Ruby and I went into Nottingham this afternoon hoping to find strangers to photograph. We wandered around my usual haunts, I missed an opportunity only noticing a ladies fabulous piercings at the last minute as she walked by me. I took a few street shots outside an old pub, but didn’t find any strangers in the city centre. I decided to walk back to the car up Mansfield Road rather than via the tram line through Nottingham Trent Uni campus.
As I walked by a set of shops, I noticed some legs and elbows poking out of a doorway. As I got closer I noticed a lady having a cigarette and applying face powder make up from a compact.
She saw Ruby and smiled and said “awwww” to her
I told Ruby to “Say hello” to the lady, which she duly did and the lady gave her a stroke and asked me if she was a greyhound. “She’s a whippet, a little smaller”, I told her.
Meet Celine, who was taking a break from her job at a Chinese Noodle restaurant. The doorway / passage was at the side of the restaurant.
Celine told me she loved dogs and continued to fuss over Ruby.
Celine had an accent so I asked her where she originated from. Celine told me she was Hungarian, she had been in England over 11 years, which is the same amount of time we’ve been Ruby’s humans. I asked her if she missed Hungary and Celine told me England was her home and she was happy living here.
I then asked Celine if I could photograph her for my project, she said “Yes” and I thanked her saying it was very kind of her to let me photograph her. She seemed surprised that I was so pleased, “most people will agree?” she asked. I told her most people say “Yes” but it is always a privilege for me to photograph a stranger.
“With Ruby?” Celine asked.
“Just you first and then we do one of you both”
I photographed Celine, with cigarette in hand, without cigarette and then finally with Ruby.
It is a striking photo of Celine, which I hope tells the story of the above narrative. Thank you for allowing me to photograph you Celine, it was a privilege to do so.
Lovely shot, Phil. Celine has beautiful eyes which you captured perfectly. She also has a very friendly smile and you chose a great background for her portrait. You do have a way with women and a good idea to use Ruby as a lure. I enjoyed reading the story too.
Love this story….your portrait choices all seem to be so interesting & pleased to sit for you. Celine looks a happy worker, she has the name of her restaurant nicely displayed on her hat…great advert Celine! Love that she relaxed with her cigarette!
@alannahtoby thanks Suzanne for those really nice words. I love photographing and meeting strangers on the street, it is a great genre of photography , quite challenging but great fun
I missed this portrait and I'm late commenting. Celine's portrait is beautiful, in part because she is a gorgeous young lady and also because of your talent as a photographer. I'm impressed by your beautiful portraits!
@kwind thank you , she does
@busylady thanks judith , i am pleased you enjoy my strangers , I slowed down during the current Plan B restrictions !!!
@happypat thanks Pat, I just chat to people for the back story, which seems to relax them and make for a better photo
@delboy207 I agree Del, having different nationalities in our country, creates an eclectic and diverse society
@paulivaska thanks Paul , photographing strangers in the way I do is really great
@sangwann thank you Dione, always nice to read your comments
@casablanca thanks casa' i knew it was going to be a good shoot as soon as i saw Celine
@ljmanning laura that is really kind of you to say
@amyk Amy thank you so much for the wonderful comment
@marlboromaam she was indeed Mags
@frantackaberry thank you frances :)
@gavj thanks Gavin that is kind of you to comment