The idea of Parsel came from a conversation one shift with a guy in the RAF. He was telling me about his life and why he was in Cornwall. He spoke all about his job as a RAF surf instructor and then just casually brought up the fact he was in a bomb disposal unit in Afgan. This continued into a story about him and his team diffusing a bomb. I thought this is so cool that this stranger has literally walked into my life and now he’s telling me this story about defusing bombs in a war torn country. I knew as soon as he walked out the door, I’d never know his name, probably never speak to him again and possibly forget most of the conversion. I had this point and shoot with me (a Nikon TW 35 Zoom) that my auntie had given to me. So I asked if I could take this guys portrait, he seemed a bit confused but he agreed. After he left I wrote down parts of his story that I could remember to make sure I didn’t forget. I then started to recall the stories of past customers and how 90% of them I had forgotten, their names the stories and even to an extent their faces. 

I’ve never even considered starting a project like this before it just became a thing. I don’t ever claim to be a portrait photographer. I just have a camera and want to remember. Each interaction with I get to have with the people I got to meet whilst working is something almost indescribable. I’ve had people tell me all sorts of things from the ludicrous, to the down right heart warming. Once people are comfortable they will literally open up to you about almost anything. I would never expose what some people with what some people have trusted me with, proper awful things, but the fact is they got through it, and now they are stood here chatting to me in here in this shop. 

All because I gave them a Hello and a smile. Number of times I’ve thought wow if I hadn’t said hello to that person I’d never of found out anything, they’ve given me a part of their memories to share. I never forcefully ask “WHATS THE BEST THING THAT’S EVER HAPPENED TO YOU.” I literally just have a conversation, something that many people don’t do anymore. We find ourselves talking through boxes and screens, and I’m just as guilty as anyone. I have friends who I’ve not physically seen in years. But holding your head up and having the confidence to chat to someone can change everything, I’ve made people laugh, got potential photography job offers and, most importantly, made actual genuine friends all because I said ‘Hello’.