#58 Museum of Broken Relationships

While people hunting on the streets of Covent Garden, we walked past the Museum of Broken Relationships. I was so fascinated by the name that I just had to go in. I had a quick peak around the exhibition and was really fascinated by the concept of possessions that reminds us of our past relationships. Maybe it's the soppy old me but I am most certainly going back for a second look. You can read more about the idea behind the museum here.

While there, I asked one of the volunteers working in the museum to pose for me. He is a student of psychology from France, who came to London for a couple of weeks to improve his English. He was the most patient guys ever happily chatting to us while I sought Emil's advice on the lighting. Thank you.

 

#52 Cigarette break

Another wonderful day on the streets of London. This young man was standing in the doorway rolling up his cigarette when I spotted him. He was keen to pose and was overall a super friendly gent from Covent Garden Ben Sherman store. 

#20 Musician

I stopped this young gentleman in the middle of the road even though I could see he was struggling with his bags. I just couldn't keep my eyes of the red case. I was fascinated with its vibrant colour in the middle of a rather dull road. 

As it turned out, he was on his way to a music competition. His band reached semi-finals and he was on his way to take part in the final round of audition in the hope of winning a recording contract. I felt bad for stopping him knowing he was carrying a heavy load but he was super friendly and chatted with us quite happily. I later posted his picture on flickr and one of my mates recognised him. They work together. London is such a small world.

#16 Skater boy

A few of you will know that I have a soft spot for skateboarders having taken my first lessons wearing flip flops from Rodney Clarke! In my previous school I ran a skate club allowing skaters a safe place to skate and helping disengaged students back into education. Check out the video about the skate club project I ran here.

Do you like the background? I saw this purple wall and started looking for a character that would go with it. I didn't have to look for long. Meet the skater boy. There he was on a doorstep of a skate shop in Covent Garden surrounded by his mates. He was happy to oblige despite the fact that his mates were mocking him. By the end of the shoot he laughed that he now knew how his mate felt. It turned out one of his mates there with him was the face of Puma in their 2010 advertising campaign. 

#6 Frank Raymond

Is it still street portrait if someone invites you into their kitchen?

Meet Frank Raymond, a head chef at Mon Plaisir. We were wandering the streets of Covent Garden when I noticed Frank standing in a doorway watching the street waiting for the dinner service to start. I approached him for a portrait, he looked at me, nodded his head slowly and asked me 'Where do you want me? Here or in the kitchen?'. Now when it comes to restaurants and kitchens, you don't need to ask me twice so I happily followed him into his den for a shoot. Does it still count as street photography? I'll let you decide.