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- Two photographers captured photos of complete strangers they met on Craigslist - and the photos are hauntingly beautiful
Two photographers captured photos of complete strangers they met on Craigslist - and the photos are hauntingly beautiful
Photographers Neil Kremer and Cory Johnson originally set out to photograph just one subject through their Craigslist ad.
![Two photographers captured photos of complete strangers they met on Craigslist - and the photos are hauntingly beautiful](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticbiassets.in%2Fthumb%2Fmsid-66836638%2Cwidth-700%2Cheight-525%2Cimgsize-1117767%2Fphotographers-neil-kremer-and-cory-johnson-originally-set-out-to-photograph-just-one-subject-through-their-craigslist-ad-.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
The simple ad stated that interesting people were needed as portrait subjects, that they would be compensated $20 per hour, and that Johnson and Kremer would come to them at their convenience.
![The simple ad stated that interesting people were needed as portrait subjects, that they would be compensated $20 per hour, and that Johnson and Kremer would come to them at their convenience.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836637,width-700,height-525,imgsize-975964/the-simple-ad-stated-that-interesting-people-were-needed-as-portrait-subjects-that-they-would-be-compensated-20-per-hour-and-that-johnson-and-kremer-would-come-to-them-at-their-convenience-.jpg)
Not long into the project, Kremer said they realized they wanted to go further with it.
![Not long into the project, Kremer said they realized they wanted to go further with it.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836636,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1164766/not-long-into-the-project-kremer-said-they-realized-they-wanted-to-go-further-with-it-.jpg)
"About ten people into it, we realized it was a good project," Kremer told Business Insider.
!["About ten people into it, we realized it was a good project," Kremer told Business Insider.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836635,width-700,height-525,imgsize-819262/about-ten-people-into-it-we-realized-it-was-a-good-project-kremer-told-business-insider-.jpg)
They eventually collected portraits of 65 people who answered their Craigslist ad.
![They eventually collected portraits of 65 people who answered their Craigslist ad.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836634,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1056704/they-eventually-collected-portraits-of-65-people-who-answered-their-craigslist-ad-.jpg)
Working with that many respondents took some coordination.
![Working with that many respondents took some coordination.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836633,width-700,height-525,imgsize-829547/working-with-that-many-respondents-took-some-coordination-.jpg)
Once someone responded to the ad, the photographers would either email or call them to get a sense of who they were.
![Once someone responded to the ad, the photographers would either email or call them to get a sense of who they were.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836632,width-700,height-525,imgsize-873919/once-someone-responded-to-the-ad-the-photographers-would-either-email-or-call-them-to-get-a-sense-of-who-they-were-.jpg)
Then they would decide which location would be best to shoot at.
![Then they would decide which location would be best to shoot at.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836631,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1296356/then-they-would-decide-which-location-would-be-best-to-shoot-at-.jpg)
That could be their place of business ...
![That could be their place of business ...](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836630,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1127060/that-could-be-their-place-of-business-.jpg)
... their home ...
![... their home ...](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836629,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1080678/-their-home-.jpg)
... or somewhere the subject practices a hobby or craft.
![... or somewhere the subject practices a hobby or craft.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836628,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1227098/-or-somewhere-the-subject-practices-a-hobby-or-craft-.jpg)
Some subjects simply chose where they spent most of their time.
![Some subjects simply chose where they spent most of their time.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836627,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1089252/some-subjects-simply-chose-where-they-spent-most-of-their-time-.jpg)
The idea was to capture the subject in the environment that best spoke to their personality or character.
![The idea was to capture the subject in the environment that best spoke to their personality or character.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836626,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1211935/the-idea-was-to-capture-the-subject-in-the-environment-that-best-spoke-to-their-personality-or-character-.jpg)
Many subjects let Kremer and Johnson decide where and what they wanted the shoot to be.
![Many subjects let Kremer and Johnson decide where and what they wanted the shoot to be.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836625,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1035870/many-subjects-let-kremer-and-johnson-decide-where-and-what-they-wanted-the-shoot-to-be-.jpg)
"I excepted there to be some serious assholes, like, 'Let's get this over with and give me my money,'" Kremer said.
!["I excepted there to be some serious assholes, like,](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836624,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1116393/i-excepted-there-to-be-some-serious-assholes-like-lets-get-this-over-with-and-give-me-my-money-kremer-said-.jpg)
But he said that was never the case.
