Kimani

Meet Kimani Beard, a successful graphics professional and aspiring fashion designer. I had seen him before on numerous occasions but never found the time to say hello. Today on the way to lunch, I corrected that mistake.

Kimani was born in San Jose but has been raised, educated and is deeply rooted in Minnesota since he was a young child. He spoke highly of his years in our city but, when I mentioned Gotham to him, he understandably got a bit bendy in the knees. What designer would not?

Kimani was scouring Nicollet Avenue today with his Nikon and his iPod, taking architectural and street shots to use as inspiration for his work. At times and as it is in this image, his focus and his study took on the intensity of a hawk. But moments later he smiled like a child with candy and his animation came to life. As I watched him work the street, I swear he had helium in his heals and he moved with the elegance of a dancer on stage.

Kimani was nothing but classy and a most delightful person that we are both quite sure we will be spending spend time chatting again. A friendship was struck within moments.

This is one of the beautiful things about carrying a camera in the street. One push of the shutter and you are set into an undiscovered land.