If you’re a regular reader of Street Roots, you’re familiar with the gorgeous portraits of vendors we feature each week on Page 2.
The man behind the camera is Alan Borrud, a career photojournalist with three decades of experience. Several years ago, he joined the Street Roots team to create these personal portraits of vendors.
Three or four times a year, he comes to the Street Roots vendor office and sets up a mini-studio in the middle of the vendor space. Vendors volunteer to be photographed, and Alan shows each subject the results.
“It’s a cooperative effort,” Alan said. “The most truthful photos are. They give me something, and I try to give something back, which is a photo they feel good about.”
Alan said he tries to honor the vendor’s sense of dignity, and to honor the moment of that brief relationship. It’s a fun morning for the whole office. Some vendors have had their portrait taken several times, each providing a comment about Street Roots for Page 2.
“Everybody wants to feel recognized a little bit,” Alan said.
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This article appears in 2019-12-06.