So... is the ferocious dog picture throwing you? Is that a scary looking dog or what? Well...
not according to Peter O'Grady, Peter thinks he "is cuter than a bug's ear". Our shoot was not with out adventure, while shooting on this porch, Peter and his dog came out to see what we were doing. Peter was an older man... weathered and worn with eyes the palest blue. He wore army beige and green over his tattooed skin and his breath smelled of cigarettes. I showed Peter the pictures we took on his porch and when I had finished he asked if I would do him a favor. Peter wanted a picture of his dog. I snapped a couple, shuck Peter's hand and intended to be on my way. Peter had something else in mind... he was happy to have some company and was wanting to take full advantage of it.
"Do you have 5 minutes?" He asked.
"No, but I will give you 2." I replied.
Before I could even comprehend what I was doing I found myself following Peter and his dog into his apartment. The only light was the low sun barely pushing it's way through the window, the sparse furniture was sprinkled with clothes, used dishes and empty cans. Peter lead us a few steps to the north wall that was covered with framed letters, certificates and an old picture of a soldier (I remember the same kind of creamy photos of my grandparents). He had rigged a reading lamp to a back of a chair to shine up on the wall so the letters could be read. Peter asked me to read a letter written to him from President George Bush aloud because as he said he "get's too emotional". When I finished he asked me to read two more... I had to decline, I was after all on a photo shoot and the sun was setting. But when I looked into those icy blue eyes they were filled with tears, tears of a very lonely man. He stole a few extra moments showing us his father's purple heart and a photo of him kissing the Stanley Cup. I gave Peter a hug and assured him that I would be back with the picture of his dog, and left. When I got in the car and drove home, I heard that still small voice say... "Cija, what are you going to do about Peter O'Grady?" And so the question has followed me since that night, what I'm a willing to do about Peter O'Grady?
Will I simply return with his picture and leave or will I be willing to be his friend?
Stephen Tomczyk
So... is the ferocious dog picture throwing you? Is that a scary looking dog or what? Well...
not according to Peter O'Grady, Peter thinks he "is cuter than a bug's ear". Our shoot was not with out adventure, while shooting on this porch, Peter and his dog came out to see what we were doing. Peter was an older man... weathered and worn with eyes the palest blue. He wore army beige and green over his tattooed skin and his breath smelled of cigarettes. I showed Peter the pictures we took on his porch and when I had finished he asked if I would do him a favor. Peter wanted a picture of his dog. I snapped a couple, shuck Peter's hand and intended to be on my way. Peter had something else in mind... he was happy to have some company and was wanting to take full advantage of it.
"Do you have 5 minutes?" He asked.
"No, but I will give you 2." I replied.
Before I could even comprehend what I was doing I found myself following Peter and his dog into his apartment. The only light was the low sun barely pushing it's way through the window, the sparse furniture was sprinkled with clothes, used dishes and empty cans. Peter lead us a few steps to the north wall that was covered with framed letters, certificates and an old picture of a soldier (I remember the same kind of creamy photos of my grandparents). He had rigged a reading lamp to a back of a chair to shine up on the wall so the letters could be read. Peter asked me to read a letter written to him from President George Bush aloud because as he said he "get's too emotional". When I finished he asked me to read two more... I had to decline, I was after all on a photo shoot and the sun was setting. But when I looked into those icy blue eyes they were filled with tears, tears of a very lonely man. He stole a few extra moments showing us his father's purple heart and a photo of him kissing the Stanley Cup. I gave Peter a hug and assured him that I would be back with the picture of his dog, and left. When I got in the car and drove home, I heard that still small voice say... "Cija, what are you going to do about Peter O'Grady?" And so the question has followed me since that night, what I'm a willing to do about Peter O'Grady?
Will I simply return with his picture and leave or will I be willing to be his friend?
http://3wishesphotography.blogspot.com/2012/06/senior-pictures-in-castle-rock-co.html
Click here to see grainy photo of Pete: http://yourhub.denverpost.com/castlerock/just-guy-and-his-dog/DCAfLqiPbnjf1a9qBzmCUP-ugc
Philip Parrinello
I was very sorry to hear of Pete's passing. I have talked to him several times after I
found out his phone number. It was sad to talk to him because you could tell he was
not in the best of condition. I wanted to get out to see him when we visited our son in
Colorado but we haven't been out there in a few years. It was great knowing Pete
and we had many many good times in school.
I was in the old school neighborhood
last week and it was not the same as I remember it,
Rest in Peace Pete. I hope to see you again someday
Be safe always
Phil Parrinello
Ben Jozefowicz
Phil,
It was so very kind of you to share your sentiments about Pete's passing.
I'm constantly amazed how close we got to each other in those four short years.
Ben Jozefowicz