People watching from a cafe on Cuba Street in Wellington, New Zealand, Sarah suddenly had an idea “Hey mum, I challenge you to do the 100-Strangers Project featuring a rainbow of hair color.”
It’s a new twist on an old challenge to help improve my portrait photography skills. Last year I never completed the 100 Strangers Project as I tend to be too intimidated to ask random strangers for permission to take their photo. It is easier now as I can start out by admiring their cool hair colour (and yes, I really do find coloured hair attractive).
I have read lots of descriptions of the 100 strangers project and each seems to be a bit different. I don’t know the original parameters. I know that my challenge was to approach, introduce myself, explain that I am doing the 100 strangers project, and ask to take a photo. The goal is twofold. First, to increase my confidence in asking to photograph people I don’t know and second, to polish my portrait photography skills.
It sounds simple, but it wasn’t for me. Rather than completely random strangers, I had to find and photograph 100 people with interesting hair. The finding part is pretty easy in New Zealand.
Rather than sharing images of all 100 strangers, I have opted to display only a rainbow of hair colours, starting with this celebration of St. Patrick’s Day: 
A Rainbow of Hair Colour
Often it’s the people that inspire me to travel, so I love the diversity and cultural expression. But more importantly, this is my best photo tip. If you want to improve your photography, you need to get out and take photos. If you travel and like to include people to help tell a story with your images, you need to be comfortable approaching them and asking permission. They are more relaxed, and your image will be better. For me, the 100-strangers project was the ideal tool.
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Emma Moody says
This is a long shot but I was wondering if you were the woman who took a photo of my hair. It was a very interesting purple-pink color at the time and I think in a ponytail. I remember someone (and I’m hoping I have found the right photographer here hahaha) coming up to me in a clothing store.
I really LOVED the photo you took and was hoping to get ahold of it somehow, if possible.
Rhonda Albom says
Good news for you. Yes, and I have sent you the photo. Enjoy.
CatSynth says
That is indeed some colorful hair. I like how close some of them are to pure colors 🙂
Rhonda Albom says
I wonder if they had to strip all the color from their hair before doing it. How else could they get such bold colors.
Dagmar ~ Dagmar's Home says
I’ve never thought about coloring my hair in a crazy color. I guess I’d go for really light blonde again? I was a blonde as a kid and colored it for years in my 20s.
Rhonda Albom says
On some people (like me) really light blonde is a crazy color.
Indah Nuria Savitri says
I love your shots….they all look gorgeous :)…especially the purple hair, my fave 🙂
Rhonda Albom says
She was just standing out on the corner giving away samples for something I didn’t want, with all that beautiful purple hair.
Stephanie says
I’m so impressed you got so many beautiful strangers to pose for you 🙂
Molly says
I love all the reds and purple tones, mine is currently Cherry Red but my favourite one is called Plum!
mollyxxx
Rhonda Albom says
Cool, do you have a photo?
Sarah E. Albom says
I’m glad I thought of the challenge, your pictures are fabulous! My favourite is the second blue-haired girl.
Rhonda Albom says
Thanks Sarah, it wasn’t just the idea, you helped me have the courage at first to approach them all. You are growing up to be an amazing person.
Julie Kemp Pick says
What an unusual challenge! I like the spirited St. Patrick’s goatee and matching hat combo best!
Rhonda Albom says
The most interesting part of that photo, is that it wasn’t St. Patrick’s Day when I shot the photo. I should have asked his story.
Rhonda Albom says
🙂
Suze The Luxury Columnist says
Such a fun post! Green works surprisingly well – though I wouldn’t fancy it myself. My own hair has varied from dark brown to blonde to auburn
Rhonda Albom says
Mine hasn’t even gone that far. It’s current chestnut is the darkest, then a dark blonde to Auburn range is more the norm.
New Jersey Memories says
I admire colorful hair — on other people, too. I’m too fair-skinned to look good in any other color but blonde. Interesting array of photographs! The man with the green mustache sure looked ready for St. Patrick’s Day!
Rhonda Albom says
“On other people” those are the key words for me. The mustache guy was weeks early. I just ran him now.
Sara Chapman in Seattle USA says
This is a wonderful idea and you have brought it into being so beautifully. Love these portraits and find them very inspiring. May I make a small suggestion? Not sure if this is my browser or what, but I had to scroll ALL the way down to leave a comment. Was looking for a Comment link below (or above) your post where they usually are. Not sure how that can be fixed, however.
Rhonda Albom says
Great idea Sara – having this many comments is very exciting, but also new. I will look into it.
harriet says
That looks like a lot of fun. Why not?
