The Encounter

The Encounter explores the brief connection that can arise when I approach a stranger in the street and ask if I may make their portrait. Unlike The Unseen Moment, where people are photographed without posing, these images begin with a conscious encounter between photographer and subject. For a short time, two people who have never met before stop and create a photograph together.

What interests me is not simply finding an interesting face. It might be someone's expression, clothing, posture or personality that catches my attention, but sometimes it is something less obvious — a certain presence or the way a person seems to belong within their surroundings. That curiosity becomes the reason to approach them.

Asking a stranger for a portrait always introduces an element of uncertainty. They may agree immediately, hesitate or simply say no. When someone does agree, a small moment of trust begins. I usually keep the encounter simple. Rather than directing every detail, I prefer to let people remain themselves and work with their natural posture and expression.

The surroundings are an important part of these portraits. A street, café, market, shopfront or quiet corner of the city can provide clues about where the encounter took place and give the portrait a stronger sense of context. Whenever possible, I allow that environment to become part of the story rather than reducing it to an anonymous background.

Although the portraits are posed, I do not want them to feel overly controlled. I look for the moment after the initial awareness of the camera begins to disappear — when someone relaxes, a spontaneous expression emerges or their personality starts to become visible.

Sometimes the conversation lasts only a minute. At other times, making a portrait leads to an unexpected story about someone's work, journey, family or life. Those conversations may never be visible in the final photograph, but they influence the way I remember the image.

For me, that is what makes these portraits special. The photograph becomes more than a visual record of someone's appearance; it becomes evidence of a brief human connection that would probably never have existed if I had simply walked past.

The Encounter is about curiosity, trust and the courage to approach a stranger — turning a chance meeting in the street into a portrait and, for a brief moment, transforming two strangers into collaborators.

Close-up of an elderly Indigenous woman with long braided hair, wearing a white bandana with black patterns, traditional clothing, and a red beaded necklace, outdoors with blurred green background.
A woman with striking blue hair and elaborate black makeup on her face, leaning against a brick wall. She has a detailed facial design with black and white accents, and her eyes are enhanced with long false eyelashes. She is wearing dark clothing and
A young person with long wavy purple hair and a beard, wearing a bright blue shirt, jewelry, and bracelets, making a peace sign with their hand.
A man with a beard and glasses wearing a straw hat and a tweed jacket is standing outdoors in front of a large tree, with a crowd in the background. The scene appears to be a market or fair with various glassware, porcelain, and bottles displayed on
Close-up of a smiling woman with black hair, multiple facial piercings, tattoos on her face and neck, wearing gold earrings, a necklace, and a red top, against a grey backdrop.
A young woman with multicolored hair, wearing sunglasses, a septum piercy, and a lip ring. She is leaning against a black-and-white striped pole on a city street, smiling at the camera. She has a chain belt and is carrying a black backpack.
Man wearing orange sunglasses, a decorated crown, patterned jacket, and a scarf with crossed arms, standing next to a tree outdoors on a sunny day.
Young female security officer with dark hair, wearing a yellow reflective vest, standing outdoors with arms crossed, with various radios and communication equipment attached to her vest.
Young woman with red and black dreadlocks wearing headphones and black outfit, holding a smartphone, leaning against a tree with a metal fence in the foreground, blurred outdoor background.
Close-up photo of a person wearing a large, soft, gray knit hat with bear ears, white glasses with a small bear figure on the side, and long dark hair against a black background.
Close-up of a man with glasses, a septum piercing, a beige cap, and layered clothing, with colorful necklaces visible.
Close-up of a young man with dark hair, freckles, and dark eyes wearing a striped cap and a red shirt.
A man with curly hair and a beard smokes vapor from a vaporizer. He is wearing a patterned jacket and appears to be in a room with a dark background.
A black and white photo of a woman with dark skin and curly hair, wearing a head scarf, looking directly at the camera with a slight smile.
A woman with short hair and large glasses holding a small dog with a coat and a collar, sitting on a bench outdoors.
Black and white photo of a young man with curly hair and a cross earring, taking a selfie with a confident expression. He is wearing a patterned jacket and holding a smartphone in his hand.
Close-up of a woman's face, with sunglasses on her head, short blonde hair, wearing a leather jacket and layered necklaces.
A young man with dreadlocks and a backpack with reflections of buildings, standing on an urban street with a row of multi-story buildings on either side, in black and white.
A black and white photograph of an elderly man with long hair and a beard, wearing glasses, a hat, and a winter coat with a fur-lined hood.
Close-up portrait of a man with short hair and facial hair, wearing a jacket and scarf, looking into the camera in a black-and-white photo.
A close-up, black-and-white photograph of a young woman with curly hair wearing headphones and smiling softly at the camera.
A black and white photo of an elderly man with a cap, sitting outdoors at a park or street, looking back at the camera.
A woman with dark hair, wearing large headphones, multiple piercings including a nose ring and eyebrow piercings, layered necklaces, a scarf, and a jacket with a fleece-lined collar.
Close-up black and white portrait of a man with a cheerful smile, dreadlocks, and ear piercings, wearing a jacket with a zipper and earphones.
A close-up black and white photo of an elderly man with a full beard and disheveled hair, wearing a jacket.
Black and white photo of a young woman wearing a cap and a top with lace details, smiling slightly, with curly hair.
Close-up of a person playing a saxophone, wearing a light-colored cap and a dark shirt, with a blurred background of text on a wall.
Black and white close-up of a man with long hair, a beard, and a mustache wearing a top hat and a white tank top with visible chest hair, holding a toothpick in his mouth.
Close-up black and white photo of an elderly woman with long, curly hair, wearing a woman with a white top with embroidery and star-patterned suspenders, holding a bunch of flowers.
A man with white hair and beard walking down a city street pushing a stroller filled with small dogs, with pedestrians in the background.