Cristina [Stranger #43] - a photo on Flickriver

Meet Cristina.

I was just heading home after a couple of hours of strolling late afternoon- when I saw Cristina just starting lunch on a outdoor bench and I instinctively knew she would make a great stranger portrait. Elegant and sharp with a "focused" look about her she could very well be a martial arts instructor (my wife said that and I agree). But as she looked young I was a little hesitant but then decided to at least ask. As has happened many a times, Cristina was not only open to doing these pictures but actually very friendly. I sat by chatting to know her a little better while she finished lunch - honestly it almost felt like I knew her for a while.
Cristina is from Texas where she works with Universities - obtaining and ensuring federal funds are distributed as appropriate (a Lobbyist for lack of a better term). She loves the outdoors - trekking and being with nature which is one of the reason she loves Maryland due to amount of green spaces even in urban settings. She loves visiting the museums as well as reading. A very confident person I was especially impressed with her ability to express herself and the ease of conversation, even with a person she had just met - a real pleasure. A family oriented individual her favorite memory is of a family cookout a few months ago in Washington DC.
Her favorite quality of herself was her compassion- which I learned was in large part to her life experiences and challenges that she encountered which molded her. She had experienced Spinal fusion in her childhood when she was 9 and for 3 years she was pretty much immobile, in a cast from neck to knees, struggling through the basic functions of life. As much of a painful struggle it was, she was not deterred or bitter, In fact she wouldn't change a thing since it taught her a lot and gave her the ability to empathize with others. Besides her work, she does want to do more to help people and society instead of being absorbed with herself. I was truly blown away by her thinking - humbled really and really glad to make her acquaintance. She also mentioned she didn't really do a lot of pictures but said yes to me to try something different since it was a unique experience - just another facet of her personality I felt. Of course she was just great on camera - she knew exactly what to do and pretty much rocked the pictures.

It was wonderful making your acquaintance Cristina - and hearing your thoughts. Wish you all the very best for your future

Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
For my other pictures on this project: 100 Strangers - Round 2.
For pictures from my prior attempt at 100 Strangers: 100 Strangers - Round 1.

Taken on: June 19, 2023

Tags:

100 Strangers

portraitofstrangers

bethesda

dmv

photographer

85 mm

D750

nikon

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streetportraits

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Sets appears in: • 100 Strangers - Round 3 • My Experiments with Portraits

Groups appears in: • Portraiture Photography (of real people) • STRANGERS! more » • 100 Strangers • Portraits have Souls • Rostros y Caras -Faces • More Than Portraits • Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G • Photography Week • STREETFASHION MAGAZINE • Great Portraits (10th.Year) • NIKON D750/D780 CLUB • Street Portraits Close Ups Only • Flickr Heroes • Superior photography • D750 Portraiture • ♥ STREET FASHION WOMAN ♥ « less

Camera: Nikon D780, f/2.8, 1/500 sec, 85mm, ISO 400 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D780
Lens:	85mm f/1.8G
Aperture:	f/2.8
Exposure Time:	0.002 sec (1/500)
Focal Length:	85mm
ISO:	400
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	No Flash
Exposure Program:	Manual
Exposure Mode:	Manual
Metering Mode:	Spot
White Balance:	Auto
Sharpness:	Hard
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
Software:	Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic 12.4 (Windows)
Show full info

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