Here we go! Announcing year three of the 30 Strangers Portrait Project and fund raiser. Once again, we’ll be doing portraits of mothers and daughters and collecting donations to the Center for Women and Children in Crisis.
Last year, it was first come, first served. This year, all you need to do is leave a comment on this blog post and we’ll be selecting people at random. You have until March 5, 2010, at midnight. If you are selected you must respond to my email within two days.
Please, please, read the following info before you leave a comment. We want to make sure you have all the details (which is to say, we want to make sure you know the parameters of the project) and that you have all the info you’ll need. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me.
What is 30 Strangers?
A Justin Hackworth Photography project. It works like this. For the entire month of April 2010 I will make a portrait of a mother and daughter every day. 30 portraits – 30 days.
Pick me! Pick me! Pick me! How do I get picked?
Hold on, tiger. I’d love to pick you so please leave a comment on this blog post and we’ll randomly select you. Keep in mind, there are some guidelines. Please read carefully.
It’s not called 30 Strangers for nothing. To participate, you and I must have never met.
Also, we’re looking for people that are age 6 to 108. Why not under the age of 6? Too fidgety. Why not over 108? There are some stairs to my office.
When you leave a comment on the blog, be sure to include your email address. Don’t worry. Your email won’t show up for all to see, but I’ll be able to see it and get a hold of you if (when!) you are selected. All portrait sessions will take place at 4:00pm each day. Remember, this is for April 2010. When you arrive, I’ll ask that you sign a model release (pretty standard stuff). In your blog comment, if you’d like to mention 3 days that will work best for you, that will really help me out.
Although we’ll be strangers when I photograph you, I certainly hope we don’t remain that way. Part of what makes this project great is the people I get to know.
Now, those are the essential details so feel free to post your comment. And if you’re dying to know more, keep reading.
What do I get out of it?
I’m glad you asked. You’ll be part of this historic project and donating to a good cause. You’ll experience an artistic, professional portrait session with the most important people in your life. I’ll create something personal and unique that will become more important to you over time.
Each session will receive one signed 8×10 fine art print and further prints will be available for purchase.
What’s this about donations to a worthy cause?
Great question. The thing you should know about the 30 Strangers project is that the $250 session fee is waived. Instead, we’ll be collecting a $45 donation per session for the Center for Women and Children in Crisis, in Provo.
Can I see what you’ve done in the past?
Go here to see portraits from 30 Strangers 2009, and here for 30 Strangers 2008. And here’s where you can see more of my portrait work.
What type of person are you looking for?
A mother and daughter combination. What would be even better than that would be a grandmother, mother and daughter. What would be even better than that would be a great-grandmother, grandmother, mother, daughter. What would be even better than that would be any of those groups I just mentioned, but when they came to the studio, they brought me a pie or a Henry Wienhard’s vanilla creme soda.
I’m going to take my time and think about whether or not I want to participate.
Well, that’s up to you, but last year I filled all 30 spots in under 2 hours. This year, you have until March 5 at midnight to leave a comment on the blog. Participants will be randomly selected from those that leave a comment.
Where will the photographs be taken?
My studio in Provo, Utah.
Can I include more than one of my daughters?
You’re welcome to bring them and if there is time, we can photograph you all together. For this project, however, I am looking for one person from each generation. That is the focus of the project and I can’t guarantee that we’ll have time for anything beyond that. (But we’ll probably have time, and come on, what am I going to do, turn away your other two daughters? Look at them. All dressed up and that one is wearing make up. She never wears make up.)
How long do the portrait sessions last?
Usually about 1 hour. Sometimes less, sometimes a little more.
Why are you doing this?
There’s something about a project with structure and tight parameters that fuels the creation of an expressive body of work, in this case, exploring the relationship between mothers and daughters. I love being a portrait photographer. Making images that move people and offer a sense of the subject’s personality is deeply fulfilling.
I’m also looking forward to raising money and awareness for the Center for Women and Children in Crisis, an organization founded on protecting these vital relationships.
I can’t wait to see who walks through the door and the images we’ll make. This is my third year doing the 30 Strangers project and I have been looking forward to this ever since we finished last year’s project.
When can I see the photographs from my session?
