[flickr]http://www.flickr.com/photos/joe_longobardi/4747992950/[/flickr]

Heading back to my car after taking shots of people hula hooping as they do every Tuesday during the Summer at Pritchard Park, I was intrigued by a jeep with a veteran’s plate and several bikes hanging from a rack fashioned to the back of the vehicle. Hesitant (call it a hunch), I eventually indulged in a quick shot for prosperity. Immediately, I was approached by a rather, let’s say, inquisitive individual who wanted to know why I was taking a picture of his jeep (man on left).

Explaining that I found the bikes interesting, I offered to delete the picture if it bothered him. He asked if I would email him a copy. I said, give me your email. He was slightly agitated, saying he’s been taking pictures longer than I’ve been alive. I’ve seen him carrying a Nikon D300 around town. Eventually he came around to giving me an email: a sign behind the front windshield of his jeep that read homelessveteransoutreach@yahoo.com and advised that I take a picture of the sign so that I would have his email. I complied! He insisted that I take some photos him and his partner as he pointed out that I clearly had plenty of shots available on my digital camera.

I promised that I would email the photos (not sure if he actually believed me). His friend later approached me as I headed back to my car asking if I could donate to their fund. I did. He asked if I had a card. I gave him a copy that I had in my camera bag.

As I left them to approach my car, they asked who I worked for. I replied “I work for myself!”

I’m glad I took that photo, or I would have missed out on getting to talk to these people.

Kismet!

All images © Joe Longobardi. All Rights Reserved. joelongobardiphotography.com/