776/800 - Lindsay
I was walking my bicycle along Toronto’s Queen Street West, known as the “Fashion District” because of the multitude of trendy and funky clothing, tattoo, and vintage shops. I saw this young woman flanked by four or five friends and she jumped right out of the group because of her placid, youthful look and outfit. I smiled as I walked past, thinking that she would be too young to invite to the project but when she noticed me noticing and returned my smile I turned on my heel and introduced myself and the project and said “but you have to be 18 to participate and you might be too young.” “No, actually I’m 18” she replied. “Could you spare about five minutes to participate?” I asked. She looked to her friends who were ok with it. Out came my contact card and we shook hands. Meet Lindsay.
I quickly thought about location and realized I’d seen a painted laneway about three or four stores back and suggested that as a location with sheltered light and an interesting background. I invited the group to come along if they wanted because I was worried that Lindsay might be uncomfortable being dragged into a littered alley by herself but they opted to hang out at the mouth of the lane near the sidewalk and observe.
I thought Lindsay’s soft look and light colors would work best against a portion of the wall that was in black and white rather than against the wild brightly-colored section and positioned her accordingly. At this location I was also able to make use of some light being reflected off the facing wall. She was happy to follow my suggestion of removing her small backpack and cream colored jacket.
Lindsay had a beautiful smile but the initial frames looked a bit too much like “smile and say cheese” but she settled into the soft, natural smile you see here. I asked if she could give a “pensive” look for one photo and once I explained the term as “thoughtful” she gave the expression in the comment photo. Finally, I wanted to capture her unique outfit which required me backing away down the lane to get the shot. It also involved our having to dodge a car which decided to come down the lane just then.
Lindsay is a born-and-raised Torontonian who is still attending high school. Her interest is (not surprisingly) fashion and she would like to be a fashion designer in the future. When I asked if she’d designed her attractive one-piece outfit she said “No. I don’t know how to make patterns yet but I hope to learn.” I complimented her on her look. She and her friends were on their way to a “pop-up” clothing display down the street which was going to be using a storefront to display a new line of clothing. After exchanging contact information and thanking her friends for waiting so patiently, I promised to send Lindsay her photos which pleased her. She was impressed when she saw them on my camera display. Sweet and innocent are words which come to mind in describing what Lindsay was like. Rachael's Peter Pan reference in the comments below is very fitting. Meeting her was a delight.
Thank you Lindsay for taking a few minutes to meet and for participating in 100 Strangers. You are #776 in Round 8 of my project. I wish you success in school and I hope your fashion design dreams come true in the future. (Meanwhile, you might keep an open mind about a modelling career!)
Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by the other photographers in our group at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page.
Follow-up: I got a very nice note from Lindsay thanking me for the photos and commenting on what a beautiful project this is. She encouraged me by wishing me all the best. I was pleased but not surprised because she was such a nice person.
776/800 - Lindsay
I was walking my bicycle along Toronto’s Queen Street West, known as the “Fashion District” because of the multitude of trendy and funky clothing, tattoo, and vintage shops. I saw this young woman flanked by four or five friends and she jumped right out of the group because of her placid, youthful look and outfit. I smiled as I walked past, thinking that she would be too young to invite to the project but when she noticed me noticing and returned my smile I turned on my heel and introduced myself and the project and said “but you have to be 18 to participate and you might be too young.” “No, actually I’m 18” she replied. “Could you spare about five minutes to participate?” I asked. She looked to her friends who were ok with it. Out came my contact card and we shook hands. Meet Lindsay.
I quickly thought about location and realized I’d seen a painted laneway about three or four stores back and suggested that as a location with sheltered light and an interesting background. I invited the group to come along if they wanted because I was worried that Lindsay might be uncomfortable being dragged into a littered alley by herself but they opted to hang out at the mouth of the lane near the sidewalk and observe.
I thought Lindsay’s soft look and light colors would work best against a portion of the wall that was in black and white rather than against the wild brightly-colored section and positioned her accordingly. At this location I was also able to make use of some light being reflected off the facing wall. She was happy to follow my suggestion of removing her small backpack and cream colored jacket.
Lindsay had a beautiful smile but the initial frames looked a bit too much like “smile and say cheese” but she settled into the soft, natural smile you see here. I asked if she could give a “pensive” look for one photo and once I explained the term as “thoughtful” she gave the expression in the comment photo. Finally, I wanted to capture her unique outfit which required me backing away down the lane to get the shot. It also involved our having to dodge a car which decided to come down the lane just then.
Lindsay is a born-and-raised Torontonian who is still attending high school. Her interest is (not surprisingly) fashion and she would like to be a fashion designer in the future. When I asked if she’d designed her attractive one-piece outfit she said “No. I don’t know how to make patterns yet but I hope to learn.” I complimented her on her look. She and her friends were on their way to a “pop-up” clothing display down the street which was going to be using a storefront to display a new line of clothing. After exchanging contact information and thanking her friends for waiting so patiently, I promised to send Lindsay her photos which pleased her. She was impressed when she saw them on my camera display. Sweet and innocent are words which come to mind in describing what Lindsay was like. Rachael's Peter Pan reference in the comments below is very fitting. Meeting her was a delight.
Thank you Lindsay for taking a few minutes to meet and for participating in 100 Strangers. You are #776 in Round 8 of my project. I wish you success in school and I hope your fashion design dreams come true in the future. (Meanwhile, you might keep an open mind about a modelling career!)
Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by the other photographers in our group at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page.
Follow-up: I got a very nice note from Lindsay thanking me for the photos and commenting on what a beautiful project this is. She encouraged me by wishing me all the best. I was pleased but not surprised because she was such a nice person.