Saturday's assignment was this: go out there, into the street, and take portraits of people you don't know.
Talk to them. Photograph them.
Talk to them. Photograph them.
I was anticipating resistance. Both from myself in the discomfort of an unsure social scenario, as much from the folks I was asking to snap portraits of. But I found neither. People were amazing. Each of them took the time to talk with me, allowed me to graciously photograph them, and in doing so offered a point of conversation and connection. My hesitation quickly faded. This was different than anything I have used my camera for in the past. This was shooting people as they were - as my perceptions see them to be in the world. This was an afternoon of talking to strangers, of sharing little moments with new friends, telling stories, and in some instances, exchanging contact information.
Thank-you to the lovely faces below for sharing a part of yourself with me.
This is Tim. He's Irish. He plays a mean harmonica. And has the kindest blue eyes.
Thank-you to the lovely faces below for sharing a part of yourself with me.
This is Tim. He's Irish. He plays a mean harmonica. And has the kindest blue eyes.
John was curious, with of all the people hanging out downtown on a Saturday afternoon, why I had asked him for a photo. I told him I liked his bike. His response to this was a story, telling me how he had owned this yellow beauty since he was 13 years old.
Meet Ron, a coast Salish artist who makes and sells art near Robson Square each Saturday. Stop in and say hi.
This is James. He was putting in a long day of work to keep the food cart crowds happy and well fed.
These four were a group of German friends temporarily living in Portland. They had come to Vancouver for a weekend visit and were scouting out the city on bikes.
I regret that I didn't grab this guy's name. But he was as friendly as his dog and the two of them were enjoying the Saturday sun.
A friendly Montrealer, visiting a friend in Vancouver for the weekend and filling up on street-side hot dogs.
Adam is a photographer and gifted creative with an upcoming exhibit at the Beaumont Studio on February 20th - check out his work!
And this is Ivan. A musician and sound engineer who also happens to be a very cooperative model.
A huge happy birthday to this guy who was waiting for some pals to join him downtown to start celebrating his bday.
As I was about to pack it in I saw this colourful crowd. Yes, a gang of unicorns. They all proved to be good sports at the request of a friend asking everyone to come dressed like unicorns for a birthday celebration.
This is the most fun I've had with my camera in a long time.
The human beings we walk by each day are so interesting, so beautiful.
I challenge you, get out there, find more ways to talk to strangers.
The human beings we walk by each day are so interesting, so beautiful.
I challenge you, get out there, find more ways to talk to strangers.