In the studio, one to two weeks after your session. We’ll schedule an appointment and together we’ll view your images. Each session will recieve one signed 8×10 print and you’ll have the opportunity to purchase additional prints. I’ll also update the blog daily with favorites.
I wish you were doing a cool photography project related to weddings.
We are! It’s called Love’s First Year and you can read about it here.
I am extremely beautiful. Will you be intimidated by my good looks?
Probably not. I’m married to a very beautiful girl, so I’m used to being around lovely people.
Do you like cheese?
Well sure–who doesn’t, but what does that have to do with this project?
Do these pants make me look fat?
Are you kidding me? You look fabulous! I wish I had a picture of you.
Do you think it’s funny when a lot of clowns get out of a tiny car all at once?
Ok, enough with the questions. Just leave a comment on this blog post if you want to be a part of 30 Strangers.
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I would love to participate this year. We have Spring Break April 1-3 but could make any day work. If we did a Saturday I could maybe convince my mother to meet us too! This is so fun and would love to have special pictures with my daughter.
I would love to have some shots of me and my 8 year old daughter together–for some reason, I don’t think I ever stop to have anyone just get us two together. I also have access to my mother and my grandmother! The beginning of April is probably better for us if you choose–and you should choose, because my daughter has the most shockingly beautiful frosty blue eyes you’ve ever seen!
This could be such a special mother/daughter time. We are in Ohio but will be near your area the middle of April, it could ber arranged. My daughter has the most beautiful curly hair…
I am a mom with “bookend” girls, meaning I have my oldest daughter(21), four boys, then my youngest daughter (6 in May). We live here in Provo and would love to be a part of your awesome project. I might be able to convince my Mom to join us if picked. She’s got gorgeous white hair. It would look really cool in a black and white photo!
Anyway, we would be able to do it any evening or Saturday in April (except the last weekend.)
Thanks!
If selected, my mother and I will fly out and visit Utah again, which we would very much like to do!
I’ve got three generations and plenty of time
Does it count if we take the pictures on March 31 and then you look at them on the 1st? Pie and 3 generations will be brought.
I have an 8 year old daughter who treasures a very old, not so great photo of the two of us. It would be so fun to replace with this! My mom is currently in China, but I do have a grandma in Provo that I treasure
I love this project!
This project sounds very intriguing. My Grandma (age 85, but looks about 65), Mom (age 63) and me (age 33) could meet with you on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Fridays in April. I also have a 2 year-old daughter-who is probably too squirmy, but I just thought I’d let you know. Thanks for the invitation.
My mom comes from a family with 3 girls, I am one of 3 girls, and I have 3 daughters. I would love to do this shoot with my mom and at least one of my 3 girls. I would be honored.
Between my 3 sisters and I the options are endless. My grandmother is still living and we all have daughters. It would be awesome!
I have a mom. She is great. I’m pretty great too….if someone should ask my mom, she would tell them this. Nothing in the world quite like a mother. It would just be the two of us. We are usually available, except Wednesday nights. Good luck with this super cool project.
I live in Orem, along with one of my three daughters and my mother. One daughter lives in Layton and will be having her second daughter on March 10th. My other daughter lives in New York and will be here March 19-21 to see her sister’s new baby. How convenient is that? We have four generations for you, combinations with three daughters and we’re right here. If you picked us on March 19th you could have us all! And we really want to not be strangers with you any more!
Hi Justin, I have never met you but I am new in your ward and sat next to your lovely wife in relief society! Does that still make me a stranger to you? I am available anytime after April 11th till the end of the month…
April works for me and my beautiful daughter Taryn. We are strangers, but I have a feeling not for long! Pick me!!!!
Good news–Me, my mom, and my grandma all live in Provo. Perfect.
First off, your project is amazing. And…we have never met, perfect!
My mom, my grandma and I always go to Women’s Conference at BYU, it has become our annual tradition. It so happens to be the end of April which means they will be here (28,29,30)!!! I would be honored if we were chosen to take part in your project. I would also like to bring along my daughter. There would be 4 generations of strong, amazing women. I can’t think of anything better!
We all work on genealogy together and, as we have been researching our own family we have come across some amazing photos. I would love nothing more to leave an amazing photo of the four of us to my posterity.
