I started this series as we entered Covid 19 lock down in the UK in March 2020 and posted one image of a smile every day for 100 days on my Facebook Page.

The most memorable thing from any of my trips is always going to be certain encounters with people. Almost all the people in this series speak little or no English but the shared smiles are life-affirming. A general observation, just based on what are quite superficial encounters, is that many people who have little by way of possessions exude a happy persona.These photographs show the natural reaction of people meeting foreigners and to being photographed. 

In this time of a pandemic it should not be forgotten that it is the least well off that are less able to shelter from the virus, be it for physical or financial reasons. I particularly hope that the people depicted in my series and their communities have stayed safe.

This project has led to me showing images that would not have been shared otherwise. Whilst it was my intention to interrupt the general depressing content on social media with some brighter posts, this exercise has proven to be personally uplifting for me in my own isolation as I searched through my archives and relived these encounters. When my photography tours have returned to villages I have been able to take prints for people that I have photographed. This is always one of the most joyous occasions in my travels.

Thank you to all that have encouraged me with your likes, comments and private messages. Bigger thanks are due to all the subjects of the photographs who have expressed a warm welcome to a stranger with a camera who has entered their lives for the briefest of time. They have now played an unknowing role in providing cheer to many.

Click on the arrow on the right to see the images as a slideshow.