How This Photographer Won Over Total Strangers When Taking Their Pioneering Portraits | CNN

CNN
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Ryan Daniel had no prior professional photography experience when he decided to buy his first camera.

But within six months of roaming the streets of Portland, Oregon—and with the help of a few online tutorials—Daniel developed a surprisingly unique style of photography: capturing free portraits of strangers.

Under the alias Pale Blue Wave, Daniel started his Instagram account several years ago. The 40-year-old grew her social media accounts from around 100 to over half a million followers.

Daniel says his photography is rooted in the objective of seeing people as they truly are. His thoughtful, conversation-based approach disarms even the most camera-shy person—from one old dog walker, Head down in a rush, to a young woman waiting at a bus stop.

His The artistic process is refreshingly simple: he wanders the streets of the city, looking for people who pique his interest. When he spots someone he catches his eye, he offers them a free, unhurried photoshoot, intended to spark a brief yet meaningful conversation.

The entire encounter is filmed on Daniel’s GoPro, giving his followers a behind-the-scenes look at the moments that inspire his photography.

But it’s hard to explain what draws Daniel to his subjects—it’s more instinct than a conscious decision.

“It’s really just a feeling for me… there are definitely things that draw my attention, like certain types of hair or certain types of styles… but I’d say I don’t really think about it,” she told CNN.

Daniel is very selective about the subjects he approaches because of the time and energy required for each session. Whether the meeting is ten minutes or an hour long, the connection he creates with the community is at the core of his work.

“I’m not a big person…I think more about experience and quality, as opposed to just putting out a video every day,” he added.

Of the more than 150 interactions Daniel filmed, one of his most memorable was during a rainy evening walk in southeast Hawthorne. There, he met a woman sitting alone, smoking a cigarette and writing in a journal. with her A style reminiscent of “40s Hollywood”. She immediately caught his attention.

When Daniel approached her to ask if she was interested in the shoot, the woman — whose name is Daria — responded in a way that left him speechless: “I trust you,” she said.

“I feel like I’ve heard a lot of things doing this, but… (it was) so surprising and shocking… I had to take a few seconds to respond,” she said.

Daniel recalls Daria’s expressiveness and simplicity in front of the camera.

When he presented his favorite scenes to Daria, she thanked him. “Thank you, dear, for looking at me and seeing me as a potential subject. That’s my honor.” she said.

That evening, while Daniel is reviewing the scenes at home, he realizes something unusual: the same radio host he photographed is Daria Eliuk, whom he loved when he was young.

“I Googled her name and it ended up being the person I asked every morning on my way to high school.”

Daniel wasn’t the only one moved by this chance encounter. A video featuring Eliuk has garnered more than five million views on TikTok, with many comments praising his warm, inviting energy.

Danielle’s social media handle, Light Blue Wave, holds deep personal significance for her. The “pale blue” part of the name is a nod to Carl Sagan’s book “Pale Blue Dot,” which deeply influenced him in his early twenties. Reflecting on the vastness of the universe and the frailty of humanity, Sagan’s novel shaped Daniel’s perspective on life.

As for “wave,” it’s a metaphor that speaks to the ebb and flow of her own journey, she said.

“Sometimes you’re high on the wave and things are amazing, and then sometimes you’re smashed against the rocks and it’s painful and brutal,” he said.

Three years ago, Daniel’s life took an unexpected turn when an injury left him struggling with chronic pain. He suffered from physical problems that were difficult to diagnose, which contributed to his anxiety and depression.

But things began to change when Daniel sought treatment for his hip and was encouraged to incorporate walking into his daily routine. Every day he walked for two hours, reconnecting with the world around him and rediscovering a long-neglected part of himself: his creative spirit.

Since then, Pale Blue Wave has served as a lifeline for Daniel, allowing him to tap into his true passion.

“Before I started doing all this, I realized there was a part of me that I didn’t know anything about,” she said.

For Daniel, it’s the people of Portland that continue to inspire his work. And the energy she gets from her photoshoots is like “a runner’s high, but in an extroverted way.”