For the last seven years, photographer Richard Renaldi has gone to various parts of America to take portraits of strangers that make them look like friends, family members, or even lovers.

The point of the project, Renaldi says, is to show that strangers — often people who would never have contact outside of this photo series — can share an intimate moment. To achieve that effect, Renaldi hauls around a massive vintage camera with a hood he can disappear under. He uses the cumbersome camera for three reasons: 1) it takes incredible photographs, 2) it's a curiosity for most people who have never seen anything like it in person, and 3) it reminds people that they are sitting for a portrait.

Renaldi says the project has gotten an overwhelmingly positive response.



"Even people with no experience with art or photography are able to get what I'm doing and see the underlying message," Renaldi said. "It’s an accessible concept ... This connects all of us."

Renaldi shared a number of photos from the project, and you can see the rest in his new book, "Touching Strangers."