The Stranger Project - Stranger #3

Tonight I assisted a wedding shoot for a few hours at the Hay Adams Hotel in DC. Being a second shooter, part of my job is to wander around during the reception and get the detail shots. In doing so I noticed a member of the hotel's staff that intrigued me. He didn't seem to fit in with the rest of the catering staff. The awkward way his tuxedo uniform fit him, his quiet dis attached way of working, the set scowl on his face - all these things made me more curious as to who he was. Intimidated at first, I took a few shots from afar while he worked, but knowing I would kick myself if I didn't get up the nerve, I approached him and asked if I could take his photograph. Barely looking up from his work, he snapped at me in a growling voice and said "I wish that you wouldn't!"
Sure, I'm only on stranger #3, but this was my first negative response from anyone I've approached. I was instantly taken aback and my nerves tripled. I don't know where it came from, but with a shaky voice at first I just started talking. I said that besides doing weddings I am also a fine art photographer and that I am working on a project where I approach people I don't know and take their portrait. I kept talking about why I'm doing it and somewhere in the middle of my rambling his entire disposition changed. He first thanked me for saying what I said. He then apologized for his initial reaction. He said "If this is for what you said - for YOU - then yes, you may take my photo".

So this is Rick.

Once Rick opened up he REALLY opened up. He is a photographer himself. I learned that he has been shooting for years and even has a darkroom in his home. Like me, he switched from film to digital just a few years ago. I'll tell ya, Rick was a talker! By the time I left him to get back to shooting the dancing wedding guests I felt like we'd been talking for an hour. Such a far cry from the initial first seconds of meeting him.