100 Strangers : No. 56 : Sue

I went to Northampton today to watch my team, Bolton Wanderers, play Northampton Town at the Sixfields Stadium, Northampton.

This is where I met Sue, stranger number 56 in my 100 strangers.

Sue was selling matchday programmes from a little booth outside the ground.

I approached Sue and explained my project and she was happy to pose for me.

I asked Sue to lean forward a bit as the booth had no back and the backdrop to the shot would have been people walking by and police offers.

I think Sue leaning forward has created a nice pose.

Sue started selling programmes this season and has previously been a matchday steward.

"I used to get cold in the winter while stewarding, so I have switched to selling programmes".

It was cold this afternoon and as you can see Sue is well protected with a matching scarf and hat, complemented by a thick winter coat.

Sue used to work in an accounts office for a brewery but is now retired.

"What happens after you have finished selling your programmes, do you go to the match" I ask

"I go home, I don't really follow the football"

"You are not selling many programmes Sue"

"I know, they have parked the away coaches in front of my booth, so people are walking around the coaches and missing me out"

At that point a young lady came and purchased a programme and also a club lottery ticket.

I showed Sue the photos and asked her if she wanted some copies. She said she would like some, so we exchanged emails

As for the match, the Wanderers continued their excellent form with a 1-0 win in front of 1200+ noisy away fans in a crowd of 7,018

This picture is number 56 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

[Hazel]

Yes, leaning forward was a good idea and this is a characterful pose.

[Ivan]

Such a nice lady, so well posed, Phil. fav

[Pat Knowles]

Sue looks a lovely warm lady, love her pose as if she's reaching out to you. I'm amazed that someone would opt to sell match programmes in the cold yet have no interest in watching the match! I think Sue is a people person, they should put this lovely lady on the front line! Nice one Phil!

[Lee]

She has a nice friendly looking face, I suspect you've seen her and thought, she won't mind me asking. A good shot Phil.

[Al Bailey]

The pose really does add a lot to this lovely photo :)

[Dione Giorgio]

Huge fav. This looks such a pretty lady and she gave you the best pose you could expect from a professional. Love your story and well done to Bolton. Malta has had the worst rating ever this year.

[Beryl Lloyd]

Such a friendly caring face and a beautiful gentle smile You captured her in such a lovely unassuming pose -- beautiful and a fav ! ( and a follow ! )

[Phil Howcroft]

@beryl beryl, thank you for your very kind words :)

@sangwann thanks dione, I always look forward to your comments on my pictures :)

@willowdragon thanks Al, the pose works well :)

@gamelee thanks , you are right lee :)

@happypat I think you are right Pat, Sue would make a good "front of house" person :)

@ivan thanks for your support and comments ivan

@quietpurplehaze cheers haze, i spent quite a few minutes with sue taking shots from a few angles :)

[Constance Brinkley]

You are really good at shooting portraits Phil. Great shot.

[Jen Hudson]

Yes a great pose. Love her friendly looking expression, you have captured her well.