How Bob Almost Made the King’s Christmas List

How Bob Almost Made the King’s Christmas List

Bob didn’t know it at the time, but somewhere far from the streets of Toronto, in a much warmer and considerably quieter room, the King was looking at Bob’s photographs.

Not scrolling quickly.

Not skimming.

Actually looking.

The photos showed vendors leaning in to talk to customers, workers focused on their craft, crowds flowing through Christmas markets, and people caught mid-moment — the kind of moments that disappear if you blink. The King paused longer than expected.

Bob, meanwhile, was probably standing outside in the cold, waiting for something to happen.

The Year That Puts Bob on the Table

Bob’s name didn’t arrive alone. It came with a stack of camera club wins — street, people, workers, crowds, sports, Christmas themes — a quiet but consistent body of work that kept winning because it kept feeling real.

The judges had already said it:

“This feels like Toronto.”

Apparently, that sentiment travels well.

As the King moved through the photographs, something caught his attention. These weren’t posed scenes. No one was performing. The city wasn’t dressed up for the camera. It was just… living.

Bob had captured it exactly as it was.

A Very Close Call

Sources say the King leaned back.

He looked again.

He was almost ready to add Bob to the Christmas list.

Almost.

Not because the photos weren’t good — they were. But because Bob had achieved something dangerous: he made it look too easy. As if wandering the streets, waiting patiently, and pressing the shutter at the right moment was just something anyone could do.

It isn’t.

The pen hovered.

The list was reviewed.

And then, with a nod of approval, the King moved on.

Bob missed the list by inches.

Bob’s Reaction (Unaware, As Always)

Bob never knew how close it was.

There was no letter. No royal envelope. No official seal. But also no coal, no warning, and no note suggesting improvement.

Bob took this as a positive sign.

Instead of celebrating, Bob did what he always does — he went back out with his camera. Same streets. Same curiosity. Same willingness to wait.

Because whether or not a King adds your name to a list, the real work happens on the sidewalk.

And Toronto already knows the truth:

Bob is its Street Photographer Extraordinaire 

Almost royal, entirely earned, and always out there looking like a tourist