GORDON LIGHTFOOT | Culture
CHERRY PICKED CONTENT
A Lower Hutt man has again been lovingly deployed to Upper Hutt’s Aston Norwood Gardens, tasked with capturing his girlfriend’s seasonal social media content under the cherry blossoms.
Twenty-four-year-old Ben Radcliffe arrived early on Saturday morning, faithfully carrying an expensive Canon camera, tripod, and tote bag containing various outfit changes for his girlfriend, Olivia. Locals said he looked “like a man who had been briefed extensively.”
“She said the lighting’s best before ten,” said Ben, straightening his girlfriend’s floral dress between takes. “I didn’t really know what that meant, but I’ve been trying to keep her in good light since we got here.”
Olivia was seen at the gardens striking a series of poses among the pink blossoms while Ben crouched, adjusted settings, and nervously asked if she wanted portrait or landscape.
“She hasn’t smiled at him once,” said one onlooker, “but he looks hopeful that maybe, when he gets the perfect shot, she’ll say something nice.”
Aston Norwood’s Cherry Blossom Festival attracts hundreds of couples every spring, many of whom seem to share a similar dynamic — the woman in full command of vision and angles, and the boyfriend operating like a quiet production assistant.
“I don’t mind, honestly,” Ben told reporters, balancing the tripod on a slope. “She says I’m the only one who gets her angles right, so that must count for something.”
After an hour of shooting, Olivia reportedly told Ben that the photos were “fine, for now,” before instructing him to grab some behind-the-scenes footage for her story.
By mid-morning, Ben was spotted smiling quietly to himself, muttering that maybe he’d earned a “thank you” this year.
“I think we got some great shots,” he said, brushing blossom petals off his hoodie. “She might even tag me this time.”
More to come.