I think this is a beautiful idea and would love to be chosen. That and I have no idea who you are, but love your work, from what I have seen so far. I’ve wanted to do this with my mom and sister for a while. My grandmother is close by too. My mom wants me to get on the ball and “produce a grandchild already,” but too bad that isnt in the plans just yet or I might have had a better chance
I have been blog stalking you so that still makes us strangers right
This would be an amazing opportunity. I only have two pictures of my mom and I together. One when I was three and one on my wedding day almost 11 years ago. I can say now that I am a mother I cherish our relationship that much more and would love to have that portrayed in one of your beautiful photos. We are in SE Idaho and could make the drive any day. (April 25 is her birthday and this would be a great birthday present!) I also have 2 beautiful sisters if you wanted all of us.
Thank you for the opportunity to win something so wonderful and help support a worthy cause.
I am the mother of triplets, 2 of which are girls.
I live in Mexico, but I am a Utah girl. I have been trying to decide if I should come home with my two small smirfs (one of them is a daughter) in precisely April. If I get picked I will consider it the universe’s anwser to my quandry and I will come. Also my daughter is 4, but not figety, so if I am a random winner and that disqualifies me, I understand. But I think you should allow us, after all, the universe thinks it’s a good idea, and my daughter is beautiful. I am not just saying that, she truly is. And very calm, not figety, did I metion that?
My daughter is 16. She loves me. She hates me. She loves me. She hates me.
I felt the same toward my mom when I was 16.
Randomly pick us — from Boise.
I have a red-headed 4 month old baby girl and will be in Utah the first two weeks in April if you want some Texans to photograph.
I would absolutely love to do this! I have grandma and mom who could be there with me. (my daughter isn’t old enough). We could make pretty much any day work. My mom and grandma both make the BEST pie. I don’t. But I am good at going to the store and buying Henry Wienhard’s vanilla creme soda.
Oh, I’ll dream for a little bit that you will pick me. You see, there are a couple of options here #1 4 generations me, my daughter/s (One is 3) my amazing mom and her 80 year old mother. The other option#2..a bit tricky, I mean exciting! My amazing mother and her 9 Irish daughters, freckles and all. Our ages range from 13 to 33, and then mom..I think she is like 29. Two live out of state, but we would make them come. Okay, I will dream of the opprotunity for a couple more days.
This would be great for my Mom and I. We would love to do it. Hope we win. Thanks!!
I would love to be involved! I live in Morgan Utah so I could make my way to Provo. I am my mother’s only daughter in a family of 3 brothers and we have always been close. This would be a neat opportunity for us and to help with the Women’s shelter.
I would love to be selected. I would bring my mother and grandmother with me, both breast cancer survivors who I think are the most amazing women! My mom is actually a survivor twice over. Both of these women are my heros and would love nothing more than to be a part of this great cause. We live in rural Sanpete county, we are Utahs through and through! I’m sure any day in April would be great for us. Love your work.
I love your work and I would love to be randomly selected!! I have a beautiful mom. Really, she is just lovely. And my grandma has just been aching for an excuse to come out to Utah this Spring. Is this the excuse? I certainly hope so. So is just lovely too. Oh and I would be there too. Some people say I’m lovely but I’m not one to toot my own horn. Sadly, we don’t make pie. However, with an opportunity like this we’d learn! Just for you! I hope we won’t be strangers much longer!
Justin… you are a rock star! I found out about you from cjane, and I love your stuff! Anyway, I think you would just love my mother, grandmother and I – we are pretty cool, if I do say so myself. Both my grandmother and I live here in Utah, but my mom will be here for three days in April, so it seems like fate to be involved in this project with you. Hope to hear from you soon! (I hereby promise to bring snacks to our photo shoot, pie and Wienhards included)
My mother is completely averse to having her picture taken. Come to think of it, sometimes I am too. But there are – sad to report – almost no pictures of her with her two lovely daughters and she will be here in April from North Carolina. I think it’s a sign! PICK US! April 22-30. Anyday!
I would love to do this! That sounds awesome. I would bring my mom and my sister! Anytime in April would work!
