Asking Strangers if I Could Take Their Portraits - 83rd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

I met Almost Willie at the 83rd Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota.

His real name is Tom, and he was a funeral director. He needed a change, so he started to grow a beard and sell cars.

In 1985, he went to a Halloween Party. A friend suggested, he add some white to his beard and go as Willie Nelson. Guess what?! He won the best costume and "Almost Willie" was born!

He's spent the last 38 years performing Willie's songs and traveling the world.

Almost Willie is so convincing that fans regularly mob him.

Tom was kind and gracious to me. I went to Sturgis to check it out and photograph interesting people. I walked past him and then decided to turn around and ask him if he would allow me to photograph him. We had this cool Sturgis flag behind him that was the perfect backdrop.

He gave me a solid start to ask others to allow me to photograph them. You may know that I'm quite an introvert.

So fun meeting and photographing people.

I’m naturally shy and definitely an introvert. I thought taking strangers’ portraits at the 83rd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota, would be scary and interesting. It definitely put me outside my comfort zone.

There were many strangers that I let slip by, and there were some that I dared to ask. Everyone said yes, except one person. Everyone was very nice.

My husband and I showed up one day before the Rally officially started. I wanted to miss the typical riff-raff that is notorious for this annual event.

I used a pancake lens called a Lensbaby 28 Trio.

Meet Charlie, a tattoo artist.

He is naturally a smiley type of guy. His Sesame Street Grouch "I Hate Everything" tattoo is an oxymoron to his demeanor.

I was fascinated by the tattoos on his neck as well. See the wings.

I learned that Tattoo shops are set up in every 3rd store. Artists travel great distances to be a part of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally to make bank. Many were at Sturgis for the first time.

So nice meeting people and learning a little bit about their stories.

I noticed there was a pop-up Hell's Angels storefront/headquarters.

I took a deep breath and went inside to ask if I could take someone's portrait.

Josh greeted me with a big smile and said he was doing A-MAZ-ZING!

He agreed to let me take his portrait by his motorcycle. I wanted to get the front and back of his jacket.

I asked how long he's been with the Hell's Angels. I learned he is new to the group. Josh drove from Spokane, WA.

Did you know, according to Wiki?

Hell's Angels is considered an organized crime syndicate. They started in 1948. To become a Hells Angels "prospect," candidates must have a valid driver's license, a motorcycle over 750cc, and the right combination of personal qualities.

It is said the club excludes child molesters and people who have applied to become police or prison officers.[76] Intravenous drug use is also forbidden among club members.[54] Members in North America must ride U.S.-built motorcycles; Harley-Davidson bikes are most common in the club, although other American brands, such as Victory and Indian, are also permitted.[77]

We all find different ways to be a part of a community.

Meet Bell (L) and Liz (Right). Bell drove up from Albuquerque, NM, and Liz drove up from Phoenix, AZ. Both were looking to work hard to make bank for the Rally. Bell gave me tips for going to the famous Balloon Fiesta this fall. Liz promised to use tiny needles if I decided to get my first tattoo.

Here’s what Liz wrote on my IG page about working at Sturgis

Being up at 9 am ready to tattoo till past 9 at night
It's hustling and getting people to get tattoos off the street that don't even know they want a tattoo
It's tattooing your ass off in this heat during a session, and sometimes you feel like you are overheating....
It's dealing with the Sturgis flys
It's finally being done for the night, but staying up to design for potential clients for the next day who may not come back
It's always having a smile on your face even though you're exhausted...
It's your feet, back, neck, wrist, hands hurting annnnnddddd you want to just lay down, but you can't because you have to be front and center at the shop because if you’re not you'll miss an opportunity to make money.
ITS WORK!
However...
It's now and will be one of my favorite events to look forward to every year.
I love our shop family here at Sturgis
I love the change of environment
I love the people you meet
It's a whole different world here for 2 weeks, and I wouldn't change a thing.
ITS MFKING STURGIS
❤️❤️❤️

This gentleman is one of the owners of a tattoo shop. He takes 50% of what the Tattoo Artists make.

He was moving around his scooter doing wheelies. I asked him about his rings. He said his ex-wife took his first set of gold rings to a pawn shop and got $150,000. He’s since remarried and had an artist design these rings to be even more intricate with dragons and snakes. I asked him, if he ever takes them off and he said no.

Looks like he can fit one more ring on his pinky finger.

Since living out west, I’m definitely tuned into turquoise. I’ve bought a few turquoise pieces too.

I had to have a picture of this guy’s rings and bracelets. They were gorgeous! I asked him if I could take a quick portrait as I liked his round glasses. He said sure and kept on walking.

Patches, T-shirts and crazy outfits abound!

I asked to take a few backs only as they tell a story as well. I liked how the gentleman on the left has a patch that says “No Club.”

The gentleman on the right owns 7 Indian Motorcycles and was proud to be hanging out at the Indian Dealership. Did you know that the Indian Motorcycle owners was what started this Sturgis annual event?

There was one big tent that was selling more than 800 previously-owned motorcycles. They said by the end of the Rally they would be down to 300 motorcycles.

Victor came from California to get a piece of the Tattoo Sturgis pie. He said he would sleep at the back of the tattoo shop on an air mattress with other people to keep his expenses down. If Victor owned a motorcycle, this is how I imagined it would look.

Me and Almost Willie with my Lensbaby 28 mm Trio. Thank you “Willie” for helping me get my start asking strangers to take their portraits. I’m glad I did it.