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!

Stranger 3 ~ Sally

I ran into Sally at Rife's Market in Grandview Heights. When my family first moved to Columbus many years ago, we lived in Grandview Heights. Rife's Market (circa 1936) was my Mom's favorite haunt. And after all these years it is still the same inside & out - it has a wonderful timeless feel. The great corn brought Sally to Rife's the day I saw her. She agreed to be photographed, but asked that she not look at the camera. Sally's husband, a painter, often takes photos of people for his painting without asking (much to their ire!). So she was appreciative of my asking first!

Pink Icing {Central Ohio Family & Child Photographer}

There is no better way to celebrate a 1st birthday than with a cupcake smothered with pink icing, your sisters & your mom & dad!! We had a fun time celebrating Jules first birthday at the Park of Roses!

31 Strangers in 31 Days {Columbus Ohio Fine Art Photography}

Like many of you, I go through phases where I am deeply ensconced in my comfort zone! But staying there too long can get me aching for something new & looking for a jump start to my creativity. Last year I did a photography project of shooting everyday things every morning (Year of Mornings). Some of my favorite shots from 2009 were taken as part of the Morning Project. So... this year I was inspired by Caroline & her 31 Strangers Project! So, I will photograph 31 strangers in 31 days!



Meet Strangers 1 & 2: Barb & Patsy

Barb & Patsy agreed to be photographed... as long as I shot them from behind - no faces! I saw them talking on a bench at Inniswood Metropark - one of my favorite haunts both for portraits & flower shots. Patsy had worked in a corporate wellness program before funding was cut. She is now a self employed wellness coach! Barb is in the health industry and had some great suggestions for future projects! They were both quite interesting to talk with!