Winnipeg Street: Laura and Chad
Went for a quick walk around the downtown this evening and ended up chatting with Chad and Laura. They were taking a rest before moving on to their next destination, having recently arrived in the city. They travel regularly around the country by trainhopping. Laura is a pretty good photographer and she showed me several of the images she’s taken from a recent journey from on board a container train.
It was interesting talking to them and getting some insight into this lifestyle that many of us know very little about. I told them about my street portraiture project and they both thought it was interesting and although a bit apprehensive, allowed me to take a few photos. We talked a bit about tattoos and how many automatically judged them. You can either walk by staring, thinking all manner of things or simply take a moment to discover someone who just might be an interesting person to talk to. As is the case with many of the people I encounter, I very much enjoy doing the latter! Thanks Laura and Chad!
Mike Pratt Photography Blog 
Beautiful-as always! :)
Thank you!! :)
I like the B&W of Laura.
I frequently pause to inquire about ink and body art. It, indeed, can lead to some significant insights, and greater understandings.
Thanks Eric! At first I didn’t think I captured her well in that photo, until I looked at it a few more times. It has become my favourite :)
Super portraits. Especially the last..I have always hesitated to get a tattoo. My son reminds me that I will have wrinkled tattoos as I age! Plus, he does not want his future kids to have a gothic grand dad!
Your comments are always appreciated, Rajiv! haha….I was told this about the wrinkled tattoos as well, but ended up getting a few. Not sure I’ll get any more though; it is certainly a big decision!
Looking at your photos makes me want to get tattoos! :D
haha ~ If you were to get one, what would it be!? There are days when I meet someone with incredible tattoos and I suddenly get the urge to have more :)
How many tattoos do you have? I think I’ll probably get a quote or something simple :D I really want one or two, but needles scare me :S
Great! Especially Laura’s B&W – she looks like a kid!
Thank you Regina! I really like her expression in that shot :)
Beautiful! I love the portrait of Laura!!!
Thank you Moyca! I will be emailing these to Laura later today, so hopefully she’ll think so too!
Great!
Thank you!! :)
You KNOW I love it! :) Great shots and story – train hopping wow!
Allison!! I figured you would enjoy this one :) Train hopping! Part of me really wants to give that a try some day! Perhaps my alter ego!?
Hahaa your alter ego! I LOVE it! :)
This gave me such a smile ~ train hopping is totally your alter ego. You seem to have a little rebel wanderer in you. I dig :)
Go for it!
You have a sixth sense to catch the soul of the persons. I like all the post, but the second picture is very tender and the last one is beautiful, her eyes are so clear!. Congratulations, Mike.
Thank you Eduardo! It’s really great when people start to open up and reveal more about themselves. This is especially interesting when someone is slightly apprehensive at first.
Fabulous portraits Mike and what a bonus to hear about the train hopping . . . . . the light in Laura’s eyes in the final shot is hauntingly beautiful.
Thank you Patti! Although I wish my framing was a bit better on that image, the candidness of it and yes, her eyes, definitely make up for it. Canada is a big country and I can’t imagine travelling across it by freight train. Would certainly be an adventure.