As part of my camera bag gear, I carry a small photo album with me. The idea being that I can show pictures and share stories with my photography subjects at their location. The album always brings smiles!
A side benefit is that I also carry photos of myself in my little blue security outfit. When people get freaked out thinking that I am a pro photographer, I can show them my security job pic, which generally calms them down. That then gives me more opportunities to make photographs. One of the advantages of working as a guard for 30 years is that no one is intimidated by the job.
Two days ago I lost this photo album. I got back to my hotel and there was no album in my bag. Today at the dump it was returned to me by a large family who found it. I was photographing outside their home. I heard a bunch of GERRYs and Burmese talk. Then the album was handed to me. They must have found it on the ground somewhere in among the shacks.
