home where my mother resides. I open the manila envelope a large card with all the nurses’ names, nurses I have come to know in the past 6 years of my life. My mother and father had been in a car accident six years ago, I was only twenty at the time, My father died instantly but my mother was the real tragedy. Forty-two year old Julie Turner was crushed and as a result of this sustained massive trauma to the head. Though she did not die the fate that took over was far worse, paralysed from the waist down and mentally handicapped, she can barely function and some times doesn’t even know her own name, or her own daughter.
The crash had been a real blow. At the age of twenty I arranged my father’s funeral, spoke in front of people I had known all my life and some that I had not. I arranged the meeting with my parent’s solicitors and my mothers and fathers wills. I was named as my mother’s carer and every thing my parents owned was left to me. I sent mum to one of the best care homes in the city. I struggled to finish university but I managed to pass all my subjects. After University I spent time being a freelance photographer but with the strain of looking after a large home and the costs of the home, I was forced to sell my family home and move into a large two bed roomed apartment.
Freelance Photography didn’t pay the bills so I got a job in a night club taking photographs of the occupants and in the days I worked at a small photography shop developing films and taking family portraits.
Today I am sat at the counter filing photographs away ready for their owners to pick them up. Any spares will be kept in our portfolio. The phone rings and I snatch it from the cradle.
“Snippity Snap Portraits and film developing how can I help” I answer my voice slightly sing song yet polite.
“Hi Its Adam James, I have an appointment with you in five minutes for a half hour photo shoot”
“How can I help you Mr James?” I ask checking the book and confirming the booking.
“We’re running late and I know you close at five but is it possible that we could pay extra for you to stay open for an hour?” I glance at the clock.
“We sure can do that for you Mr James” I answer, I liked this man’s voice, deep yet soothing, sending Goosebumps marching over my body. I was the only person on duty so I didn’t mind staying late.
“Brilliant I’ll be there in ten” He answers.
“See you then” we bid each other good bye and hang up. I busy my self by checking my camera and checking the lighting. I hear the bell and I turn to see a family of six walking through the door; an elderly couple, a young couple and a set of twin girls. The entire family was smartly dressed making me conscious of the tight black jeans and the blue shirt that I wore. The Young man walked towards me.
“Hi I’m Adam James, I just spoke with you” He states holding out his hand. I extend my hand and give his a firm shake.
“I’m Kelly, I’ll be your photographer this afternoon” He smiles at me, I decide I like this man’s bone structure, I wonder how old he is but then I remember the pretty brunette behind him. Lucky cow. He turns to the rest of the family.
“Kelly you can call me Adam, that there is My father Henry James, his wife and my mother Louise James, The twins Amelia and Kira. And my sister Beth” I smiled and nodded to each person secretly relieved the brunette was his sister but a guy like this must have had a girl friend. I chided myself, this was business.
“Nice to meet you all” I say and he hands me a fist full of photos. All staged and stuffy, I immediately dislike them.
“I see you dislike them” He states and I glance up in shock.
“No no they’re delightful” I stammer, shifting uncomfortable under his scowl.
“You can be honest” He laughs.
“Well, the use of light in this one is awful, you all look so uncomfortable and unhappy” I state studying the photos. I feel his gaze on me, I look up.
“Brilliant, so you know what I want?”
“A natural happy family portrait” I state understanding. I pull out the portfolios and hand them too them “why don’t you all take a look at them and I’ll fetch you some drinks?”
I take their orders but secretly I study them, their characteristics and their manner towards each other. I stand and watch them all interact intently. Brother teasing his sister in the way a proud older brother does. I see my opportunity and I snap a picture. The flash causes every one to look up. I apologise and check the picture. The Mother and Father were smiling, Henry James’ arm around his wife’s shoulder as they looked down at the portfolio, Brother and sister grinning madly as they conversed and the two youngest playing with their barbies.

“Finally” Adam declares. “A real photographer”

I blush feeling the colour and heat flood to my face while the others looked at Adam in confusion.
“It was a trick, the tea and biscuits she wanted to see us interact with each other to see the best setting for us” he holds his hands out and I reluctantly hand it over, he immediately shows it to their family who laugh and nod in understanding. I smile at the praise and take back my camera. I lead them to the scene I think is right for them. A lovely living room and arrange them. I put the twins back to back and their heads turned to me. Henry I stand before the fire place behind the arm chair where his wife sat, His hand I lay delicately on her shoulder. I reach Adam and his sister. To my surprise she grins at me and jumps onto his back. They all laugh and are still grinning when I return to my camera and take the shot. I take the shot and it seems perfect to me. I realise I should have shut shop ten minutes ago but I don’t care I do the full show, I take several photos. One of the men of the family, one of the women of the family, one of jus the children and one of just the mother and father and another one of Adam standing alone.
“Where do you want me?” He asks with a smile.
“By the fireplace” I answered. He walked over and stands side on and looks down to the fire, his face marred with the deep thoughts, I snap the shot and check the memory on the memory card. I want him to smile and I check around me, every one is out of ear shot.
“Damn that’s hot” I say and he slowly turns his head and looks up at me with a sexy sly smile on his face, I snap the picture.
“Much better” I state and pull the camera off the stand, I can’t help but notice he frowns slightly when he realises it was a trick but he laughs it off.
“tricky tricky” He says as I lead them all to the monitor. I show them all the pictures and to my pleasure they order three of every one. I write the order down.
“I can have these done for you by 5pm tomorrow” I state as I hand them the bill.
“You didn’t charge us for your over time” Adam states handing me back the bill.
“It was my pleasure” I say pushing the bill back to him.
“Do you deliver?” he asks.
“No sorry” I smile and lower my eyes as he fishes through his wallet.
“That there’s for the photos” He says handing me the cash. I print him a receipt. And hand it to him. He captures my hand and pushes a fifty pound note into it.
“I can’t take this” I gasp and try and push it back into his hands.
“You earned it.” His mother reassures me. I smile brightly.
“For that then, I will personally deliver your photos” I state.
“You don’t have to” Henry states.
“I want to, if all my customers were as nice and as generous as you guys I would do this more often, I already have your address, it’s not far from my place so I’ll post them on my way home tomorrow.”
They all leave apart from Adam I smile.
“You’ve got real talent, I should know, I’m a model” he states, He slips me his card “if you ever need a model or maybe a connection give me a call, I hate seeing good talent go to waist.” He goes to leave but I find myself feeling inspired and brave, I hand him my business card for the nightclub.
“I work there in the nights, if your ever in there and want a picture, its on me” He grins and I return it with a shy smile.
“You’ve done it now, now I know where to find you” he laughs as he exits the building. His smile is infectious and so is his laugh.


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