Little wonder that photographers are instinctively drawn to the Porthcawl Elvis Festival, where an array of impersonators of different shapes, sizes and ages pitch up each year to compete and entertain. Many of the colourful characters who star in Graeme Oxby's excellent book The Kings Of England were photographed there - and it's also where Clementine Schneidermann first met John Paul, the subject of an image she recently discussed as part of the Guardian's regular My Best Shot feature.
The French-born, Cardiff-trained photographer recalls being struck by how seriously the young boy was taking the business of performing, and recounts meeting up with him and his family two years later on their dream Elvis pilgrimage to Memphis, where the picture was taken. A lovely image in which motherly pride meets pre-teen unease at public displays of affection, it's the sort of photo that illuminates the complexity of human interrelations and underscores the value of establishing rapport, understanding and trust with your subjects.
No comments:
Post a Comment