It was the first show of the residency and I sat in a corner of Harry's dressing room talking to Lloyd his photographer. We talked about what shots Harry really liked, what he didn't. I was really happy Lloyd and I had different shooting styles because it would result in so many different shots to use for socials.
"So, is Harry always this.....unpleasant?" I said lowly, as I flipped through his work.
"What you mean? Hazza? Unpleasant?" Lloyd raised an eyebrow at me and I shrugged.
"I accidentally bumped into him in the hall the other day, and ever since then, he looks at me like I'm a pest or something." I smiled small handing him back his camera.
"Nah, Haz, he's just shy."
"Sure, if that's what you want to call it." I rolled my eyes playfully and he chuckled lightly.
"So, I'll send you some pictures and you can send me some too. That way we have a good mix." He said, changing out his lens.
"That's what I was thinking, we're going to have a good variety, I'm excited." I smiled and he did too.
"Hey Lloyd, you going to get some shots back here?" Harry called out to him.
"Yeah!" Lloyd said standing up, "Just wanted to make sure that Maia and I had different shot lists and stuff. Didn't want repeats."
"Not like it would compare anyways." Harry said looking back in the mirror and Lloyd's head shot back slightly, turning to me, an eyebrow raised.
I raised both my eyebrows, my face reading "I told you so" all over it. I took a deep breath and sighed, shaking my head a bit. I switched out my lens and fixed the settings for the room, starting to snap some shots.
—
Regardless of how Harry was acting towards me earlier, I couldn't lie and say his concert was horrible, because it wasn't. It was one of my favorite photography experiences I have had in a long time.
His energy literally radiated to every inch of the arena, and it just pumped Lloyd and I up further. I was thankful for the one or two times Harry actually played towards my lens giving me some really great shots to work with. I got some epic shots of the audience as well, catching every laugh, every tear and every wildly inappropriate sign I could find in the audience.
When the show was over, Lloyd and I walked back together exchanging cameras and looking at the pictures we caught.
"Oh my gosh, these look like they are going to be so much fun to edit!" I exclaimed. He was so good at what he did, I had to make sure to get every tip possible.
"Maia, these are great too! The ones were he played towards the camera, the angle, I need to try that! I bet he's going to love it." He looked at me and we exchanged cameras.
"Yeah, if you tell him you took the photo maybe." I rolled my eyes turning off my camera.
"You know what, edit that photo and I will. I love him, but let's put him in his place a little. Maybe he'll be nicer." Lloyd teased and I nodded.
"Alright, but if he gets mad, it was your idea." I said as we walked into Harry's dressing room to gather our things. I felt relieved knowing he went straight home after the show and I wouldn't have to bump into him again tonight.
I N S T A G R A M
@harrystyles
New York, Night One 🙏🏼
—
I woke up the next morning seeing Harry had posted the photo I took, but of course, he did not tag me. Lloyd had also text me after seeing Harry's post.
L: I told you he would like it. ;) AND I told him you took it.
M: Yeah, yeah yeah. He didn't even bother to tag me.
I put my phone away and got up, heading out to the kitchen to grab myself a cup of coffee. When I walked in my dad was sitting at the table on his two laptops and phone as always. The man didn't know how to take a break. I walked over and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Morning dad." I said walking over and serving myself some coffee he left for me, swirling in some creamer.
"Morning sweetie, how was the first show?" he smiled closing one laptop.
"Uh, it was good. Harry's a good performer, really fun to shoot." I smiled small taking a sip of my coffee, "Want a bagel?"
"Sure!" I felt him analyzing me, "Hmm, I thought you would be more excited. He was a poster on your wall for so long."
I shrugged grabbing the bagels and adding them to our toaster, "He is just, interesting. I don't know, my first interaction with him wasn't what I had envisioned meeting him would be."
"I thought he was rather nice actually. From what I saw anyways."
I leaned on the counter tapping my fingers on it. I bit my lips contemplating whether or not to tell him about our initial interaction knowing how protective my dad was.
"Did something happen?"
I shook my head deciding to not mention how rude Harry had been towards me, "No, I guess, I forgot he's human, you know. Can't expect him to be on always."
