10 Portraits Of Random Strangers Before & After Photographer Kissed Them

Published 7 years ago

While most people attended this year’s Roskilde Festival in Denmark for the music and the vibe, photographer Johanna Siring had another thing in mind, and that was taking photos of strangers before and after kissing them.

The New York-based Norwegian artist turned these shots into a series called “Kiss A Stranger,” through which she’s trying to make a meaningful and even transformative connection with strangers: “By creating new relationships and learning about the thoughts and ideas of strangers, we might be able to build bridges and combat ignorance and judgement,” Johanna told i-D.

The photographer would approach her subject of any gender or race to take the first portrait and then would explain her idea before kissing them. Amazingly, people drop their consciously created roles and just become themselves. And there might even be some scientific facts behind this: “Kissing sparks all the nerve endings in your lips,” Johanna explains, “causing a release of dopamine and a surge in oxytocin. It’s an instantaneous stress reliever and creates an immediate emotional bond between two people.”

Would you be game for the same offer? Let’s discuss in the comments!

More info: Johanna Siring | instagram | facebook (h/t: i-D, boredpanda)