MEET VINCE
“If you look for a red car, you’ll start to see red cars everywhere. It’s the same with beauty.”
This is Vince.
I met him while shooting in Charleston a couple weekends ago. He saw my camera, came to say hello and we hit it right off. It started with tips on where and when to get the best photos around town, but eventually the conversation extended past photography; to travel, finding happiness, and to life itself.
It turns out that Vince is an award-winning writer and photojournalist. It also turns out that he's 'residentially challenged' (his phrase) living his life on the streets, currently in Charleston. He writes about that life and is good at it. His most recent essays include the award-winning "One Week in the Streets" about being homeless in Asheville, and the three part "Kindness of Strangers" series for Speak Up magazine. He still has an editor and is available for hire via email which is ParrishShumate@gmail.com.
He told me his favorite thing to do in Charleston is to dance in the crosswalks at red lights during Monday morning traffic. His hope is to put smiles on the faces of the drivers on their way to work. He even showed me some of his moves. As long as he gets out of the way before the light goes green, he's getting those smiles.
Vince made my day, like many others, and I’m hoping to return the favor. He doesn't currently have a phone but does have a CashApp card that works just like a debit.
His cashtag is $VinceShumate
I shared that cashtag along with Vince’s story and portraits to my Instagram in hopes that a few people would help me to donate, and they did. I matched all donations and made one of my own. It wasn’t a whole lot but I’m hoping it’s a nice surprise for him one day.
Thank you to the few that contributed, I hope one day the kindness of strangers comes back around to you.
Showing off his dance moves - horrible pic (caught me off guard lol) but it still captured some of his joy.
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