![But he said that was never the case.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836623,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1207341/but-he-said-that-was-never-the-case-.jpg)
And in fact, out of the 65 people they ended up shooting, Kremer said only three took the offered compensation.
![And in fact, out of the 65 people they ended up shooting, Kremer said only three took the offered compensation.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836622,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1208203/and-in-fact-out-of-the-65-people-they-ended-up-shooting-kremer-said-only-three-took-the-offered-compensation-.jpg)
"People just wanted to tell their story, and they wanted to be part of something, period," Kremer said.
!["People just wanted to tell their story, and they wanted to be part of something, period," Kremer said.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836621,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1383332/people-just-wanted-to-tell-their-story-and-they-wanted-to-be-part-of-something-period-kremer-said-.jpg)
Kremer said he's photographed complete strangers before.
![Kremer said he](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836620,width-700,height-525,imgsize-980316/kremer-said-hes-photographed-complete-strangers-before-.jpg)
When he first started photographing people on the street for a previous project, he said he got pretty nervous.
![When he first started photographing people on the street for a previous project, he said he got pretty nervous.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836619,width-700,height-525,imgsize-947205/when-he-first-started-photographing-people-on-the-street-for-a-previous-project-he-said-he-got-pretty-nervous-.jpg)
"It's invasive," Kremer said.
!["It](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836618,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1153332/its-invasive-kremer-said-.jpg)
He said, in general, subjects are also a bit apprehensive at first, but they eventually warm up.
![He said, in general, subjects are also a bit apprehensive at first, but they eventually warm up.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836617,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1029776/he-said-in-general-subjects-are-also-a-bit-apprehensive-at-first-but-they-eventually-warm-up-.jpg)
"If you ask questions and listen and then give them reactions and make them understand that you are listening, you're gonna be met with open arms every time," Kremer said.
!["If you ask questions and listen and then give them reactions and make them understand that you are listening, you](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836616,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1189926/if-you-ask-questions-and-listen-and-then-give-them-reactions-and-make-them-understand-that-you-are-listening-youre-gonna-be-met-with-open-arms-every-time-kremer-said-.jpg)
He said getting people to talk was actually the easiest part of the whole project.
![He said getting people to talk was actually the easiest part of the whole project.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836615,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1427580/he-said-getting-people-to-talk-was-actually-the-easiest-part-of-the-whole-project-.jpg)
“Once you're with them and you ask them personal questions, it was shocking how open people are,” Kremer said.
![“Once you](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836614,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1194292/once-youre-with-them-and-you-ask-them-personal-questions-it-was-shocking-how-open-people-are-kremer-said-.jpg)
The hardest part of the project was tackling LA's chaotic traffic to get to a shoot.
![The hardest part of the project was tackling LA](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836613,width-700,height-525,imgsize-841245/the-hardest-part-of-the-project-was-tackling-las-chaotic-traffic-to-get-to-a-shoot-.jpg)
"Getting to that location at a specific time in Los Angeles, it's just not that easy," Kremer said.
!["Getting to that location at a specific time in Los Angeles, it](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836612,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1029701/getting-to-that-location-at-a-specific-time-in-los-angeles-its-just-not-that-easy-kremer-said-.jpg)
“To go 20 miles in LA is literally a couple hours," Kremer said.
![“To go 20 miles in LA is literally a couple hours," Kremer said.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836611,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1115870/to-go-20-miles-in-la-is-literally-a-couple-hours-kremer-said-.jpg)
And no matter where they go, he said there's a fair amount of camera gear and equipment to lug around.
![And no matter where they go, he said there](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836610,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1287029/and-no-matter-where-they-go-he-said-theres-a-fair-amount-of-camera-gear-and-equipment-to-lug-around-.jpg)
He said they wanted the lighting setup to be the same in each shoot.
![He said they wanted the lighting setup to be the same in each shoot.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836609,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1165239/he-said-they-wanted-the-lighting-setup-to-be-the-same-in-each-shoot-.jpg)
So working it into different locations was a challenge.
![So working it into different locations was a challenge.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836608,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1083152/so-working-it-into-different-locations-was-a-challenge-.jpg)
Like into a small bathroom to photograph a set of twins in a bathtub ...
![Like into a small bathroom to photograph a set of twins in a bathtub ...](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836607,width-700,height-525,imgsize-698290/like-into-a-small-bathroom-to-photograph-a-set-of-twins-in-a-bathtub-.jpg)
... or in the private mansion of a 62-year-old porn star and her husband.