Rhonda Albom says
I don’t do it personally because the girl in the mirror told me it was not a good look.
Eli@coachdaddy says
Love the variety! What a cool project. (Girl 3 and the last one are my faves.)
I went blond once … a big change for a 30-something Hispanic guy. I’ll never do it again!
Rhonda Albom says
LOL – not a great visual.
orangeheromama says
Wow, what a cool idea! I LOVE colourful hair on ppl too. and 2 of those girls looked simply beautiful with their bright pink, and purple hair!
Rhonda Albom says
I actually think they all look great. I love colored hair on just about everyone, except me.
Colleen says
Even 10 years ago we would have thought it was Halloween. But they all look good!
Rhonda Albom says
LOL – I am surprised how popular it is here.
Diana @ Toronto Teacher Mom says
What a neat project! I’m just so surprised you were able to find so many strangers with so many different hair colours. Well done! And thanks for linking up over at Toronto Teacher Mom!
Rhonda Albom says
In Wellington it seemed they were everywhere. There is a university there, plus it was Cricket World Cup while we were there, so at least one told me it’s not her norm, but rather a fan thing.
jenny@atasteoftravel says
I love the guy with the green mo…what a great way to celebrate St Pats Day! I think I’ll be staying with my blonde hair. I’m not sure I’d even like to see another colour on my daughter’s hair.Old fashioned is probably what they’d call me!!
Rhonda Albom says
My daughter added bright red strip at the front when she was 11, but the hair dresser said on young hair it was too damaging, so she advised her to stop on long hair.
Birgitta says
Cool and colorful photo series!
Rhonda Albom says
Thanks Birgitta.
Claire says
Wow you got some great pictures here, love the top on perfect for St Patrick’s day 🙂
Rhonda Albom says
I thought so too, as soon as I saw him.
Indrani says
Wonderful theme! And you got so many faces for it!
Great series!
Rhonda Albom says
And many more to find!
Linda W says
Very interesting post! I loved seeing all the different ways people color their hair. It must’ve been a fun assignment.
Rhonda Albom says
I am really having a lot of fun with it. Generally the personality type that goes for bright and bold is also really friendly.
Mary Denman says
What a cool project!! I love the different colors. I wouldn’t have the nerve to color my hair..But I appreciate it on other people!
Do you send the people a digital copy of their picture?
Rhonda Albom says
Thanks Mary. I generally give out my card so people can contact me, but I do like the idea of sending a digital photo. I still have 70 more photos to finish the challenge.
Anonymous says
Yowzah!
I have to admit…. I don’t think I’d have the guts to wear my hear in bright colors. I suppose I’m chicken. But I love your photos anyway! T
Rhonda Albom says
I don’t have the guts for any of them either, but I am sure glad these other cool people did.
Leovi says
Yes, there really are wonderful these hair colors to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! Great photos !!
Rhonda Albom says
Actually, I shot these at the beginning of the month. They are random, even green mustache guy. I just featured it here for St. Patrick’s Day.
Christa says
Haha, that’s a really fun challenge. Sarah has a GREAT sense of humor and you are a very COOL MUM! Can’t wait to see more.
Rhonda Albom says
LOL – Thanks Christa, but the people who are really cool are the strangers who color their hair and then let me take their photo.
kristi says
One of my son’s fifth grade classmates had dark blue colored on the ends of her hair. I thought that looked pretty cool. I loved all these photos!
Rhonda Albom says
here is New Zealand, children wear uniforms to school and hair must be a single natural colour.
Alissa Apel says
It’s kind of in to had a gradient hair fade. I do like that. I personally let my hair go. It has even amount of grey in it.
Rhonda Albom says
It seemed much more popular in Wellington than I have noticed in Auckland.
Lux Ganzon says
I love these colors! I wonder when I could try these unique dyes. I’m only on brown or blonde. 🙂
Rhonda Albom says
Just make an appointment with your hairdresser, or do it yourself. My understanding is that unless you are blonde to begin with, you will need to strip the color out of your hair to get a really vivid result.
Robyn Engel says
I love it. This is fun. Your daughter has a creative mind.
The most bold I’d go, and have gone with my hair (not purposely), is a loud auburn/red. But it fades after a few washes, and it’s not nearly as loud as these gals’ hair.
Rhonda Albom says
She sure does. She is quite an artist.
Patricia says
Gorgeous people with colorful hair. Buddy with the green mustache has to be a good sport. I color my hair, but it’s the same color it was before the dreaded grey began!!!
Rhonda Albom says
He sure seemed like a fun guy for the five or so minutes that we talked.