For me, this would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You see, we usually live overseas (just finished 4 years in Cairo) and we’re in the States for one short year while my husband does a rotation in Baghdad. In August, we’re off to Manama, Bahrain. (don’t worry, i had to go look at a map, too!) We don’t live in close proximity to photographers or studios, for that matter. I have my trusty tripod and Panasonic to capture wherever we go; but I’m usually not included in these pictures. (the sad story of being behind the camera)To sit for you and be a “stranger” would be the highlight of my year! I have 3 daughters, two of which are “of age”, 10 years old & almost 8. I’d probably bring my oldest. I would be available whenever you want. Except April 20-26th. Spring break is the first weekend in April, for us. We live in Rexburg and would make the drive at the drop of a hat! And no, we’ve never met.
Oh Dear! How are you going to choose me out of all of these people? Well I will tell you why….. because you’ll be glad you did…thats why!
I can get my grandmother, & mother just so long as it’s around BYU graduation (my mother doesn’t live around here). So thats a 3 generation picture for you. Now I know you said no one under the age of 6, and thats totally fine but I do have a daughter who is 3 and pretty much obsessed with having her picture taken so she could possibly pop in for a photo or 2. But if you are strict to your rules than I respect that. We still have the 3 of us.
We would be sooooooo excited to be chosen and have our picture taken by such a prestigous photographer (oh and if flattery isn’t enough) we will bring you a 6 pack of Henrys for sure!
Justin, There is a baby girl cooking in my round belly and when we come to Utah for her baby blessing in August, we could do a four-generation picture with you. That would be AWESOME.
But, she won’t be six…she’ll be so young she won’t have figured out how to fidget yet.
You really want to pick me. My mom and are are two of the funniest, most delightful people you’ll ever meet! =] I’m pretty sure we could drag my grandma along with us, too. Or, I might send my oldest sister and her daughter instead of me. 4 generations of first born daughters. Just don’t schedule us on the 9th or 30th- 2 sisters are getting married.
I LOVE your work! I have two married daughters, both beautiful of course.
One of them has a 7 month old daughter (also beautiful) and the other one is pregnant with her first child. We all live in Utah and could probably make any date work. We’d be honored to be a part of your project. Pick us too PLEEEESE.
I love your work and love to be a part of your 30 Strangers Project! Any Saturday in April would be great for a day trip to Provo for my mom and I.
just me and my mom… unless you want to drive to delta, ut and visit my 95 year old grandmother (’cause she wouldn’t be able to get to provo) which actually would be way awesome ’cause who knows how much longer she’ll be around and i know mom would love this…
I’d love this! I live in NYC but my mother and 2 sisters live in Utah. I’d love to see them have their pictures taken.
My mother is the most important person in the world to me. As I was reading this I realized that I don’t even have a photo with her. My Grandmother’s health (especially mentally)is failing and I know this has been hard from my mom. I would love this opportunity to capture us all together while we can.
We could do 4 generations!
My mom, my 5 month old baby girl and I would love to come from Atlanta, GA! We are definitely worth meeting, I mean come on, we’re from the other side of the country! AND My daughter is half Mexican, so you’ll be getting a blend of ethnicity, I’m shameless. There will also be treats for you and lovely wife included!
oooooh, I love talking to strangers… and I’ve always wanted to make a trip to Provo… sounds like a winner to me. The end of April would work best. Please. Pretty please.
)
I live in Dallas, TX but my daughter and I would pack our trusty boots and make the trek to Utah if you picked us. And seeing that April is my daughter’s birthday month it would be the perfect time to capture her as a fresh new 6 year old.
I would love to do this with my grandmother, mother and daughter(s). What a fun experience to share together. If selected, I would make any day work!
I would sure LOVE to be one of your subjects. I would also like to volunteer my 16 year-old daughter and my 72 year-old mother. The three of us live in Davis County, but would gladly make the sojourn to your office AND up the stairs anytime, just to participate. There, three generations just like that. In fact, I also have 4 sisters who will be in town next weekend, if you really want to make it interesting! PLEASE let us be a part of your project!!
I have visited your website several times and you are amazing!! I have 2 daughters and we are very different looking from each other…maybe this would make an interesting picture?
I would love to be photographed with my mother. Would you like my grandmother there as well? They are in Las Vegas and I’m in Provo. They could drive up. Thank you!
I would love to get some pictures with my 9 year old. It might all work out that my Mother would be in town as well. My daughter is named after my Mom, special special!
April 1, 2, or 5 would be the best for us!
Can’t wait!
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