Strangers #5 - #12 {31 Strangers in 31 Days Project}

After I met Ric (Stranger #4) at the Lotus Pond in Goodale Park, I wandered further into the park where I saw a group of people with their dogs. Goodale Park is a bit of an informal dog park, where owners congregate & chat while the dogs romp! I had the good fortune to meet Strangers #5-12, who all happily agreed to be part of my 31 Strangers in 31 Days Project!

Strangers #5 & 6
Jack & Jason were there with their pup Kiki, who I believe was 10 months old. They agreed right away to participate!!





Strangers #7 & 8
Also in the group were Andi & Blair with their dog Atticus. Andy & Blair said people often mix them up because of their names, but Blair has the ball cap on! They have a wedding coming up!

Stranger #9

Rajesh initially was hesitant to participate in the project, but just look at that smile! He quickly agreed and began striking poses! Handsome guy!

Strangers #10 & 11

Kenny and Allen were a bit quieter - I caught them unawares! They were watching all the activity going on around them!

And lastly Stranger #12
Layla came to the park with her grandmother and was completely amazed with all the dogs! She was especially fond of Kiki, but made the rounds to all the dogs!


So, it was a very good day for the 31 Strangers Project!

Stranger #4 ~ Ric

I usually have Maggie May (my lab/greyhound mix) with me & it has been easy to talk to strangers & meet people with her. Doing this 31 Strangers in 31 Days Project has made me approach people with just camera in hand. And I was getting a lot of "nos". Columbus has gotten very large and I'm finding if you don't have a child or a dog, people aren't always friendly. I met Ricardo (Ric) at Goodale Park photographing lotus blossoms. After receiving 5 "I'd rather not have you take my picture", I saw Ric & knew a fellow photographer would be happy to participate in my "strangers project"... & he was! Ric, who has been married for 20 some years, enjoys wandering to various spots in Columbus to see what he can shoot. This beautiful Sunday, it was yellow lotus flowers. He was practicing his technique and composition. Framing is important he said. Ric has dreams of having his work appear on the cover of a magazine. The day I saw him, he was practicing shooting to leave enough blank space for a magazine title and cover articles. Ric - one day, I'm going to see your work on a magazine cover!