Beast and the Beauty

The best and worst part of my job is getting to meet new people everyday.  I’ve met people that seemed to take the oxygen out of a room: suffocating, stifling, deadly.  Other days, I’ve met people that seemed to elevate anyone in that room, with their spirit, power, love.  While covering the Motor City Comic Con Friday, I photographed Thomas Spanos dressed as the evil Darth Bane complete with chilly demeanor.  Cool costume, that made a cool pic but to be honest, neither myself nor Mr. Spanos would probable ever think about the other again.  As I wondered around looking for another shot, I saw Spanos on his knees getting a ’high-5′ from 3 year old Sega Rylee Donovan, who was dressed in a wonderful homemade ”Super Girl” outfit, complete with cape.  After I got the shot, I noticed Mr. Spano’s face behind his mask; a huge, infectious smile, very counter-productive to the evil character he was portraying on the outside.  Sega did not fear this evil one; in fact, she said he was her new best friend.  After getting Sega’s name from her parents, I got down on my knees and asked her what her age was, in which she said “3″ and then promptly gave me a hug.  I’ll remember Mr. Spanos and his grin from behind the mask and I will also remember the day I got a hug from ”Super Girl” that made everything, a tiny bit better.