NOWportrait & the people of Chinatown & Soho

Last Sunday we held our second NOWportrait London meet up. It was wonderful to meet new people – those who’d come along to take part in NOWportrait, and all of the people we met as we walked through the streets of Chinatown and Soho. And there were challenges! It can be very nerve wracking to approach a stranger and begin a chat and one of the most fantastic things about the meet ups is being with like-minded people who are enthusiastic and supportive and doing the same thing.

Sophy – NOWportrait by Lucy Williams
Sophy picks up the newspapers for her dad on the weekends, she was in a hurry because she was rushing to pick up her son from Chinese school. I asking her for her photo because she looked so bright and cheerful in her shades. To be honest, I could see she was in a rush and I thought she’d say no. I’m really glad she didn’t.

Come and meet the strangers we met as they get posted in the Facebook group and join in the conversation with the NOWportrait community. And when you’re out and about this week take a risk and say hello to someone new! Share who YOU meet in the Facebook group, and on Twitter or Instagram #NOWportrait.

And if you’d like to organise your own NOWportrait meet up where you live, drop us a line and we’ll support you to do that wherever you are.

If you like this post you might also like to see NOWportrait London meet up 1: Leather Lane/ Whitecross Street

 

When NOWportrait met up on Leather Lane

Our first ever NOWportrait meet up began on Leather Lane (and ended up in Whitecross Street Market) and this is who we met…

Hannah – NOWportrait by Katy Thomson
Meet Hannah. She was stood outside her office having a break and I loved everything about her look; her hair, her top, glasses and phone cover. She was a little hesitant when I first asked if she’d mind if I took her photo… “this isn’t going to end up in the inside of a phonebox is it?” After I had told her about NOWPortrait she relaxed and was happy for me to take her photo. 

 

 

Don, Kirin & Melody – NOWportrait by Katy Thomson
Meet Don & two of his kids Kirin & Melody. Don was coming down the road on his scooter with Melody dribbling her basketball beside him. I loved his carefree attitude and he was really happy for me to take his photo. He called his young son to come and join them for a photo, he had scooted off down the road so we had to go and find him. Kirin was born 3 months prematurely but was a cheeky little chap who was full of life. Both children were gorgeous and a real credit to Don, he was clearly a very proud dad.

 

Sina – NOWportrait by Katharine Peachey
This is Sina who works on a food stall in London’s Leather Lane. He is Persian but cooks a mean Paella. 

 

 

Ann – NOWportrait by Katy Thomson
I met Annelot on the NOWPortrait meet up day. She was the 2nd person I met and photographed. I loved the wall she was standing against and thought with her gorgeous hair and great jacket that it would make a great photo, so I approached her and asked if she would mind me taking a photo of her. She was a little surprised that I asked but was more than happy to have her photo taken. Annelot is from the Netherlands and was waiting to meet a friend for a coffee and a catchup. Her friend turned up as we were finishing so it was perfect timing. I think the words behind her are perfect for the fact she was off for a coffee with a friend.

Costas – NOWportrait by Lucy Williams
Costas said hello with a great big smile as I walked past and I immediately wanted to take his photo. He used to work in the hospitality industry in Greece and came to London when the recession hit. He now works at The Modern Pantry in St John’s Square and loves it. He said ‘I like to chat to people and on a sunny day there’s always time to talk’ then with a grin ‘I can’t promise sun for tomorrow Miss Lucy’ 

 

 

 

Ann – NOWportrait by Katharine Peachey
This is Ann. She was works at the Marx Memorial Library in Clerkenwell, London, and was having some lunch just around the corner when I stopped to ask if I could take her portrait. We chatted for a while and she told me of how she had studied painting & lithography at art school. She had only dabbled in photography once when she borrowed a camera from her college department, went to the British Museum to take some shots and was promptly arrested under suspicion for being a member of the IRA. Needless to say that put her off. Interesting to think it isn’t just in recent times that photography is seen as subversive or threatening. Ann was enchanting and a pleasure to chat to. The colours of this photo nicely represent her colourful character. 

 

 

“I could NEVER do that!”

“Photographing strangers is my fear!”

“I’ve always wanted to do it but I’m too scared!”

Are you thinking ‘ME TOO’ ?

Come and share the NOWportrait experience! It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet and photograph strangers in a different part of town, to give and get support, and to be part of a growing community of people taking creative risks and making connections with new people.

“I’m glad I plucked up the courage to take part in NOWportrait. It is so rewarding and inspiring – look at all the cool people out there! Everyone should get out there this summer and say hello to someone!” – Victoria Mbewe 

Our next meet up is on Sunday June 8th in Soho and we’d love to see you there. Follow us on our Facebook page to stay updated.

