charles le brigand's photostream  

This gentleman was window-shopping at Freddy's

www.charleslebrigand.com/

West Side, NYC.

www.charleslebrigand.com/

Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn.

www.charleslebrigand.com/

Freddy sells pretty much everything - from women shoes, old vinyles and best-sellers to children toys and furnitures. He occupies a small piece of land on a corner of Nostrand Ave. in Bed Stuy, where he set up a "pop-up store" three years ago. As a good business man, when I asked him if I could take his portrait, Freddy replied "I ain't doing nothing for free".
- "let's do something" I said - "I will pay you if you are not satisfied with the final product".
- "aight, that's some real good customer service here, we have a deal".

www.charleslebrigand.com

I went to see Jose today to give him the photograph that I had promised to offer him for his birthday. Jose opened the door of his apartment in Crown Heights and said: "Hombre, I thought you had forgotten about me, please come in". He stared at the print for a couple of seconds and said: "Caramba, esa foto es maravillosa!". He then offered me money (again) for the print and politely asked if I could take more pictures of him in his house. I obviously refused the cash and we started an impromptu photo-shoot in his living room. After a couple of shots, Jose went for his hat "as it matches perfectly the tone of my guayabera" he said.

Before leaving, Jose asked why I refused the money and why I am doing this. I replied that photography is my passion and meeting people like him makes me happy. He responded with a hug and said "Que dios te bendiga mi amigo".

www.charleslebrigand.com