Talking To Strangers
Ron
While exploring the photography festival in Leicester with James, we stumbled upon Ron. I asked him if I could take his photo, and he grinned and said, ‘fire away.’ Adorned with badges from music festivals, he revealed his past as a band member turned charity performer. As our conversation flowed, he casually removed his shades for another shot.
Madam from Barcelona
That morning Stella and I woke up early for Tossa De Mar but couldn't get on an earlier bus. It turned out to be one of the most unforgettable moments during my time in Barca, with so many fun finds and encounters. This was one of those.
We were sipping coffee outside Orval Studio, a cafe not far from the bus station. We sat on the stools watching people go by and saw this woman walk past, with a dry-cleaned garment in her arm.
‘我想拍她!’ I told Stella that I wanted to take her photos and went to chase her. I stopped her before she got into her flat. Realising she doesn't speak English, I showed her my camera and asked ‘Photo?’ she nodded.
Around half an hour later she came up to us outside the cafe and pointed at the two of us. We thought she wanted to help take pictures of us. Instead, she was poised for more photos and suggested we find another place for the shoot.
We tried to tell her we could send the prints to her and asked for her address. We showed her Google Translate but shame that she couldn't seem to be able to see the words on the screen.
Martin & Jorge
I was feeling poorly on my second week in Barcelona. The rain seemed to be in sync with my mood. It was pouring but I decided to brave it for a breather.
Passed this cosy cafe and spotted these lads chilling. I didn't plan on stopping, but I couldn't resist glancing back, feeling an urge to capture them in photos.
I grabbed a bottle of juice and hung around, waiting for the right moment to approach. The rain wasn't letting up, and it seemed like they were about to leave.
Engaging in a brief convo, one asked, 'Should we look inside or outside?' I shrugged, 'Hmm... whatever works for you. What do you think?' 'You're the photographer; you make the call.'
Erkan
London Fields Express was my go-to local off-license, a regular stop for weekly shopping, and a convenient mid-run pitstop or post-run snack bar. Drawn by its low prices and extensive selection, its prime location just off Broadway Market—my favourite shooting spot—kept me coming back. The vibrant street scenes always caught my eye, providing endless entertainment even on days I left my camera at home. Erkan, always greeting me with a cheerful 'How are you, darling?' at the counter, added a personal touch to every visit.
This was my first street portrait since moving to London last year. I'd mentioned to a few friends that I was eager to get back into it but hadn't yet found the opportunity.
Kassime reignited my passion for connecting with strangers on the street. He was queuing for drinks at Columbia Road Flower Market while I was roaming with my camera.
After a brief chat, he returned to his friends with drinks, and I continued snapping photos around the bustling market. As the crowd thinned and traders began to pack up, I was heading to retrieve my bike when I bumped into them again. ‘Can you take a photo of us?’ he asked, just as I was about to offer the same.