Photographer Unites Unknown Individuals Nationwide for Intimate Portraits: A Comprehensive Interview

# Richard Renaldi’s *Touching Strangers*: A Decade of Documenting Ephemeral Connections

In 2007, photographer [Richard Renaldi](https://renaldi.com/) initiated a groundbreaking artistic endeavor aimed at enriching our understanding of human connections and societal limits. He posed a compelling yet straightforward question: What might unfold if two strangers not only appeared together for a photograph but also engaged in intimate contact, despite the fact that they had never encountered each other before? This thought-provoking inquiry laid the groundwork for Renaldi’s acclaimed series, *Touching Strangers*. Over a span of 17 years, Renaldi journeyed across the United States, capturing hundreds of poignant and reflective portraits that juxtapose the closeness of human touch with the distance of unfamiliarity.

Renaldi’s *Touching Strangers* project has recently gained fresh interest as it commemorates its 10th anniversary since being published by Aperture in 2014. To celebrate the milestone, Renaldi has released a [limited-edition print](https://charleslanepress.com/editions.php?id=030) and has introduced a [new web gallery](https://renaldi.com/touching-strangers-at-10/#1) showcasing 84 never-before-seen images from the series. In an era when social divides appear to widen, the closeness and vulnerability captured in these portraits act as a significant reminder of our common humanity.

## The Origin of *Touching Strangers*

Renaldi’s distinctive investigation into the physical closeness of strangers began during his time as an environmental portraitist in New York City. His earlier series, *See America by Bus*, documented unplanned moments of connection in communal settings, particularly at Greyhound bus stations, where travelers waited together on shared benches. This experience sparked the idea for *Touching Strangers*. Renaldi developed an intrigue for the numerous unseen connections between individuals who share the same spaces but remain unknown to each other.

“I was interested in exploring the connections that exist among us and the possibilities for intimacy between strangers,” Renaldi reflects. Motivated by the randomness of human gatherings, Renaldi adopted a more purposeful strategy—intentionally selecting strangers in public environments and encouraging them to engage in physical contact, moving beyond mere handshakes or hand-holding to mimic a deeper, more personal connection.

## Behind the Camera: Establishing an Intimate Atmosphere

Capturing these pairs or groups of strangers required Renaldi to possess not only technical expertise but also the talent to navigate—and at times, surpass—social barriers. He took on the roles of both photographer and casting director, facing the challenge of persuading individuals to join in an inherently awkward social experiment.

“The initial response of most strangers when asked to physically connect is often hesitant and uncomfortable,” Renaldi notes. However, he sought more than random contact; he aimed for an intimacy that felt authentic and sincere. This necessitated that Renaldi embrace the role of director, providing guidance to his subjects in order to facilitate genuine moments of connection. “To enhance intimacy between them, I needed to adopt the director’s role and specify points of contact for many of my participants.”

Despite the difficulties of operating in public venues characterized by the unpredictable nature of human behavior, Renaldi gradually honed his approach. He became skilled at interpreting the body language of his participants, pairing them with compatible partners, all while preserving the spontaneity that gives the project its genuine and raw essence.

## The Impact of Storytelling and Interpretation

One of the most intriguing results of *Touching Strangers* is its capacity to elicit narrative interpretations from viewers. Even with the knowledge that the subjects in the images are complete strangers, audiences frequently project their own narratives and beliefs onto the photographs. Renaldi explains, “One revelation I experienced after sharing the work with the world was that viewers… would still feel a compelling urge to construct a narrative regarding the relationships among the individuals in the pictures.”

This manifests our psychological inclination to relate others’ behaviors to familiar narratives, even in anonymous settings. Whether the strangers are perceived as distant lovers, long-lost siblings, or close friends, these projections underline how our minds strive to comprehend and characterize human connection—an integral aspect of our social existence.

## Memorable Encounters: Transcending Borders

Among the many significant experiences Renaldi encountered during the project, one particularly memorable moment took place in San Francisco. At the city’s renowned Twin Peaks, Renaldi approached a Southern woman named Annalee for a photograph. Although she cautiously agreed, Renaldi began searching for a partner for her. He soon found a Muslim woman named Rayqa, adorned in a hijab, strolling close by with her husband. Though Rayqa initially declined to pose, fearing possible discrimination, an extraordinary moment emerged: Annalee, without prompting, approached her and invited her to join the photograph. The resulting image captures a touching and hopeful instance where personal boundaries were transcended through communication and mutual respect, encapsulating the essence of Renaldi’s work.