He cocked his head and gave a lazy grin. ‘It was an educated guess.’ He nodded towards the map in her hands.
‘Ah, my Paris street map with English words all across the cover,’ she said.
‘OK, busted. It wasn’t so much an educated guess,’ he confessed. ‘Are you sure you don’t want me to take your picture? I’m a street photographer. If you like what you see, you can go online and order some prints.’
She looked at the selfies on her phone and while they weren’t great and the idea of having someone take some half-decent photos of her was appealing, Darcie was certain she wouldn’t be able to justify the cost. ‘I’m sure. But thanks anyway.’
‘You don’t have to buy them. I don’t charge. It’s just to build up my portfolio, which I can show to paying customers,’ he explained. ‘I have a website and social media accounts. You can check me out. I’m not a fraud. I’m not going to do anything with your photos.’ He fished in his pocket and produced a business card, which he handed to Darcie. ‘Matt Langdon. Here, you can see some of the photos I’ve posted on my social media.’
Matt took out his mobile and showed his Instagram page to Darcie. She had to admit she was pretty impressed with some of the photos he’d taken. ‘And these are all just random strangers you’ve approached in the street?’
‘Yeah. I just walk around places and if I see someone who has a unique or interesting look, then I ask if I can take some pictures.’
‘And most people agree?’
‘Most people.’
There was that half-smile on his face again. Darcie was sure it was one he knew could charm people into agreeing to anything. In fact, she was sure she was already relenting. ‘You take good pictures,’ she said.
‘I just wanted to assure you I’m no creep.’
‘Consider me convinced,’ said Darcie, handing back his phone.
‘You have such an interesting look. How about I just shoot some pictures and show them to you on the camera? If you don’t like them, I’ll delete them straight away.’
‘You’re persistent.’
‘I just love street photography and I love studying interesting people.’
Whether it was the joy of being in Paris, the hot weather or just his obvious enthusiasm for his art, Darcie wasn’t sure, but she found herself agreeing. ‘I can’t afford to buy any,’ she said, thinking she might as well tell him straight.
‘You don’t have to. Like I said, no obligation.’
‘OK, just a few.’
He put his hands together and did a small bow of gratitude. ‘Thank you!’
Initially Darcie felt very self-conscious in front of the camera, but Matt had a way about him that put her at ease. He chatted to her and made her forget he was even taking her photo.
‘So, what are you doing in Paris?’ he asked as he got her to sit on the steps with the basilica in the background.
‘On holiday for a couple of weeks.’ Darcie glanced around at the passers-by and tourists and was reassured that none of them appeared to have any interest in what she was doing. ‘What about you?’
‘I’m here kinda on vacation.’ He fiddled with the dial on the camera, checking back through the lens every now and again.
‘Kind of?’
‘Yep. A working vacation, if you like. Right, just look straight into the lens. No, don’t smile. Rest your arms across your knees. Like you’re pretty bored.’
Darcie laughed and then straightened her face. She felt anything but bored. ‘Like this?’
‘Great. Hold it. That’s so cool. Now put your elbows on your knees and cup your face.’
‘Have you always liked photography?’ asked Darcie after Matt had shot several photos and was checking the screen on the camera again.
‘Yeah. My mom’s creative, so I guess I inherited that gene from her.’
‘And your dad?’
