Unfortunately, my group photo skills or just photo skills in general really declined on the last day.
Therefore, I think now is the perfect time to introduce our (my) photography hero of TTT: Manson!
He is the most energetic and willing and spirited photographer I’ve ever met. I have nothing but kind words to and about this guy.
Manson and his buddy Johnny travelled around with us, hauling these bricks of film equipment and trying to capture every single shot of every single TTT moment.
Johnny was the videographer of the dynamic duo, so his job called for more still and meditative postures for steady shots. Props to his sinewy man arms for holding up that ten ton photo box for overhead clips.
Manson had more of a… running man requirement ha ha. He was in charge of both zoomed out group pictures and close up personal pictures, which entails lots of running around. Not that that ever slowed him down.
Since day 1, we would watch his lovely locks bounce up and down, left and right, as he hopped around and flashed his lenses from the back of the room–ah no, front of the–wait, I swear he was right next to–nope, there he is, storming the center stage by the podium.
This one man provided enough energy to rejuvenate all 300 of us. The only thing that had more energy than he did was his camera battery. I swear, that man had some sweet photo tech in that mysterious (and probably super heavy) black equipment bag of his.
Whenever it was time for us to get in picture position for group photos, you’d hear scattered moans and groans. It got to a point where we would just let out a collective cloud of sighs when someone brought out the megaphone to call for group pictures.
But you know, Manson was somehow able to turn something annoying and troublesome to still end up being fun and slightly enjoyable. I really appreciated that.
It takes a good bit of time for everyone to pile out of the multiple buses, do a head count, and line up in order of group numbers with our leaders. By the time the leaders got us in group photo position, we’d already be hot and sweaty and grumpy and honestly a little pissed.
Enter Manson.
Hair and hands waving around wildly, he’d shout out pep words, alternating between:
- “huLLOOH!”
- “oOHkAY!”
- “YEH!”
- “GOOD!”
His excitement for something so ordinary was so infectious. That was what really made the picture. You can’t help but want to vibe with the guy.
He was really friendly to me and he took lots of shots of me posing with my stupid peace sign. That was great as well. Hopefully I made it into the end-of-the-program slideshow.
Also, I remember the first time I formally introduced myself.
When we went to the glass museum, Manson offered to take a picture of someone at the kaleidoscope photo op. No one stepped up to the plate, so I just squeaked out a “me!” and then:
And I wanted to take one of him in return. He got all shy and humble mumbled something like, “oh no es ok” and “why would you need a picture of the photographer” and I was very “??! pass me the camera?? pose in front of the kaleidoscope pls?? I will make u look cute.”
So he did.
It did come out cute, and I suggested that he include selfies with us as the trip progresses.
To which he just replied with some more humble mumbling.
I’m not sure whether he took my advice into account, but:
You blocked out your own face, buddy, kinda defeats the purpose of a selfie.
A for effort.
Anyway, from one memory catcher to another, thank you for all your hard work.
Jocelyn Plays 