He nodded and I was happy to hear the bagel pop up in toaster. I quickly turned and prepped them bringing them over to the table then coming back to grab my coffee quickly before sitting down.
"Well other than Harry, can we talk work a bit?" He smiled small and I nodded.
"Sure. I started the mock up last night by the way, for the next few days. I also have the team posting stories. Yesterday they focused on all the photo ops. Tonight I want a focus on concessions, all the fun drinks."
He nodded, taking notes on his laptop, "I was thinking weekly recap reels? Like highlight each night."
"Dad! I love that idea, look at you, thinking like a social manager." I teased taking a bite of my bagel.
"Sweetie, it's marketing, I went to school for this." He smirked drinking his coffee.
We discussed a lot of work over the next hour. This is how most conversations went with my father. Business and very little pleasure. He was one of the hardest working men I knew, and I couldn't fault him for that. I just wished sometimes, we could have a normal father daughter relationship. Just sometimes.
—
I walked into MSG, early by some miracle and began preparing my camera, sitting on the floor outside of Harry's room. I was hoping to get some shots of him as he made his way inside. Fans really seemed to love shots like that.
I wiped my lens carefully, trying to decide between two. I placed on the wider lens, and as I aimed it up the hallway, Harry appeared at the end of the hall, seemingly making the decision for me. I snapped quick shots as he made his way over, even capturing his disappointment in seeing me.
Seriously, what the hell did I do?
Once he was close, I brought the camera down and looked over the shots I had gotten. He reached for the handle attempting to open it, and soon discovered it was locked.
"Kenzie probably hasn't gotten around to unlocking those yet. You're a bit early. I'll text her." I said, still looking at my camera as I pulled out my phone. I quickly unlocked it and text Kenzie.
I half expect him to walk away, but to my surprise, he took a seat against the wall, popping his AirPods in.
Him not leaving is progress right? Maybe I'm just a little pest today.
I pulled out my laptop and leaned against the wall, on the opposite side of the door that he was on. I had a couple more images to edit before I sent them over to my team and to Lloyd.
"Don't you have an office or something?" He said, looking straight ahead at the wall.
"No, I don't actually. My plan was to just work from here until I had to shoot sound check. I can relocate if you like." I said starting to shut my laptop.
"It's fine." He took a deep breath and raised the volume on his music.
I rolled my eyes shaking my head softly. I bit my lip as I continued to edit the photos from yesterday. I couldn't help but wonder where this Harry was. The fun playful Harry.
"What are you working on?" He said, breaking my concentration.
"Uh, editing photos from yesterday to send out to people. My team, Lloyd." I swallowed, feeling like I couldn't look up at him.
"Can I see?"
I looked at my keyboard, knowing well enough this could go one of two ways, but against my better judgement I nodded, "Sure. Do you have your airdrop on?"
"Uh, I think. Let me check....yeah, just turned it on to everyone."
I selected all the photos and airdropped them to him, suddenly feeling like I needed to hold my breath. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched as he scrolled through them, no expression on his face. He gave a simple nod, before closing his eyes and leaning his head back against the wall. He said nothing, and soon Kenzie was running down the hall to unlock the room for him.
"I'm so sorry! I didn't expect you that early." She smiled small and he waved her off.
"It's fine, you didn't know. Don't worry." I can't lie, when I watched him smile at her, I felt a bit envious that she got that side of him. Not the cold shoulder that he for some reason felt the need to give me.
He walked into his dressing room without another word to me and I could have yelled in that moment from how frustrated he was making me feel. I didn't even understand why I was feeling so frustrated. I didn't even know him, he didn't know me. He definitely didn't owe me anything.
Just as I was ready to start packing up, I got an airdrop back from him. One single photo, with no idea what to do with it. I bit my lip, running my fingers through my hair, before making an executive decision.
I opened up the Instagram app on my phone and switch from my main account to the MSG page. I quickly started a new post, added the picture and a quick caption. I pushed the post through locking my phone before I could change my mind.
At least I got something from him. It felt better than nothing.
I N S T A G R A M
@thegarden
spinning out waiting for night two 📡✨