The Business Decision Print

Back in 2009, Joyo and I rolled into Bonneville like a couple of bad apples, dangerously close to spoiling the bunch. We barely made it out—hungover, dodging catastrophe and the law. But before we left…

“Hey, you see that flamed ’34? Your headache bad enough that I can’t stop and put it on film?”

Joyo grunted, and I yanked the rental into the pits. Hands sluggish, brain still drowning in last night’s sins, I fumbled with the camera. That’s when I heard the footsteps—quick, sharp, and coming in hot.

“Can I help you?” A man barked. “What’s your business here?”

My memory is hazy—exhaustion and dehydration will do that. But I do remember this: the guy was deeply concerned about why I was circling his Model 40 coupe like a hungry vulture. My lack of a business card didn’t help. And to be fair, I probably looked like a degenerate—sunburned, hungover, radiating bad decisions.

Thank god for Joyo. He smoothed things over, and next thing you know, we had the guy pulling his coupe into a better spot for cleaner shots.

Years later, I learned his name—Dave Mehelich. And now, here I am, selling prints of his old car. Maybe his paranoia wasn’t so unfounded after all.

I’ve been working on these prints for a while. Five of them—signed, numbered, printed on Ilford paper at 17 by 22 inches. They’re $65 each, which is a lot for something you don’t need… but I need more photo paper, so tough shit.