What are you photographing?!

I was out taking photos. As I walked through the streets, my attention was drawn to a shop that had been closed for a long time, its only street view being white shutters. It was clear they were preparing for the grand opening—there was still a lot to be done, from clearing electrical wires off the ground to arranging the decor and moving a few mannequins.

I stopped to take a photo. Shot after shot after shot.

From inside the store— which, in its current state, looked more like a wreck than a shop—I heard a faint voice. It came from a man who didn’t seem to have much authority:

“Miss, the store isn’t open yet, don’t take photos.”

As I kept shooting, I wondered what could possibly be wrong with photographing a few store mannequins in front of a shop that didn’t even have a sign yet, just a blank, white storefront like a giant whiteboard.

I had taken my shots and was about to leave when I suddenly heard another voice behind me. This time, it was from a man who actually seemed to be in charge. Stepping out of his car and hurrying toward the shop, he said,

“Let her take photos, it’s fine.”

I didn’t turn back. I just chuckled to myself, camera in hand, and kept walking.