NYC Photographer Captures Intimate Moments Between Strangers

Photographer Richard Renaldi began his "Touching Strangers" project back in 2007 when he took to the streets to capture moments of fleeting intimacy between New York City strangers. This is the magic that was produced from his work.

Richard Renaldi's "Touching Strangers" was inspired by his 2003 project "See America By Bus," where he traveled all over the country photographing people in Greyhound bus stations. By 2007, Renaldi was ready to take on a new project now known as "Touching Strangers," where he would ask total strangers to pose together intimately, capturing moments of unadulterated human connection.

Although the people depicted in these photographs have only just met and part ways after the photo is taken, many of Renaldi's fans marvel at the way his subjects look as if they have known each other for years.

You cant tell me this isn't the cutest fake family you've ever seen.

Although Renaldi plays a big role in positioning his subjects, many of the people he has photographed later state that they felt a genuine bond with their counterpart. As one of his subjects said, "I felt like I cared for her. I felt like it brought down a lot of barriers."

In a time where technology often takes the place of genuine human interaction, Renaldi's "Touching Strangers" represents the society that once was, and what we can only hope it will eventually return to.

For more of Richard Renaldi's "Touching Strangers" and to check out his other work, you can go to his personal website at http://www.renaldi.com.