I’ve been working on my street photography since 2008 and one of my goals was to capture photos of some of the city’s well-known characters. I got the idea when a friend told me he had seen photographs of some of the street characters, from the 1970s and 1980s, on a wall at a local office. These included some of the people I remember growing up. “Bucky King”, “Nina Watts”, “Ruby Red Lips”, “Farmer”, “Angus the Shoe-Shine Man”, and a few others. I’m a “Corner Boy” and grew up on the streets of St. John’s; these were the characters of my childhood.

I’d seen Tommy around for years, though I don’t know if he had any idea who I was. We got off to a rocky start, which, looking back on it, isn’t surprising. After all, it’s not every day that a man you don’t know asks to take your portrait. I try to make sure people can see me with my camera and maybe have some idea what I’m doing. I’d like to add that I’ve photographed over 2,000 people, practicing my street photography, and the experience has been overwhelmingly positive. I do try to approach this work with tact and respect and I think that helps.

Over the past several years, Tommy has become somewhat of a star downtown. One time, I was taking his portrait, a young woman walked up to him and gave him some “business cards” they had made up for him. It was a playful bit of fun. Other times, some young gals would stop to say hello. I also know of other young women who work downtown who look out for him. But the thing that struck me most was the time I was raising my camera to take yet another portrait of Tommy and I heard a couple of young voices in the wind, “I want to get a picture with you, Tommy!” It was the loveliest thing!

Speaking of Tommy’s Angels, Vickie Ivany contacted me looking for permission to use some of my photos in a collage picture frame as a present for Tommy on his birthday, March 20th. I was happy to oblige. So sweet of you, Vickie.