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This is number 39 of 100 in my 100 Strangers photo project. This is John Assyriaan from Wellington, NZ, Hair Stylist. Born in Iraq, he moved to Wellington 6 years ago where he went to school for Hair Styling, and now works in the city at one of the hair salons. He's the second Hair Stylist in my 100 Strangers project.Having a couple weeks off work for the holidays I decided to venture down into the business district as it's not often I get to wander around there during the day when the city is busy. Midland Park is a popular spot for people to spend their lunchtime and just generally chill and soak up a bit of sun during their work breaks. It's next to a busy shopping street on one side, and several office buildings on the other. There's a grass lawn surrounded by trees and benches offering plenty of room to sit and relax. It was a nice sunny day (it's summer down here in the Southern Hemisphere) so I wanted to find a Stranger out on the lawn.John was out having a smoke break and out of everyone on the lawn he was the one that stood out due to his shiny bold patterned shirt. He had a bit of time on his break, so he lit up another one and sat back while I snapped a few shots. "What was the last thing you ate before becoming Stranger #39 John?" ...mixed meat kebab.Thanks for participating John.You can see the alternate portraits of John in my 100 Strangers Alternates set, and you can see my other strangers in my 100 Strangers set, and strangers from other participating photographers in the 100 Strangers flickr pool. Learn more about the 100 Strangers photo project here.
This is number 38 of 100 in my 100 Strangers photo project. This is Moarigunkami from Wellington, NZ, Barrista at People's Coffee. No that's not his real name as you might have guessed, it's his Japanese persona. It's an amalgamation of several entities. Primarily based off the name of the Japanese writer Haruki Murakami who's works he likes, and also a play off the "Maori" the native people of New Zealand. But also with the letters transposed to that of the "Moa" bird, a flightless bird native to New Zealand once believed to be extinct but possibly making a comeback? The "gun" part in the middle was a suggestion by a friend that to make it more 'fantastic' like an anime character he needed a gun or a sword, and hence put it in the name. Complex yes, but interesting conversation no doubt.Moarigunkami hails not from the mouth of a fiery volcano but from all over the lands of New Zealand, calling Wellington his home of the past 8 years. He was headhunted to People's Coffee after working with his now boss at several coffee tastings at a local food market. I met Moarigunkami at the same time I met Stranger#37 Henry, while picking up some ground espresso beans for a colleague. Not wanting to shoot the same background twice, I opted to use the decorative wall behind Moarigunkami instead. Oddly enough it turns out that Moarigunkami intends to enter into the same industry as I'm in, and in fact is a friend to one of my friends at work. That's the 3rd or 4th Stranger now that has known someone at my work. Crazy small world."What was the last thing you ate before becoming Stranger #38 Moarigunkami?" ...spanokopita (greek pastry filled with spinach and feta).Thanks for participating Moarigunkami.
This is number 37 of 100 in my 100 Strangers photo project. This is Henry from Wellington. Born in Christchurch, he's lived all over the South Island of New Zealand, but considers Welligton "home" after moving her 2.5 years ago. One of the things he loves most about this city is the "melting pot" of cultures. He loves meeting people from different backgrounds and being exposed to their cultures.I met Henry at People's Coffee, a cafe in Newtown that is touted as having possibly the best coffee in Wellington. I was at the art gallery next door waiting for someone and remembered that a colleague had asked me to pick up a bag of espresso grind for him. Henry and "Moarigunkami" (Stranger #38) were just cleaning up at the end of the day, but they were kind enough to sell me the grinds AND also pose for my pictures.Henry's been working at People's for about 9 months now, but was turned onto their coffee long before that when he worked at a different cafe in town that used to serve coffee from Peoples' beans. After tasting the sweet goodness of his first espresso he was hooked, and today it's still his favourite coffee fix. The other bonus of working at People's for Henry is being in a workspace where everyone from staff to clientele are passionate about coffee.So after botching my question of the day with Drew (Stranger #36), I made sure not to forget this time."What was the last thing you ate before becoming Stranger #37 Henry?" ...cous cous.Thanks for participating Henry.You can see the alternate portraits of Henry in my 100 Strangers Alternates set, and you can see my other strangers in my 100 Strangers set, and strangers from other participating photographers in the 100 Strangers flickr pool. Learn more about the 100 Strangers photo project here.
