Ghazal [Stranger #36]

This picture is #36 in the 100 Strangers Project - Round 3

Meet Ghazal

With the pandemic and other priorities my third round of the 100 strangers project has been stuck for a while - so couple of weeks back with the weather clearing and some free time at my disposal I stepped out in my familiar area in Bethesda, MD. The place is wonderful to just stroll around with cool happy street vibe and its fun to watch people mostly chilling and hanging out shopping or visiting the various restaurants in the area or just chatting.

I was hoping I would be able to encounter one or two cool strangers that would lead to some good photography opportunities. Some days are great and some days you just return with nothing to show for.

Luckily that day was a good one - within a few minutes of walking around I noticed Ghazal - just entering a nearby shop and browsing for some books. Simple yet elegant with a casual vibe with a vibrant colored top and red lipstick she looked like a wonderful personality for the project - so I approached her and to make a request ( quite rusty I was must add). In return I was greeted by a friendly dazzling smile and a welcome yes. We walked a minute or two to a spot where I had earlier noticed great light and used the opportunity to know a little more about this stranger

Ghazal (which means poem/song in Persian - I sort of knew this because of the similarity with Hindi which I speak) hails from Iran and is now pursuing her doctorate in the US. A student of mechanical engineering she however works in the Biomedical field.

She loves reading especially the Harry Potter books. A quality that she mentioned she is most loves about herself is her kind heartedness. When I asked about her memorable time that she remembers fondly she mentioned the day before she left her home in Iran, celebrating and dancing/singing with her sister.

Ghazal mentioned that her mom was a photographer too and she was used to being her subject which explained her ease in front of the camera - relaxed and very photogenic.

It was wonderful meeting you Ghazal. Indeed a pleasure making your acquaintance and photographing you in this random encounter - I do hope I got the details of our encounter accurately.. All the very best for future. if you stop by and like your pics please feel free to contact me for hi resolution copies of the same.

Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page

For my other pictures on this project: 100 Strangers - Round 2.

For pictures from my prior attempt at 100 Strangers: 100 Strangers - Round 1.

Done