And if you’re out and about this week having chats with strangers remember to share the people you meet with the NOWportrait community by posting their portraits in the Facebook group, and on Twitter or Instagram #NOWportrait.

NOWportrait, 5 strangers and a dog named Sparky

This week we’re embracing twosomes inspired by Ilaria, Natalie and Cally who met not one but two strangers for their NOWportraits (and we’re counting Sparky as a bonafido stranger because, well, just look his little face!)

Roshid & Sparky – NOWportrait by Ilaria Petrucci
Yesterday I met Roshid…and Sparky. I started talking to Roshid as I saw little Sparky literally leaping towards a motorbike that was driving past them and almost taking Roshid with him! We started the conversation with my observation at how ambitious his dog was and from there we chatted for a few minutes and they both kindly posed (thank you Sparky!) for a portrait. Roshid is an engineer and yesterday he finished work earlier and took his dog for a walk in the lovely weather and I was very lucky to meet them both. While talking I found out his jobs involves a bit of travelling, including Sicily, in Italy, where my mum is also from!

Sarah and Fraser – NOWportrait by Natalie Russell
I met Sarah and Fraser last night at an FDT event. They are part of Creative in Callander, which is a non profit community based co-operative craft and retail outlet.

Michele & Georgina – NOWportrait by Cally Sheard
I couldn’t help but ask Michele and Georgina for a photograph as they passed me in the street today with their faces painted white. Curiosity got the better of me! It turned out they were working on photography project for school to demonstrate their dark side which is why they had painted their faces so ghoulishly. They were just on their way back from grabbing lunch at Mcdonalds and were delighted to become part of NOWPortrait!

NOWportrait tips for pairs:

• say hello (often the hardest part!)
• have a friendly chat, what was it about them as a couple of people that inspired you to take their portrait? Let them know!
• find out more about their story and discover how they are connected to each other (or perhaps they’re not connected at all – check out Touching Strangers for Richard Renaldi’s portraits of people who’ve never met before #TouchingStrangers)
• be bold and ask them to move if you need (sometimes distances seem further apart through your lens and you might need them to be closer together for your photo)

If you’re looking for places to find strangers then today the roof garden at John Lewis is open and is sure to be full of people enjoying the sunshine #OxfordStreetRoofGardenEvent. On Tuesday Chelsea Flower Show begins, perfect for a flower inspired NOWportrait #RHSChelsea. And for Douglas Adams fans, you’ll know that next Sunday is Towel Day Keep your eyes peeled for strangers with towels! #towelday

Share your NOWportrait photographs, stories & experiences with the hashtag #NOWportrait on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter 

 

Grab your camera, meet a stranger, say hello!

Hello everyone!

Did you know that anyone with any camera can take part in #NOWportrait?  We love to see photos taken on camera phones, ‘point and shoot’ compact cameras, SLRs, medium format etc etc. Even pinhole cameras (we’ll be very impressed indeed if you do a pinhole camera photo!!!) And both digital and film are welcome.

The portrait of Lydia below was shot by photographer Katharine Peachey, on a film on a medium format camera  (Contax 645 – Kodak Portra) which meant Katharine uploaded her digital scans a few weeks after she met Janet.  And the portrait of Bert was shot by hairdresser Conor Kelly on an iPhone which he shared with us on Instagram #nowportrait.

However you take photos, NOWportrait is about being out there making a great connection with someone you’ve never met before.

“I met Lydia whilst working on a project for the fantastic Orangebox Youth Centre in central Halifax (the reason for trip up North more of that later). She is 17 and works there as an intern but is hoping she’ll be made a permanent member of staff once her internship ends. She gave me a tour of the place and this shot was taken in the skate park on the building’s roof. She was a delight.” NOWportrait by Katharine Peachey

“This is Bert, I met him when I was walking my dog winston (Bert liked the name) on Hilly Fields SE4 . Bert is recovering from surgery on his Achilles’ tendon but was still smiling and having fun with his beautiful family in the park!” – NOWportrait by Conor Kelly

This week who will you meet?  We’re encouraging you to join in the project and share the people you meet with the #NOWportrait community in the Facebook group or on Instagram #nowportrait. We can’t wait to see!

To get started head out into your local community, find someone you’ve never met before and say hello. And if you’re stuck for inspiration, next Wednesday 14th May  is ‘Receptionist’s Day‘ so that could be a great way to start.

Or, if you’re feeling far more risqué, next Thursday 15th May is ‘Nylon Stocking’s Day‘ 😉  Add the hashtags #receptionistsday or #nylonstockingsday to your #nowportrait when you share.

For our latest updates follow us on Twitter @nowportrait and on the NOWportrait Facebook page too.