This is number 36 of 100 in my 100 Strangers photo project. This is Drew Dennehy, Student at Victoria University here in Wellington. He just finished his first year of a double major in Economics and Architecture. He was born in Wellington but grew up in Nelson, and he's back in town for university. Upon graduation he sees himself heading over to work in Melbourne (AUS) for a couple years, and then taking a crack at life in London (UK). Eventually making his way back to Australia way down the road. But before he enters the work force, he'll likely travel South East Asia first...hey, isn't that what ALL grads do, you gotta get it out of your system before it's too late :)I met Drew by chance today. I was returning to "Man To Man", a mens clothing store in Wellington, to pick up some jeans I had bought last weekend and gotten altered. As I was leaving the store I glanced at the front window display, thinking it could make for a cool photo. I went about my business running errands, and then about 10 minutes later I returned to the store determined to use the front window to my advantage and add to my 100 Strangers.As I was standing outside the store 'casing the joint' for a good angle, the clerk that had helped me earlier asked if I wanted to buy the building by the way I was curiously scoping it out :) So I went back in and asked if he'd want to participate as my next Stranger. At first he agreed, but then as I explained the need to include a minor backstory, he declined but suggested Drew who was working on the upper floor of the store...and that's how I met my 36th Stranger.Now here's the part that really sucks!!! I'm a little rusty getting back into my Strangers project, so rusty in fact that I totally blew it and forgot to ask Drew the ALL IMPORTANT FINAL QUESTION...what the last thing was that he ate...crap, I suck! Well, hopefully Drew will read this post in the next day or two, see my dilemna, remember what he had eaten last that day, and then email me and let me know so I can rectify my error. Come on Drew!! "What was the last thing you ate before becoming Stranger #36 Drew?" ....Thanks for participating Drew.You can see my other Strangers in my 100 Strangers set, and strangers from other participating photographers in the 100 Strangers flickr pool. Learn more about the 100 Strangers photo project here.
Stranger Number 35: This is Yoshifumi Kono from Ishikawa, Japan. He's been in NZ for 1 year and 8 months now, working as a Chef and Team Leader at Wagamamas, a Japanese noodle house. Seen here enjoying his own "off the menu" lunch creation :)The original thread for my 100 Strangers is buried in the archives here. If you want to read my Strangers' full descriptions in more detail you can check my 100 Strangers set on flickr, and you can also see alternate pictures of them in my 100 Strangers Alternates set.
Strangers Number 30: This is Sain Kennedy from Melbourne, a Sign Writer, and Jacinda Smith from New Castle, a Waitress. Seen here watching "So You Think You Can Dance Australia" on the giant outdoor television in Federation Square.The original thread for my 100 Strangers is buried in the archives here. If you want to read my Strangers' full descriptions in more detail you can check my 100 Strangers set on flickr, and you can also see alternate pictures of them in my 100 Strangers Alternates set.
Stranger Number 29: This is Murray Paternoster from Melbourne, University Student studying Outdoor Education...in his classes he goes hiking and rock climbing, what a bum! :)The original thread for my 100 Strangers is buried in the archives here. If you want to read my Strangers' full descriptions in more detail you can check my 100 Strangers set on flickr, and you can also see alternate pictures of them in my 100 Strangers Alternates set.
Stranger Number 28: Stef Brooke from Melbourne, an Arts Major in university, seen here working one of the grandstand gates at the Formula1 Australian Grand Prix.The original thread for my 100 Strangers is buried in the archives here. If you want to read my Strangers' full descriptions in more detail you can check my 100 Strangers set on flickr, and you can also see alternate pictures of them in my 100 Strangers Alternates set.
Stranger Number 27: Colin from Melbourne, Lolli Maker at Suga.
The original thread for my 100 Strangers is buried in the archives here. If you want to read my Strangers' full descriptions in more detail you can check my 100 Strangers set on flickr, and you can also see alternate pictures of them in my 100 Strangers Alternates set.