![... or in the private mansion of a 62-year-old porn star and her husband.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836606,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1168154/-or-in-the-private-mansion-of-a-62-year-old-porn-star-and-her-husband-.jpg)
Kremer said she was one of his favorites to shoot.
![Kremer said she was one of his favorites to shoot.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836605,width-700,height-525,imgsize-990492/kremer-said-she-was-one-of-his-favorites-to-shoot-.jpg)
He also set up his gear in a convenience store in LA.
![He also set up his gear in a convenience store in LA.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836604,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1202356/he-also-set-up-his-gear-in-a-convenience-store-in-la-.jpg)
He and his subject, a realtor in the area, collectively decided to turn her into a "dirty ballerina."
![He and his subject, a realtor in the area, collectively decided to turn her into a "dirty ballerina."](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836603,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1268479/he-and-his-subject-a-realtor-in-the-area-collectively-decided-to-turn-her-into-a-dirty-ballerina-.jpg)
Her clothes were muddied, and she wore an exasperated expression on her face.
![Her clothes were muddied, and she wore an exasperated expression on her face.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836602,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1191114/her-clothes-were-muddied-and-she-wore-an-exasperated-expression-on-her-face-.jpg)
Kremer said that people from all walks of life responded to the ad.
![Kremer said that people from all walks of life responded to the ad.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836601,width-700,height-525,imgsize-750404/kremer-said-that-people-from-all-walks-of-life-responded-to-the-ad-.jpg)
Most were creative types, working in music, art, and photography fields ...
![Most were creative types, working in music, art, and photography fields ...](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836600,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1243638/most-were-creative-types-working-in-music-art-and-photography-fields-.jpg)
... but Kremer said their subjects occupied a variety of professions.
![... but Kremer said their subjects occupied a variety of professions.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836599,width-700,height-525,imgsize-953123/-but-kremer-said-their-subjects-occupied-a-variety-of-professions-.jpg)
"There were definitely some accountants, bankers, doctors, but overall it was across the board," Kremer said.
!["There were definitely some accountants, bankers, doctors, but overall it was across the board," Kremer said.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836598,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1022131/there-were-definitely-some-accountants-bankers-doctors-but-overall-it-was-across-the-board-kremer-said-.jpg)
He said his studio, Kremer Johnson, is known for capturing humorous characters.
![He said his studio, Kremer Johnson, is known for capturing humorous characters.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836597,width-700,height-525,imgsize-801468/he-said-his-studio-kremer-johnson-is-known-for-capturing-humorous-characters-.jpg)
According to the photographers' website, "character-based portraits and narrative-driven scenes are their thing."
![According to the photographers](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836596,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1359040/according-to-the-photographers-website-character-based-portraits-and-narrative-driven-scenes-are-their-thing-.jpg)
Source: Kremer Johnson
When people responded to the ad, he said he hoped they would fit that criteria.
![When people responded to the ad, he said he hoped they would fit that criteria.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836595,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1070599/when-people-responded-to-the-ad-he-said-he-hoped-they-would-fit-that-criteria-.jpg)
But if they didn't, that was OK.
![But if they didn](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836594,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1258840/but-if-they-didnt-that-was-ok-.jpg)
He said he just wanted to find and tell individual stories.
![He said he just wanted to find and tell individual stories.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836593,width-700,height-525,imgsize-941099/he-said-he-just-wanted-to-find-and-tell-individual-stories-.jpg)
And tapping into the "whole ecosystem that revolves around Craigslist" was a good way to do that.
![And tapping into the "whole ecosystem that revolves around Craigslist" was a good way to do that.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836592,width-700,height-525,imgsize-931181/and-tapping-into-the-whole-ecosystem-that-revolves-around-craigslist-was-a-good-way-to-do-that-.jpg)
"In the end, it's about who everyone is," Kremer said.
!["In the end, it](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836591,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1095125/in-the-end-its-about-who-everyone-is-kremer-said-.jpg)
Kremer said he still keeps in touch with many of this subjects.
![Kremer said he still keeps in touch with many of this subjects.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836590,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1181746/kremer-said-he-still-keeps-in-touch-with-many-of-this-subjects-.jpg)
He said the majority of them are appreciative.
![He said the majority of them are appreciative.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836589,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1216775/he-said-the-majority-of-them-are-appreciative-.jpg)
They just liked to be a part of it.
![They just liked to be a part of it.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66836588,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1120228/they-just-liked-to-be-a-part-of-it-.jpg)
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