Deacon Robert - $2 Portraits - Jeff Marcowitz Photography

$2 Portraits

A street photography project founded in 2009 by Thomas Hawk in San Francisco. I joined the project in 2011 and it has forever changed my outlook on interaction with strangers on the street.

Michigan Avenue Chicago, IL When I first walked by, he was hawking for change. I was running late for an appointment and didn't stop. Returning an hour later, he was still at it so I approached and asked if he'd heard of $2 Portraits. He hadn't and after I explained, he said that $5 for a story and photo would be better. "I'm Deacon Robert, a man of G-d..." and then proceeded to recite New Testament scripture. I told him I'm an Old Testament guy to which he replied, "That's okay, G-d will tell you the right thing to do...". At that point, I agreed to $5 and we continued our chat. Robert is 74 years old, was born in Chicago and grew up in Hyde Park. He now lives in Maywood and has been a Pastor there for nine years. When I commented he didn't look like 74, he said G-d made him look younger...he didn't look this good when he was 65. We talked for a few more minutes and said our farewells. I have my doubts about Deacon Robert's story, but I don't feel bad about the $5 portrait, given inflation since the group began over 12 years ago. Sony A7 IV @ f5.6 1/125 75mm ISO 250 Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071 Photographed 11/10/22

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