Stranger Number 26: This is Kate Myers from Wellington. Currently living in Melbourne while attending university studying Fashion Business.The original thread for my 100 Strangers is buried in the archives here. If you want to read my Strangers' full descriptions in more detail you can check my 100 Strangers set on flickr, and you can also see alternate pictures of them in my 100 Strangers Alternates set.
Stranger Number 25: This is Laura Brophy from Sydney. Currently living in Melbourne while attending university as a Psychology Major.The original thread for my 100 Strangers is buried in the archives here. If you want to read my Strangers' full descriptions in more detail you can check my 100 Strangers set on flickr, and you can also see alternate pictures of them in my 100 Strangers Alternates set.
Stranger Number 24: This is Taraka from Melbourne, Business Analyst.The original thread for my 100 Strangers is buried in the archives here. If you want to read my Strangers' full descriptions in more detail you can check my 100 Strangers set on flickr, and you can also see alternate pictures of them in my 100 Strangers Alternates set.
Stranger Number 23: This is Baly from Auckland, a Graphic Design and Illustration student at Massey University, and Mothla from Hamilton, also a university student studying Law, Politics, and French.The original thread for my 100 Strangers is buried in the archives here. If you want to read my Strangers' full descriptions in more detail you can check my 100 Strangers set on flickr, and you can also see alternate pictures of them in my 100 Strangers Alternates set.
Stranger Number 22: This is Bob Symon and his son Charlie from Wellington. Bob works for ANZ Bank as a Computer IT manager.The original thread for my 100 Strangers is buried in the archives here. If you want to read my Strangers' full descriptions in more detail you can check my 100 Strangers set on flickr, and you can also see alternate pictures of them in my 100 Strangers Alternates set.
Stranger Number 21: This is Jenny from New Zealand, Professional Triathlete.The original thread for my 100 Strangers is buried in the archives here. If you want to read my Strangers' full descriptions in more detail you can check my 100 Strangers set on flickr, and you can also see alternate pictures of them in my 100 Strangers Alternates set.
Stranger Number 20: This is Nicky Samuels from Whangarei, Professional Triathlete and Beijing Olympic Hopeful. She's competing against her training partner for the third and final position on the 2008 New Zealand Women's Triathlon team. It all comes down to one race at the end of March in Mooloolaba, Australia. Good luck Nicky!The original thread for my 100 Strangers is buried in the archives here. If you want to read my Strangers' full descriptions in more detail you can check my 100 Strangers set on flickr, and you can also see alternate pictures of them in my 100 Strangers Alternates set.
Stranger Number 19: Karyn Taylor from Dunedin, an Installation Artist and Tango Instructor. She currently has a work being shown in the Dunedin Fringe Festival based on 7 booths of colour and sound, representing the 7 Chakras.The original thread for my 100 Strangers is buried in the archives here. If you want to read my Strangers' full descriptions in more detail you can check my 100 Strangers set on flickr, and you can also see alternate pictures of them in my 100 Strangers Alternates set.
Stranger Number 18: This is "El Jefe" from Lyall Bay. Obviously not his real name. Avid surfer, Jiu Jitsu student, and owner of an urban clothing store in Wellington. I think he looks like Vinnie Jones :)The original thread for my 100 Strangers is buried in the archives here. If you want to read my Strangers' full descriptions in more detail you can check my 100 Strangers set on flickr, and you can also see alternate pictures of them in my 100 Strangers Alternates set.
Stranger Number 17: Vanessa from Auckland/Wellington. Props Master for Dreamworks New Zealand (DWNZ), working on Avatar and The Lovely Bones. She's actually working on the same films as I am, but just a different side of production. Her office is about a 2 minute walk around the corner from me :)The original thread for my 100 Strangers is buried in the archives here. If you want to read my Strangers' full descriptions in more detail you can check my 100 Strangers set on flickr, and you can also see alternate pictures of them in my 100 Strangers Alternates set.
Stranger Number 16: Oliver Wilson from Wellington. High school student and rugby player. Works in his dad's comic book store, but ironically doesn't like comics :)The original thread for my 100 Strangers is buried in the archives here. If you want to read my Strangers' full descriptions in more detail you can check my 100 Strangers set on flickr, and you can also see alternate pictures of them in my 100 Strangers Alternates set.
This is number 39 of 100 in my 100 Strangers photo project. 
