I Got Recognized on Mineral Spring Ave (And It Made My Day)

Lifestylez Barber Shop
I was walking down Mineral Spring Ave doing what I usually do — taking photos, getting my steps in, noticing things most people walk right past. Graffiti on the side of a small commercial shop, American flag hanging out front, moving slow in the wind. I stopped and just looked at it for a second. That's the kind of stuff I love snapping photos of.

Then I kept walking past Lifestylez Barbershop. One of the workers stepped outside and goes, "Hey, hey — are you that Instagram guy?"

His name was John.

I laughed and said yeah, that's me. We started talking and I asked if I could grab a quick portrait. Honestly I'll be the first to admit — I don't shoot portraits much anymore and this one showed it. The framing was a little off, I kind of knew it while I was doing it, but you know what? It didn't matter.  

John at Lifestylez Barbershop
John told me he follows me because of the urban exploration adventures. The abandoned buildings, the forgotten places. That's his thing too. And hearing that from someone face to face just amazing to hear!

That's the thing about this work. The content is one part of it, but the community that builds around it — that's the other part people don't always talk about. I love meeting people who are into the same stuff. People who look at a crumbling mill building and see something worth paying attention to instead of just driving past it

When I run into folks I always try to ask two things. What do you like about the videos? And what do you want to see more of? That second question is the one that really matters to me right now. I've been thinking a lot about where I want to take things, how to make the content more engaging, more fun, more something. I don't have it all figured out yet but I'm working through it.

So if you happen to bump into me out there — say hey. I'd love to grab a portrait, even if my framing is a little rusty. Have a great weekend everybody.

-Filmmaker Dave




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