Patrick Weseman says
Nice hair. LOL. I haven’t done anything to my hair in years.
http://csuhpat1.blogspot.com/2015/03/oakland-museum-white-elephant-sale-2015.html
Rhonda Albom says
Not me, I do mine every 9 weeks or so, but natural colors.
Rachel@safari254 says
Such bold and colorful people … the first one is definately a winner
Rhonda Albom says
It is really a fun project.
Comedy Plus says
I love the soft red color. I’ve seen that more than once. Very nice.
I won’t ever color my hear a different color. I’m too old for that.
Have a fabulous day Rhonda. 🙂
Rhonda Albom says
Actually, I know plenty of people who would disagree, and say we are never too old to have fun. Of course, maybe it’s not fun to you.
Dominique Goh says
Lovely shades of pink, purple, green and red hair.. Happy WW
Rhonda Albom says
I liked the blue hair too 🙂
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
Wow, look at the purple on granny! She’s hip.
Rhonda Albom says
I agree, she is pretty cool.
Life in Pieces says
Fun photos! It really depends on the person as to the color that I like, but probably the red/magenta shades are my favorite on those with dark hair. For myself, I started life with almost black hair, which now that I have more gray than color, I tried once to emulate with hair color. I knew I’d missed the mark when one of the young guys at work asked me if I was going goth.
Rhonda Albom says
I would have said that before I put the post together, but looking at all the colors I think I like the aqua blue color.
YAM says
Hari OM
Not something I have ever really understood the need to do; I’m a natural salt and pepper. Mainly salt… &*> Great photo project though…YAM xx
Rhonda Albom says
It’s just like any other fashion statement.
stevebethere says
Your doing quite well so far Rhonda, love these red seems to be the preferred colour doesn’t it, I bleached mine in the 70’s never again LOL mind you now I can’t cos I ain’t got any left haha!
Have a tintastic week 🙂
PS: As I was scrolling down I was expecting you to pop up with coloured hair hahaha!
Rhonda Albom says
Sorry, I am not a stranger to myself, nor is my hair an interesting, unnatural color.
Merlinda Little ( @pixiedusk) says
I always wanted a red hair! I wish I can do that before summer. So that in summer my hair would be like pn fire whenever I am out. That would be very cool.. as cool as these photos =)
Rhonda Albom says
Red fades really fast in the sun light, so if you do it before summer, you will be wearing a hat all summer 🙂
Fun60 says
Your first photo is an absolute winner. I’m with you about not feeling comfortable asking strangers if I can take their photo so well done. My hair is without colour as it is white and has been for a long time now.
Rhonda Albom says
I saw him in the airport before we flew home and was glad I had the nerve to ask for a photo.
Hilary says
Hi Rhonda .. good challenge .. love the colours and I do love seeing people with their hair all glowing with vibrancy … sadly mine is too thin .. and the less done the better (I think!) .. so it’s salt and peppering quietly – probably more salt now! Looking forward to more colourful heads of hair .. bet there will be lots of green ones around today .. cheers Hilary
Rhonda Albom says
Mine probably would be more salt too, if it wasn’t for the natural color dies I have found.
Corinne says
Well, It looks like you have a lot of colors…and people…to choose from! I love it!
Rhonda Albom says
To my surprise there seemed to be more people with interesting color hair in Wellington than there are in Auckland.
noel says
Wow, everyone wears their colors boldly, I love it – most really fit well with their looks/personality from what I can see.
Rhonda Albom says
I love the bright colors too, that’s why I selected these people.
Jim says
Great colours.
Rhonda Albom says
These were some of the brightest ones I have so far.
Jay @CraftySpices says
That is so cool. Would love to do something like that with a group of friends.
Have a lovely week!
Rhonda Albom says
These people are not friends, they are random strangers.
Raychael aka Mystery Case says
Love the colours and wish I was more adventurous. I had a disastrous experience at the hairdressers last week. After years of lightening so I could disguise the grey regrowth and not dye so often, they dye they used turned my hair back to dark brown. So not happy and was assured at the time the colour they were using matched my existing colour.
Rhonda Albom says
Sorry to hear it Raychael. Can’t you have it re-done. That’s what I did with my “red”.
Joyce says
Where’s your kid’s photo?
Rhonda Albom says
LOL – my kids currently have their natural color hair, and more importantly, they are not strangers.
Joyful says
Wow that really is a rainbow of hair colour. I’ve never really considered what the boldest colour is that i might wear because I tend to like a traditional coloured look on myself. Maybe I would wear purple or blue.
Rhonda Albom says
I like traditional colors on myself as well.