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Over 70 and big online: how my stepfather joined the ‘oldfluencers’
A chance meeting led James Howard-Johnston to become an Instagram sensation at 81. It turns out age is no barrier to slaying online, says Candida Crewe
Candida Crewe; her stepfather James Howard-Johnston, 81
ROBERT WILSON FOR THE TIMES; CHRISTOPHER WARD/@MODELSTRANGERS
The Times
A few weeks ago my beloved stepfather, James Howard-Johnston, took the train from Brighton to London for the book launch of a friend. He arrived at Westminster a little early and was strolling near the river when he heard a voice behind him telling him he was looking smart.
The amiable fellow who stopped him said he was a photographer and asked if he might take some portraits of him. He explained that he takes pictures of interesting-looking people of all ages and types on the streets of London, Dublin and Belfast for an Instagram account he started in July called @modelstrangers. Recently James had been scammed on the telephone and may have been on high alert, but he trusted this man instantly.
Gloriously,
