In the Company of Strangers
Joe - Stranger #1 April 9/09 How can you not work up your nerve to ask a punk Easter bunny for a photo? While at our local market I spotted this rather burly gent complete with studs wearing aqua fluffy bunny ears on Easter weekend. I had to have a shot of this. Joe was very accommodating about it and posed easily. As it turns out, he's a pro photographer here in town. Who knew? Thanks for being my first stranger, Joe.
Alisa - stranger #7 I approached Alisa while she was enjoying a morning coffee with her husband. She was from western Africa. Her wonderful orange traditional dress drew me like a magnet. She looked so regal and was so animated in conversation. I only wish the shot was sharper. Lighting was terrible and the photo was rushed.
Mary 22/100 I spotted Mary walking along the street on her way to a local multicultural carnival supporting literacy and diversity. I think it's obvious why she caught my attention. Mary turned out to be the president of the African Students Association at our local university. Originally from Ghana, she is entering her 4th year of a political science/Spanish degree. She hopes to become an immigration lawyer. Wherever her future takes her, she will undoubtedly succeed. Her enthusiasm and smile are infectious.
Barber on Bay St. - Stranger #8 I pass this barber shop each time I go into Toronto. It has a wonderful vintage feel of a neighbourhood barber shop with tufted black barber chairs, old cabinets and a row of armchairs across the back. I've wanted to photograph the barbers for about a year. Finally I worked up the nerve to ask. His response? "Knock yourself out."
Preston - Stranger #24 I had an interesting lunch today. I'm still on half days so I stopped at our "trendy" downtown market to grab a bite and sit out in the courtyard to eat. A man was about to be interviewed by local media about the Mallard ducking that has imprinted on his terrier. A fox got the mother so this man took the remaining 4 eggs home. Two hatched and this little guy is the sole survivor. He's a week old today. As soon as it hatched the dog licked it clean and has been mothering it ever since. The Middle East could learn about getting along with one's enemies from this unlikely couple.
Yuki - stranger #10 Chopstick whip This adorable 5 year old came into my regular Starbucks early one morning with his mum. He hopped up on a chair with his hot chocolate, grabbed a couple of stir sticks and proceeded to enjoy the whipped cream with his improvised chop sticks. By the time I got mum's permission to photograph him, he was aware of the camera and the candid pose I'd hoped for was gone. Such is the downside of not so candid photography of strangers.
Stranger #25 - Michael Michael and his lovely girlfriend Emily were seated at our table this morning at a hospital charitable event I attended at which Lieut. General Romeo Dallaire was speaking of his experience in Rwanda and living with PTSD. A psychology/criminology major, he now works in health promotion but has a special interest in genocide prevention. He drove 2 hours to attend Gen. Dallaire's lecture at 7:30am. He was a delightful table companion with a great sense of humour and empathy. He and Emily were adorable together.
Ryan - Stranger #16 Ryan's sleeve caught my eye today so I stopped to ask him about it. He was standing outside a local tattoo studio having a smoke. He agreed to have his photo taken but requested that his face not be included. He's not wanted by the law, just doesn't want to be "out there". Fair enough.