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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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.
Good news for you. Yes, and I have sent you the photo. Enjoy.
That is indeed some colorful hair. I like how close some of them are to pure colors 🙂
I wonder if they had to strip all the color from their hair before doing it. How else could they get such bold colors.
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.
On some people (like me) really light blonde is a crazy color.
I love your shots….they all look gorgeous :)…especially the purple hair, my fave 🙂
She was just standing out on the corner giving away samples for something I didn’t want, with all that beautiful purple hair.
I’m so impressed you got so many beautiful strangers to pose for you 🙂
Honestly, so was I. Thanks.
I love all the reds and purple tones, mine is currently Cherry Red but my favourite one is called Plum!
mollyxxx
Cool, do you have a photo?
I’m glad I thought of the challenge, your pictures are fabulous! My favourite is the second blue-haired girl.
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.
What an unusual challenge! I like the spirited St. Patrick’s goatee and matching hat combo best!
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.
🙂