Stranger 480 - Georgia [Alternate]

Walking down the path at Glastonbury Tor, I passed a girl with the most gorgeous red hair. “Too young, :-( ” I thought to myself; guessing her age to be anything between 12 and 16. For my strangers project, I have a minimum age limit of 18.

 

As I continued down the path, I felt a little disappointed. I turned and looked back up the hill, to see her and another young woman. They standing in the distance looking at the view, perhaps catching their breath.

 

I stood for a few moments, at a point perhaps a third of the way down the hill, then I decided to go back up. There was always the small chance that she could be 18 and if not I would get a bit of extra exercise.

 

They were sitting on the far side of the summit and I walked around so that they could see me approach.

 

“Excuse me, would it be OK to take your photo. I am doing a project to photograph people that I don’t know. You need to be at least 18?” I said hopefully.

 

“Yes”, she replied. “Yes?” I asked.

 

“I’m 19.” she said. “And you would like to take part?” I asked. “Yes” she said, returning my smile.

 

Georgia and her sister, Maddie, had come for the Glastonbury Extravaganza, which takes place this evening. They, like me, would be going to see Paloma Faith in concert.

 

The sisters laughed about Georgia’s youthful looks; Maddie told me that it is common, for people to think that Georgia is younger than she really is.

 

I asked if, when I had finished photographing Georgia, they would like a picture together. They thanked me and agreed enthusiastically.

 

Georgia works in a pub, I think. Or perhaps a bar. She is also an actress and has been touring in a production of “Fegin?” She likes singing, dancing and acting. Maddie said that she is really talented. “Aww, thanks”, said Georgia. “I’m your sister, I have to say that” said Maddie, kind of winking with her voice. I could tell that Maddie was genuine in her praise.

 

When it came time to photograph the siblings, they were happy to pose for me but as I clicked away, it seemed as though Maddie found it a bit odd. “It’s easy for you, your used to it”, she said. I imagined that she was talking about me, as I have been regularly photographing strangers for over 5 years. However, it was Georgia, that she meant.

 

After photographing the sisters, I asked if they would be OK to have a photo or two in the tower. The light is generally good in there. Maddie, said “you go”. Maddie stayed sitting, while Georgia and I went the short distance to Saint Michael’s Tower.

 

I asked Georgia if she was stopped a lot for photos. She said that she was pleased that I had approached her as she could do with a few head shots.

 

We rejoined Maddie. As I sat back, they were both concerned about where I was putting my arm. I wondered if perhaps there was a bee or wasp but I had just narrowly missed some sheep’s poo. I said that a bee would have been worse.

 

Before we parted, I asked whether there was a website for Fegin?, that Georgia would like me to link to. She gave me the URL for the production company Kickinthehead.co.uk. I had a look when I got home and saw that Georgia has the part of Nancy!

 

 

Thank you Georgia for being part of my project. It was great to meet you and Maddie today. Best wishes for your singing, dancing and acting.

 

 

You can view more portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family

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