It’s commonly said that love is blind, but what happens when you take the blindfold off for the first time?

Bremerton photographer Kelsie Redenbaugh intends to capture the answer to that very question using an up-and-coming trend that pairs together two complete strangers for a short period of icebreaking photography and fun.

They are called Stranger Sessions, and alongside the interest of setting herself apart from other local photographers, Redenbaugh hopes to play a bit of matchmaking in the process.

“It’s a new way to meet people,” she said. “I didn’t think it would be a right away thing that I would get people, cause these new things may not peak people’s interests right away.”

“You see it online more nowadays,” said Redenbaugh’s husband Collin, who helped her look into the idea. “The biggest part about owning a small business is to be able to have that thing or multiple things that set you apart.”

Redenbaugh said over two dozen individuals inquired in the week or so she’s advertised the sessions, and more are anticipated to follow whether it’s out of an interest to find a new partner or even a new friend. “I’ve had a couple of people who’ve submitted the questionnaire saying that even if they can just make a friend out of it, that enough would be rewarding,” she said.

The session is the photographer’s equivalent to a blind date. Interested singles submit an online questionnaire that asks about their jobs, hobbies, personal interests and what they look for in a partner.

Redenbaugh said she will use the questionnaire answers to find potential matches and set up the session. “Even some who are maybe opposite,” she said. “Sometimes, opposites attract and everything. That was (me and Collin) with totally different backgrounds and everything like that.”

When paired up, the two individuals designated for each session start blindfolded before Redenbaugh gives the word to take off the eye covers. The individuals turn to meet their date for the first time, and the session begins.

Admittedly, it can and is expected to be a bit awkward and out of some people’s comfort zones. However, the back-and-forth, energetic nature of a photo session could play a key role in getting these strangers to become friends, get to a second date or at the very least, have a little fun. Redenbaugh even preps some of the questions herself to move along the conversational aspect.

“Of course, the people don’t know each other,” she said. “You keep them talking and interacting, just seeing how compatible they can be with one another.”

While the debut of the session offerings occurred in February around Kitsap County and beyond, Redenbaugh intends to boost the session’s popularity and keep it as a year-round option.