I do not look good in photos. True story, my own mother often failed to recognize photos of me. I’m not making this up. For some reason, photos of me don’t look like me.
I hate pictures of myself, but I love pictures of other people. Nothing makes me happier than getting photos from friends and family and I love things like magazines and photo exhibitions.
One of my favorite photographers was the late Bill Cunningham whose work appeared in the New York Times.
There is an excellent documentary titled Bill Cunningham New York, and I became even more of a fan after learning about the amazing man behind the camera.
Bill Cunningham was a fashion photographer, but that title doesn’t do him justice. He tirelessly recorded ordinary people on the streets of New York for decades, providing a visual history and a window into how people see themselves and how we see others. His images showcased people’s spirits and personalities, not just the clothes they wore.
He worked hard and lived frugally and one of the things he is best known for was his refusal to accept any type of reward or gratuity, not even so much as a glass of water when he was photographing an event. He was his own man, and he did the work he loved because he believed in it, not because he was getting fame, perks, or freebies.
Of all the things I have learned about him, that stood out to me the most. Here was a person with ethics and integrity, two traits that are often lacking these days.
As I embark on my career as a fiction writer and blogger, I’m going to take Bill Cunningham as my inspiration for how I plan to conduct my business.
As I write about the things that inspire me, I want to make it clear that I am sharing information about things I find meaningful and helpful. When I mention or recommend something, I am not looking for any type of compensation.
So…. If I receive any type of gift, freebie etc., because of anything I write, I pledge to donate the items to charity or use them as reader giveaways. The exception will be books and invitations to events because I can write about those and share them with readers.
With all that said, I recommend you check out the documentary about Bill Cunningham. I hope it inspires you to look at people, art, fashion, and creativity in new and illuminating ways. Thanks for reading.
Eileen Blake
