Neel505 - Removed

2023

G'ser, Sardunya, 2001

The Teacher

While drinking beer with two of the officers in a little Alsancak club, I met this young math teacher. She adopted me as a cultural orphan and included me in friend and family activities.

She would usually call at the end of the day, telling me she had found the best bar, show, music, or food. I always went along.

I lost contact with her after I returned to the States, though I think I have found her on Instagram.

Smiley

'ser was my guide to the Izmir music, restaurant, beach, and club scene. She got me out of my lonely apartment, which was where I wanted to hide after Kosovo.

I met her while out with some of the officers at a little club in old Alsancak. She was celebrating her graduation from college and the beginning of her teaching career.

She would often call about the time I was ending my day, saying she'd found the best food or music. I always went along.

I've lost contact with her but know that she's married and teaching in Istanbul.

Yankee Horse Ridge, about 2015

Zarah

This young lady was my daughter's college roommate and a frequent visitor in our house at VMI.

I took my first photo of her when she was 18. This was taken during spring exams while she worked at VMI. We snuck out of the office and drove up to the Blue Ridge Parkway for photos.

She was by far the easiest person I have ever photographed. All I had to do was push the shutter release as she moved effortlessly from pose to pose, pausing for me to hit the shutter. It was unlike any shoot I have ever done.

Two weeks later, her little sister came to town.

Envy the photographer.

Erin

For the rock-bottom price of "pose-with-my-car," I took this young Mary Baldwin College woman's graduation photos. She was happy with them, though I never found out if she used them.

It doesn't matter; I like them.

She's married to a great VMI man and naval aviator.

Blue Ridge, 2012

PBG

I've taken this young woman's photos since she was fifteen—proms, dances, homecomings, and such. During her high school days, she was always at our house on Main Street and the prettiest of my daughter's friends.

Her ice-blue eyes were beautiful.

I took this when she was about 28. It's one of the few photos of her that I still have, and that's a shame.

Her life has been tough. She should write a book.

Bess with Bee, Day One, May 2005, Logan Martin

Silverwood, 2003

Parade, 2005

Sevda, Divas Ajans, 2001

The Boss

During my third tour with NATO in Izmir, I met and photographed some of the sweetest and prettiest young women that I have ever met.

Sevda owned Divas Ajans, a modeling agency. I met her while two officers and I were playing pitch out on the First Kordon.

She put me and my camera to work photographing her models and events and helping her build her website. There were times she'd call while I was at work needing my help. I'd sneak out and grab my camera.

It was a tough job.

I'd love to go back and photograph her again, but that would be difficult—she's moved from Izmir and married with teen children. It's hard to believe that she is in her 50s and older than I was when we met.

We're still in touch on Instagram.

Berna, Alsancak, 2001

The Friend

Berna was Sevda's best friend and office manager. Since her chosen second language was French, communicating with her was difficult, but we made do using hand signals, my 5th grade French, and Sevda''s excellent translations.

I still owe her a tour of the churches in Izmir, reason enough to return.

She married a rich businessman and has a little boy.

Handan, Carnivale Club, 2001

The Singer

While walking in Pasaport, some friends and I met the singer Handan at the Carnivale Club. She was amazing, and though I couldn't understand much of what she sang, I loved her music.

I would go back often, taking friends along or alone just to hear that voice. I always brought her flowers from the çiçekçi outside the door. That's a very Turkish thing to do.

She began greeting me as I came in the door and dedicating songs to me.

She's very popular in Turkey these days.

I'm still a fan.

Listen

Burçin, Matisse, 2001

The Waitress

Directly across the street from my apartment was a little coffee shop. I planned to give it a try, but the pretty waitress working there gave me pause. Every time I returned home, she gave me what I took to be a disapproving look.

After a few days of this, I walked over and sat down at a sidewalk table. She smiled and said, "We have been wondering why you never came over for the best coffee in the city."

Matisse would become my favorite cafe—for the great coffee . . . and Burçin's smile.

Lexington, 2010

The Muse

For over ten years, this girl was my favorite photo subject. We made hundreds of beautiful photographs together.

She is certainly my most photographed subject.

Though this person is gone, probably forever, this photo remains.

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