Natalie Arber, The Man at Mermaids Cafe (PORTRAIT 2024)

Navigating traffic as we drove through Kapa’a Kauai, we came to a halt by the vibrant candy coloured Mermaid Cafe. The windows were rolled down to invite the seaside breeze and I called out to my family “Look how cute that cafe is!”. I was in full earshot of this kindly man who beamed as a smile spread across his face. He looked right and me with the camera in my hand, allowing me to capture his portrait in his environment he so obviously had poured his heart and soul into. Without exchanging words his contentment was clear as he thoughtfully decorated his cafe with beautiful local tropical accents like hibiscus flowers and coconuts; and it was obvious that his livelihood brings him great joy.

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