Grab your camera, meet a stranger, photograph their portrait, capture their story, share your #NOWportrait 

NOWportrait inspires connections with strangers through photography

Hello and welcome to #NOWportrait!

I don’t know about you, but it struck me that we pass so many people by without even noticing them; neighbours, people in the local community, people we see in the same train carriage, every single day, for years. Maybe there’s a glance of recognition between each other, perhaps a shy hello, but how often do we start a conversation?  Maybe we’re heading to a future where our daily chats with strangers only ever take place in online communities like Twitter or Facebook.

NOWportrait aims to change that future, one stranger at a time…

NOWportrait is based on a simple idea; meet a stranger, have a conversation, photograph a portrait, capture their story and share!

The project was launched on March 8th 2014 and during that weekend 37 photographers took part and met and photographed over 70 strangers, all over the UK and as far away as Iraq.

Meet some of those people below…

 

“This is Kenneth enjoying the glorious sunshine at his beach hut in Bournemouth. He’s 90, a widow – he’s lost 2 wives, one at the age of 23…. I was the first person he spoken to all day! So handsome, so dignified – so pleased I met him!” – NOWportrait by Kate Williams

“Meet Billie. I thought she was a stranger but it turns out that she lives on my road so now we are friends. What Billie likes most in this world is cake so there are two things we have in common…” – NOWportrait by Lisa Devlin

“Meet Carlos & his parrot Leo. Leo is an 18 month old African Grey parrot and was out on his first ever walk. I met them in Crystal Palace Park where Carlos was introducing Leo to the great outdoors. Leo wasn’t such a fan of his red lead and was much more interested in trying to take it off rather than pose for his photo. Carlos was a little nervous about their first outing together but they were doing great. We actually created a bit of interest when I was taking their photo, I think other people in the park thought there was something special going on…not just a photographer photographing a stranger!” – NOWportrait by Katy Thomson

“Ian was playing passionately on bodhrán during a Scottish music jam at a local pub.” – NOWportrait by Neil Thomas Douglas

“Arsenal were playing and Jaiden and his great grandmother Jackie went up the park to play football because Arsenal is Jaiden’s favourite team. When I met them they were on their way back home for tea.” – NOWportrait by Lucy Williams

“John loves Parliament Hill Lido and goes as much as he possibly can. It felt like a warm summers day but the water is still a nippy 9c and it’s johns first day swimming without his thermal boots and gloves” – NOWportrait by Hannah Elbourne

“This is Julie, she works at the venue where we shot our first wedding of 2014. She is beautiful. She is brave. She has made my heart glad that I asked if I could take her photo.” – NOWportrait by Charis Warrell

“Liz and John had just dropped off their grandchildren and were going for a walk before a meal out with their family in the evening. Liz had ice cream on her face, John tried to clean it off but she wasn’t worried about it, because it would tell you something about the day.” – NOWportrait by Camera Hannah

“I walked out my house looking for a stranger. directly opposite me was a young woman sitting on the steps. I asked her if she’s be photographed and all about the project. She said it sounded great and she would love to. Her sister worked in art events within the mental health. Madeleine was locked out her house. Turns out she has lived opposite me for four years and we have never before seen each other. I’ve met a stranger and a neighbour.” – NOWportrait by Fiona Yaron-Field

“I approached Pranavi while she was doing her shopping in Wellington.” – NOWportrait by Becky Joiner

“This is a portrait of a member of the Iraq army that act as security at high level buildings including the UN Compound here in Erbil, Iraq. I have been dying to take a photo but always been told no, until now. Unfortunately, because I don’t speak any Kurdish I couldn’t even get his name.” – NOWportrait by April Coetzee

“This is Cerys, my little boy Toby (he’s 5) took her photo and asked what would be the one thing she could change in the world and she said cancer because her friend is fighting it at the moment” – NOWportrait by Toby Williams

“Here is Martin Wesley-Veale who was playing an electronic keyboard in the tunnel at Braithwaite Street. Imagine a way more upbeat Joy Division. Anyway, such a nice bloke. He didn’t realise London was actually enduring a tropical heatwave as he’d been in the shade all day. – ME: “How shall I describe you?” MWV: “I’m a musician. I play music.” – NOWportrait by Richard Chambury

“This is Janet from Ealing, West London. I met her at Paddington Station, I noticed her because of that wonderful bright red jacket. She was watching everyone go by and told me she liked to look at what people were wearing, that it was a such shame everyone dressed in such drab colours. Janet was waiting to meet a friend who was about to become a grandmother for the first time. Since Janet was already one several times over (she’s 81 you know!) she was going to give some advice on the matter. She was such a lovely bright eyed lady. If you don’t already know about the @NOWportrait project go check it out. I’m now addicted.” – NOWportrait by Katharine Peachey

Featured photographers:

Kate Williams, Lisa Devlin, Katy Thomson, Neil Thomas-Douglas, Lucy Williams, Hannah Elbourne, Charis Warrell, Camera Hannah, Fiona Yaron-Field, Becky Joiner, April Coetzee, Toby Williams, Rich Foto, Katharine Peachey

 

How does NOWportrait work?

