I met John at a pub in Turners Falls, MA when I was 16 years old. We were both laughing at the antics of a couple of young drunk guys, and started talking. He saw my camera and told me I should photograph the two jokesters in front of us. I asked if I could photograph him instead.

He said “sure, but I won’t smile.” The drunkards must have done something funny, because this picture of him holding a cigarette is still my favorite genuinely happy portrait I have taken.