Then and Now
Chris Porsz is an incredible paramedic who spent hours on the street in the 80s following his passion for photography. He was a street photographer who took pictures of random people cleverly. At that time we didn’t know what he was up to, but 40 years apart, we are amazed at his plans!
Chris has gone to extraordinary lengths to recreate the images he took many years ago! Yes, he tracked down everyone from his photos from the 80s and 90s to recreate their look.
Then he decided to release this book called “Reunions” and we’re loving it! Here is a compilation of the best-recreated photos that depict a person’s journey 40 years apart.
1980 Ice cream
The little girl being served ice cream is Zahida Parveen. The man who went around in his ice cream van is Genesio Borillo who started doing this when he moved from Italy.
Popularly known as Gino, he was very fond of kids and so, loved to drive around in heated summers to serve ice cream.
2021 Ice Cream
Zahida, now all grown up, as you can see, stated that she was just 7 when this picture was clicked. She even remembered the flavor she used to buy from Gino.
She said, “I usually had a cone with strawberry drizzle and sometimes a chocolate flake.”
1987-2021
The siblings in the photo are Nathan and Lisa Yates who were just 2 and 3 years old when they were captured by Chris. They were out with their mom in a double stroller when this happened.
Chris also stated that after meeting them for the reunion, they were no longer strangers to him. He developed a bond with them and often meets for a quick chat.
1978-2020
The police officer in the frame is Jayantilal Kotecha who was writing a ticket on King’s street when he was clicked. He met Chris casually on the road while he was on duty.
Jayantilal recalls that “In 1978 the winter was so severe the roads were frozen and the diesel froze so there were no buses or cars. Out of 26 traffic wardens, my friend and I were the only two to turn up for our shift after walking several miles to work. I remember the working conditions were very strict, and we weren’t allowed to walk in pairs, not even to lunch.”
1981-2020
Chris met Howard and Sharon Marshall when they were shopping for their wedding ring. This encounter happened in Cathedral Square, Peterborough that year. The couple got married soon after.
They even had two babies in wedlock. Howard retired as an engineer after working for 40 years and Chris was a stay-at-home mom after she had her babies. What a happy story!
1980-2021
The two best friends Bashir and Abdul Karim were casually walking on Gladstone Street when they were captured by Chris.
Abdul was a worker at a local brick and paper factory back then and has now retired in Nottingham. His health has also deteriorated over the years but still, he was game for this reunion!
1980-2021
This is such a cute capture! Five friends are seen casually sitting with each other on Glinstones street. Namely, Nasar Ali, Ali Shaukat, Mohammed Shanawaz, Khalid Mahmood, and Mohammed Riza. (L to R)
Interestingly, they are still together and thanks to Chris, they managed to get together for a reunion. They must be so happy reviving the good old days!
1982-2021
These two brothers were quite naughty back then and loved to play on their neighbor’s wall. Chris liked it and thus, decided to capture them.
At the reunion, they posed the same way. Although they had moved from their childhood home, they still came back for the reunion!
1981-2020
Andy Ireland may have been captured like a street sweeper in this picture but he is not. He only dressed like this for a fancy dress competition in 1981.
As he grew up, he became a physiotherapist and even learned under Sir Andy Murray. At present, he lives in London.
1971-2021
You can now witness none other than our very own street photographer Chris Porsz in this frame! The beautiful lady is his wife Lesley. The picture was taken back in 1971 to capture their accomplishment of hitchhiking across Europe and North Africa.
They got back in 3 weeks!! They got married sometime after and had three children together. At present, they are just so happy with the fact that they are grandparents to seven kids!
1989-2020
Nothing much has changed about Paul Yates in all these years and that’s the beauty of it. He was a cleaner for the streets of Peterborough for which, he used the green machine for two decades!
Later, he retired with a pension in 2006. These days he can be spotted enacting the grand medieval battles in his free time.
1984-2020
Joe Wright was captured at the country and western show in 1984 with his pet owl – Rocky. Joe remembers that time, “We hand-reared several rescue Barn Owls and I’d take Rocky into town on my shoulder, which made people smile.”
At the reunion, Joe expressed how nostalgic he felt having an owl on his shoulder again. He has also got dogs, guinea pigs, and goldfish now.
1981-2021
Bernard, as seen in the frame, is a very jolly man. He was more than happy to recreate his picture from the 80s. Chris stated that meeting Bernard again was one of the most surreal and funniest reunions he has ever done.
He also recalls, “All thanks to Bernard who was a great sport and up for a laugh and to Vanessa and Jerry Rice at Four Acres of Thorney, near Peterborough who kindly provided 10-year-old Jessica.”
1980-2021
The man captured in the photo is Paul Smith, proudly flaunting this Ford Cortina in the 80s. He was a porter when he was captured by our incredible photographer.
Chris stated that the reunion was created with the thought to make the old one more colorful and vibrant. So, Paul posed in front of a neighbor’s car, dressed in bright hues.
