Today I have a story to tell. It’s a story i’m sure many photographers will identify with. It’s a story that made me sad. It’s a story that made me angry.. Feeling out of control…..
I met Richard Renaldi on Saturday. He approached me!! We talked about a project he’s working on and he asked to photograph my daughter. I said yes. Another young dancer was with her and she wanted to be included. Her mom seemed ok with the idea..
Richard is working on an ongoing project called Touching Strangers.. I think it’s beautiful.. The premise of the photo is to connect with a stranger.. He found two guys from Sweden to pose with the girls..
However, while setting up the shot, there was some commotion in the background and next thing I knew, the girl’s dad called her away from the photo, saying “you don’t know where your daughter’s photo is going to end up”…. GRRRRR!! I was so angry..
Here was a photographer being UPFRONT with what he intends.. Shared his site and information and these people were being so naive. Meanwhile, tons of other “strangers” were photographing the girls on and OFF stage. This makes me mad because I photograph people all the time also.
My street photography posts are different to my portrait shots. I would NEVER post upclose portraits that had not asked permission for. Example the photo of the Chess Player.. I asked him if if was ok. HOWEVER, I asked the kid to slightly turn away because I knew I’d post this photo here…
I felt so terrible for Richard but I had to go along with the group.. I hope you guys check out his work… It is quite beautiful…
Sincerely
Pix
ps: Here’s Richard account of what happened from his point of view
I’m sorry that happened to you Pix. It’s a shame that our society has become such that people have to be so worried about where a photography ends up. I really like this photo! I like the innocence of the child and the big smile on the man’s face. I will check out Richard’s site on my break today! Have a good one!
Thank Bonnie.. It just irks me when people act like that.. I tried reaching out to him today.. I felt so badly
Sad… it’s a marker of where we are as a society when a guy with good intentions being upfront (and probably wielding expensive equipment) is villified when thousands of happy snappers with their iphones and compacts get ignored. I’ve had people point at me and shout pedophile… I was taking pictures of teenagers vandalising a bench.
I love Richard’s work, both artistically and conceptually. It seems like we can learn more about the subjects in the poictures when juxtaposed with a stranger. Lovely.
Thanks for your comment.
It was just a horrible situation….
I know about that project, actually! I read about it last year, and looked through the images and concept on his website. It’s such an awesome idea! I’m glad that you got to meet him! And ALMOST part of the project!