Walking in uptown Kingston

While I'm enjoying "meeting our neighbors", all of the photos from the Life in Ulster County series so far have been from pre-arranged meetups for me to photograph people. Today, I was walking around uptown Kingston, NY hoping to maybe scope out some places to display my photos, and maybe strike up a conversation. For years I've wanted to talk with and photograph random people that I've just met, but it scares the crap out of me. I'm very awkward about it. So I didn't exactly expect to take any photos of people immediately today.

With my camera over my shoulder, I walked into an unnamed Vintage Shop on Fair Street, and I can't quite take credit for striking up a conversation, but the owner, Henrietta, pictured here in purple, struck up a conversation with me. It started with her saying "So you like taking pictures?" and it went on from there.

I ended up chatting with her for at least 10 minutes. At some point, Terri walked in, and she clearly knew Henrietta. They were discussing a charity event Terri was organizing. Terri recognized me from some photos I did across town last week, and so that was cool.

They said they needed a photo of them in their fabulous hats, and I agreed! I wasn't exactly prepared, and I didn't have my flash unit with me, but I think it came out pretty good for the circumstances.

I didn't get a ton of personal information, but Henrietta did say that she had a more traditional antique shop in Saugerties for 30 years, and has been in the Kingston location for 4 years.

I got their email addresses and am looking forward to showing them the photo.

I'm hoping to do more of this sort of photography as time goes forward..where I have no idea who I'm going to meet and photograph when I head out.

As always, stay tuned!