Maggie and Gracie {Central Ohio Dog Photographer}

The sun was just rising over the fields as I left Columbus for Fredericktown and a pet portrait session. Maggie and Gracie's owner (mom) had decided on a beautiful spot at the Kokosing Dam for the session. The girls were such sweeties - just a few shots from that glorious morning!

Strangers 27-31 {31 Strangers in 31 Days}

This is the final post for the 31 Strangers in 31 Days Project. During this project, I met such a wonderful variety of people, & each one left their mark on me. This project helped open my eyes to new things around me, and it helped me get out of my comfort zone. I found myself opening up more & more as the project went on. Columbus is a large city & it seems everyone goes about their day quickly & often without connecting with others. And I must say, I was starting to be guilty of that myself. By doing this project, I made eye contact and connections with people again. And it leaves a really great feeling. I found myself smiling inside & out after each Stranger connection. I felt open to the world, others & possibilities. I think I will do this project again! It is fitting that my final stranger shots were at Hoover Reservoir on a beautiful autumn evening. I walk Maggie there most days & it is a place I love so much. So, now on to the final Strangers.

Meet Leo, Stranger 27.
He has always been single and lost his German Shepard in the past year. He walks at Hoover every day and enjoys seeing & meeting people while he walks.

Stranger 28 ~ Chris.

Chris was taking a bike ride and stopped to snap some quick shots of the dam and reservoir. He said the water level is the lowest level he has ever seen, but hadn't been there in a couple years.

Stranger 29 ~ Morris

Morris was taking advantage of the "golden hour" of light while photographing the scenery. He stopped for a moment for me to photograph him, but then went back to his shooting.

And Strangers 30 & 31 ~ Donna and Steve

Donna and Steve let me get a quick shot, and then we talked about the Strangers Project. The were the perfect strangers to finish the project with! We talked about the differences between men & women in being photographed. Me were always game, while women always seemed to be concerned with their appearance! We talked about how some people were so open to making new connections & friendships and how others were so closed. And we thought of ways to keep the strangers project going - Seasons of Strangers, etc!

So for now, good bye to the Strangers project. I am getting ready for the 30 Days of Gratitude Project to start November 1st. Stay tuned for more on that!

And so Maggie & I finished our walk at the dam on this beautiful autumn day.....

Stranger 26 ~ Brad

Disk golf. I don't play, but I enjoy watching, & hearing the clink as the disc hits its mark in the mesh net. I met Brad - Stranger 26 while walking past a disc golf course. Brad took a moment to give Maggie some love & then moved on to the next hole.

Stranger 25 ~ Michael

While in Northern Michigan, I met up with a photographer friend, Ken Scott, to do some shooting on the Elberta Pier during moonrise. I thought it would be a great opportunity to capture some more strangers for my 31 Strangers in 31 Days Project. I have to say, Michael - Stranger 25 was one of my favorites! Just look at that smile & mischief in those eyes! I wanted to adopt him as my dad!

Michael (ironically my real dad's name!) has been retired for 14 years from consumers Power Company, and does some consulting work. We talked about nature, fish, life and the Nature Conservancies in the area. He told me how the power company would donate land to the conservancies when it was no longer of use to them - a good thing as one of my favorite places to hike is Arcadia Bluffs CS Mott Preserve (land that was donated). All in all, it was a wonderful evening & a fabulous trip north!

Stranger 24 ~ Rick

Rick was on the Elberta Pier fishing for Coho Salmon with 2 friends. They were doing some male bonding & I think the fishing was secondary! Although from the look of the nets they were carrying, they looked pretty optimistic! Rick & friends were just hanging out & I sensed they wanted to experience to serenity of fishing.... so I left to find another stranger!

Stranger 23 ~ Randy

My 31 Strangers in 31 Days Project went to Michigan with me, where I found some interesting strangers. One evening I met up with a fellow photographer Ken Scott (Ken Scott Photography ), and we went shooting on the Elberta Pier. It was a nice evening & I was able to photograph 3 more strangers!

Randy (Stranger 23) was up with friends hoping to catch some Coho Salmon... but they weren't running in numbers at the time. He said he'd heard it wasn't going to be a good year for catching Coho. The fish were running late and just hanging around the entry to the bay. No Coho for Randy, but He was going back to town for some prime rib with friends!