The concept is easy!  Meet a stranger + say hello + capture a story + take a portrait + share!

Anyone with a camera can take part, whether it be a camera phone, a compact camera, a dSLR or film camera. You don’t have to be a professional photographer, in fact our youngest participant is 5 and took his portrait on a children’s digital tablet.

NOWportrait is all about having a chat and making a connection with someone unexpected. Even if they say no to a photo you might find that you end up having an amazing chat – and that’s great!  If you do get a yes, have a chat whilst you take their photo and find out something interesting about the person you’re photographing.

Finally, share your photo with your stranger and let them know you’ll also be sharing it online in the #NOWportrait Facebook group

If you prefer to use Instagram (or another image sharing platform/ app), please do share there too!

Hashtag your photographs #nowportrait

 

Here’s what people are saying about their NOWportrait experiences…

OMG!!! It was one of the hardest/ most awesome things I’ve ever done!! I’ve read your posts and as momentum picked up towards the weekend I wanted to be part of it but probably only by ” liking” the Facebook page! And then I got it! And did it!! My heart swells/breaks when I look at the photo… and I cry! I don’t know if the tears are for me or him… totally unbelievable experience – Kate

My stranger said “thank you for emailing the photograph. I am on my way back home and guess what? First thing I will do on reaching is show this photograph to my husband. I love what you are doing. I’m happy that you approached me on the other evening'”,  I am so happy, I now totally get this project!” – Becky

Thank you for creating such an wonderful project! I’m totally inspired to go out and meet some more strangers. It was scary but so very rewarding ~ Zoe

It’s awesome! I absolutely love the thrill of asking someone if I can take their portrait and I am always amazed at the brilliantly interesting and sometimes little details you pick up from speaking with someone for the first time. Everyone i have asked has been so lovely and not at all put off by the idea. For me it doesn’t end this weekend I am going to continue taking peoples portraits, strangers who catch my eye for whatever reason ~ Kate

 

How did NOWportrait begin?

I’m Lucy Williams, I’m 41 and a wedding & portrait photographer  and I set up NOWportrait in February 2014.

I’d been shooting a stranger photography project for myself which I’d started started because I was petrified to do it! I knew the only way to conquer the fear was to face it head on. At first it was very scary and I walked past the first person I photographed 5 times before I plucked up the courage to chat with him. I quickly realised that meeting someone new was an uplifting experience and the sense of connection I got after chatting with someone, even for just 5 mins, was immense.

I began to share my stranger portraits in my Instagram gallery and received many comments from other people on Instagram saying they wished they were brave enough to meet and photograph strangers too.  I thought if there was a project that inspired people to do just that it would be brilliant.  And NOWportrait was born.

NOWportrait has grown to a small team of people including Richard Chambury, Cally Sheard and Kate Boswell and we are very excited about creating a space for people who are meeting and photographing strangers to connect with other people doing the same thing, all over the world.

 

What next?

NOWportrait is a growing community of people meeting strangers and sharing online in the Facebook group. We also hold regular meet ups for people to get together and share the NOWportrait experience.  And later this year (2014) there will be an exhibition and photobook of selected portraits taken during the launch of the project (March 8-10th) Both the prints and the book will be available to buy and all profits will be donated to support UK mental health charity MIND.

 

Why support a mental health charity and why MIND in particular?

I wanted to raise money for MIND because I experienced depression for most of my twenties and early thirties and I remember feeling like a stranger in my own life, and alone, even though I was surrounded by people who loved me.

Stephen Fry, President of MIND, talks about feeling loneliness in his blog post:

http://www.stephenfry.com/2013/06/24/only-the-lonely/

MIND provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.

Taking 10 minutes to talk to a stranger could change someone’s life forever. And taking a creative risk, getting out of your comfort zone and connecting with a stranger could change yours.

The future…

NOWportrait aims to be a global community of people connecting with people through photography, with events to meet up with others and opportunities to raise money for mental health charities around the world.

How can I be involved?

Head over to the NOWportrait Facebook page and LIKE us.

Join the conversation in our NOWportrait  Facebook group

Grab your camera and join in the project for yourself. Share your portraits and stories with the community in the NOWportrait group  (and on your favourite image sharing apps like Instagram) Hashtag all your NOWportraits #nowportrait

And lastly, share the project with everyone you know, especially those who are up for a creative challenge, meeting new people and would love to shape a new future through photography.