Street roots., February 26, 2016, Page 10, Image 10

Street Roots • Feb. 26-March 3, 2016
News
Page 11
Doug
Street Roots vendor
Downtown Starbucks
I promised myself that I would never leave home without my
camera because I used to constantly miss the most interesting
scenes. Doug just made me remember why. It was a rainy day and I
was just walking around downtown, looking for a place to get a cup
of coffee, when Doug literally appeared in front of me, with the
biggest smile I’ve seen and said, “Here - why don’t you shoot this,”
while making a big silly face and holding an edition of the Street
Roots. The perfect guy in front of me, and I didn’t even have to get
over my shyness. I had a blast photographing this wonderful man.
PHOTO BY PEDRO OLIVEIRA
Street Roots Vendor
Downtown Portland
Sandra is a Street Roots’ vendor who I met a couple of months
ago. Always very polite and upbeat, what called my attention to
Sandra was her sense of style. She is often in my neighborhood and
every time I see her, she is wearing a different stylish dress.
Mark, now Phillipe
Downtown Portland, Burnside Street
I was passing through a park in the rain when I spotted Phillipe
lying under this tiny space which could barely fit his body. He
looked at me and smiled, and greeted me with a warm “Good
afternoon.” He was sharp, quick, wise, but there was something
else. Let’s just say he was a heavy dreamer.
I approached and asked his name. “It was Mark, now it’s
changing for Phillipe. You know, there are bad guys after me. But I
am a good guy so I would rather give up my name than my life.”
Fair enough. I thought.
Phillipe is 65 years old, and has been all over, including Vietnam,
and is “sort of” a war veteran, he said. We talked for a little while. I
normally would have asked him to tell me more of his story but the
rain got strong again, and now I am the one who needs to look for
shelter.
Pedro Oliveira is a Portland State University student. You can veiw
more of his award-winning series of portraits at www.vieWbug.com/
member/pedrontheworld.
PHOTO BY PEDRO OLIVEIRA