I've always felt that being armed with a more professional camera when shooting portraits of strangers gave me an advantage because I appeared more serious and thus would be less likely to be turned down. And for the better part of two years, after recording 99 (official) stranger portraits with my DSLR, it's safe to say that assumption is accurate. But earlier this year while dining at a local pizza place where Will (above) works, and with only my iPhone camera handy, a whole new project emerged as did a whole new challenge.

I'd seen Will and his awesome frames before and had always wanted to take his picture. Now I'd have to approach a stranger and ask them for their portrait using my iPhone. My introduction had to be swifter and more convincing. And, most importantly, they really had to trust me.

And trusting they have been. Since January I've shot 15 strangers (as well as 4 friends, a design superstar and 1 dog). Each one is processed through the Shake It Photo app — and most times right in front of them. And being able to show them the results before we part ways has also been an advantage in gaining their trust.

The entire set can be seen here. But here are a few of my favorites so far.

Cassie, from Jammin' Java in Vienna, VA.
She took some convincing but ended up loving the results.

Bryan and Ola, in Adams Morgan.
I actually met Bryan last summer at Artomatic and then ran into him again at the DC Tweed Ride in November. Since then we became Flickr contacts and it was great running into him again with Ola. Ola's band Fredrik had just finished an east coast tour and Bryan went along to photograph the band.