100 Strangers | 79: Chelsea @ 08:33:00AM, AIBF 2015 [EXPLORE 2015.12.5]

After photographing the morning launch of several hundred hot-air balloons, I departed from the grassy field and walked along Main Street, the giant pedestrian lane lined with vendors of food and event memorabilia. Eventually, I reached the children’s amusement zone. Along the way, I took some candid street photos. Then I encountered this subject and her friend; my stranger No.78.

 

This is Chelsea, my 79/100 strangers. She is 27 y/o and described herself as, "Intelligent. Likable. Funny." It was Chelsea's eye contact that triggered my approach for a voluntary stranger portrait (flic.kr/p/BbB9H2).

 

When I considered the two women, I was curious if they were sisters or just BFFs. They shared an obvious affinity: I noticed it with their similarly chosen dark plum lipstick shade and the similarity of their elongated oval-shaped faces. Chelsea confirmed theirs was friendship.

 

As with my earlier effort with Cassandra, I wanted a nip of context along with some sky for the portrait background. The blue sky didn't overpower her complexion and I was pleased with the outcome.

 

To view strangers I have photographed and to read the stories from the encounters, visit my submission to the 100 Strangers Flickr Group: flic.kr/s/aHsk9s8ZQb .

 

Images from all participants in the project can be viewed here: 100 Strangers Flickr Group page.

Done