100 Strangers : No. 96 : Anna

My final stranger from Nottingham Pride is Anna, a transgender woman.

Just after I'd took some photos of my fist Pride stranger (Mel), I spotted Anna walking down Low Pavement towards the start area of the Parade. Anna's blonde hair and eye make up were calling out to be photographed, so I went over to Anna and introduced myself.

I explained the 100 strangers project and how it works and Anna smiled and said it was OK to take her photo.

I took some photos (of which this is one) with Anna looking down Low Pavement as I knew I could get some nice bokeh background behind her. I also took some pictures against the white wall of a boutique shop.

I showed Anna the pictures on the back of my camera and I was about to ask for the full back story to Anna, when I was interrupted by somebody.

"What's going on here?" he asked, directing his question to to both me and Anna. By the way he was talking I assumed he knew Anna.

"Are you together? Do you know each other" I asked him

"Yes" he said

"Oh hi" I said

"My names Phil, I am an amateur photographer. I'm doing a project on street photography that involves taking pictures of strangers and then telling there story. Anna has agreed to take part in the project"

I offer my hand. to shake his hand

"Who are you? What's your name?"

"Tony" he replied

"Do you want me to take a picture of you both together? That will make a nice picture "

Tony declined and implied it was time to go.

I offered my card to Anna and Tony, stating I would email the pictures to her if she contacted me.

Tony said that would be a nice idea , took my card and that was it, photoshoot over.

I shook both there hands and wished them a lovely day at Pride.

Later in the afternoon, I saw Anna in the crowds of the entertainment area of Pride, watching a singer do a "turn"

I smiled and gave her a nod and wave and Anna nodded back.

Thank you for being stranger 96 Anna, I hope that if you see the picture you like it.

This picture is number 96 in my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page

https://www.flickr.com/groups/100strangers/

My own strangers can be seen here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/57144254@N08/albums/72157657822400168

[Allison Williams]

I couldn't tell if Tony was feeling protective of Anna, suspicious of your intentions or just generally grumpy. It did seem like he shut down your usual extended interview which I'm sure would have been interesting.

[Beryl Lloyd]

You have captured that direct eye contact so well ! Tony sounds very protective of Anna or even jealous of the fact she is talking to another man !

[Nick]

Tony sounds like he was quite protective of Anna but I hope he wasn't too aggressive. Another great shot for your Strangers project.

[Lee]

There are people who just don't want their photo taken, it doesn't mean they're grumpy or unsociable. To them you're the stranger in your 100 stranger project. I like your approach and response in respecting their privacy.

[Dione Giorgio]

I'm not sure Tony was happy with you taking pictures of Anna. I hope that was only my illusion. Another beautiful portrait shot, Phil. Anna looks like she is a good make-up artist though I am surely not an expert in that.

[Kerri]

Awesome shot

[Phil Howcroft]

@kerristephens @sangwann @gamelee @nickspicsnz @beryl @allie912 thanks everyone for your kind comments on this shot. As strangers go I didn't get too much of a back story, but I did get an excellent street shot and stranger pic :) I didn't mean to portray Tony (anna's boyfriend )as grumpy