100 Strangers : Round 2 : No. 137 : Jenny by phil_howcroft

100 Strangers : Round 2 : No. 137 : Jenny

My second stranger photo from Nottingham Pride.

Jenny was standing in the transgender section of the Parade waiting for the march to start. I was introduced to Jenny by Simone. I'd photographed Simone 2 years before at Pride (more about that story later) and I had just took some pre pride photos of Simone. Simone said Jenny would make a good stranger so I explained about the 100 strangers project and Jenny said yes.

We walked over to the side of the parade and I asked Jenny to stand in some dappled shade. It was bright sunshine and windy on Saturday, so finding a location a few steps away from the parade start was a little tricky.

Jenny was very patient with me as tried about 3 different locations to avoid the bright sun.

I asked Jenny how long she had been Jenny. It was only 6 months , which quite surprised me as Jenny seemed confident and assured. "Even though it's inly 6 months I've always known who I was"

Jenny was holding the transgender flag and it can be seen on the left hand side of the frame. A google search states that the flag represents the transgender community and consists of five horizontal stripes: two light blue, two pink, and one white in the centre. The stripes at the top and bottom are light blue, the traditional colour for baby boys. The stripes next to them are pink, the traditional color for baby girls. The stripe in the middle is white, for those who are intersex, transitioning or consider themselves having a neutral or undefined gender. The pattern is such that no matter which way you fly it, it is always correct, signifying finding correctness in the lives of transgender people.

The photoshoot was a bit rushed as the parade was about to depart. There was a bit of confusion about the start time as it was brought forward to 11 am at the last minute due to roadworks on the march route.

I thanked Jenny for the photoshoot, We shook hands and off I went to find my final stranger before the parade started

Thanks Jenny for allowing me to photograph you

To find out more about the 100 Strangers project and see pictures taken by other photographers, look 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/phil_howcroft/albums/72157657822400168
Beautiful portrait shot, Phil. Jenny seems to have beautiful eyes to me - they would have looked much better if they were wide-open. Love the story, too.
July 31st, 2018  
Lee
Your approach to taking these stranger shots is great, chatting to you subjects seems to really lower the barriers and relax them, which encourages trust. As a result this comes over in your shots. Nice one Phil.
July 31st, 2018  
I never knew there was a special flag! A very nice photo of Jenny, great courage I think there.
July 31st, 2018  
Great portrait and a lovely story
July 31st, 2018  
@christophercox thanks christopher :)

@happypat thanks Pat, much apreciated

@gamelee thanks lee for your kind words on my 100 strangers. I think it is all down to showing respect to your strangers :)

@sangwann thanks Dione, for your excellent comment
July 31st, 2018  
Interesting story about the flag. You captured all Jenny’s confidence here.
August 1st, 2018  
I like the info about the flag and you do find some interesting strangers, Phil.
August 13th, 2018  
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