Official Blog of Darren Bowen Photography
Meeting the Toys of Childhood Memories
Let me take you back to the small years of my life; We were on the London Underground (Chalk Farm on the Northern Line), and Mum was taking us home after spending the day with my grandparents. I was holding my smokey the bear close; life had been a rollercoaster, and I missed my Dad badly. We had just gone down the escalator to platform 2, and I suddenly screamed to Mum, “Where is Smokey?” We rushed back to the lift; he was long gone!
A few years later, when I was about 5 or 6, Mum found a stuffed knitted clown from the Spastic shop in Dartford, near London. CLOWN was the essential and critical part of my childhood and some grown-up nights, and this time I wasn’t going to let him getaway. He is still in my life 50 years later; I gave “Clown” to my Son Michael when he was about 3 or 4, but even during these times, I could hug clown and find myself lost in time.
Santa’s Toy Workshop Portrait Events
Book early and experience the magic and happiness that Santa brings and join us for a once in a lifetime exclusive Christmastime experience and have your children’s 2020 Christmas portraits taken with one of the world’s top Santas.
Dec 06 2020 (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Fish Market Bar & Grill
990 Market St, Fort Mill, SC
So one might think that I’m all about just going to find a few new toys from here and there and fill Santa’s toy shop with a random but impressive selection of toys. I don’t think so!
Let’s meet the unique toys that will help us raise money for childhood cancer and ultimately support Santa in his toy workshop this year.
Carrot Joe
Laura Ruby
Woody Star
Ever tried to get toys to behave for just a couple of minutes? I wanted to capture their photo and interview them about their story, not easy! They just wanted to play and generally jump all over the furniture. We eventually all settled down and talked. It’s fascinating to hear the toy’s stories and how they help Santa in his Workshop. Let’s meet Carrot, Laura, and Star!
CARROT JOE
What a guy! Carrot struggles with only being with his friends’ when it is cold and mostly just once a year. Despite the harsh reality of life, he cannot be more excited when he plays with his friends and loves to dress up in silly hats and scarves. His favorite things are strawberry snow cones and loves to help Santa each year with hitching up Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Dasher, Dancer Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen.
Laura Ruby
As you can imagine, Laura is surrounded by friends and her social calendar, but always finds time to keep the toy workshop ship-shape and running efficiently. Her favorite clothes to wear this year was her pink and white polka-dot spaghetti strap boho with a yellow summer hat. Laura enjoys life and is dedicated to improving those around her and ends each year, supporting Santa in the workshop entertaining the children.
WOODY STAR
Woody is the local vegetable market stall owner; his nickname is Benny. To this day, nobody has ever been able to find out why? Benny prides himself on the best carrots in the area, and sometimes you will find him picking a choice carrot and putting it on for fun. His favorite thing is the railroad and often tries to convince Santa that he should trade his sleigh for a classic steam locomotive. Definitely the joker of the pack.
Santa’s Toy Workshop Portrait Events
Book early and experience the magic and happiness that Santa brings and join us for a once in a lifetime exclusive Christmastime experience and have your children’s 2020 Christmas portraits taken with one of the world’s top Santas.
Dec 06 2020 (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Fish Market Bar & Grill
990 Market St, Fort Mill, SC
Author & Photographer Darren Bowen
I have found myself creating the most amazing and stunning photography and sometimes I have no idea from where it comes; I just use the most basic of photography equipment, it’s incredible. Some have said to me that the sweetest and most beautiful sounds created from a second-hand guitar are not from the hands of a musician but from the passion and creativity of an Artist.
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Beautiful and imaginative writing! I adored the names of the toys and your childhood toy remembrances.