Greg Murray is capturing the true essence of Cleveland through the people who live and work here. As an HR manager and amateur photographer, Murray has set out to capture 100 of Cleveland’s most interesting characters on film for a portrait album he began on August 11.

“I love Cleveland and thought it would be a fun project to undertake,” says Murray. “Our people make our city what it is, so it was an easy choice to focus the project around the people of this city and Northeast Ohio.”

Born and raised in Cleveland, Murray spent seven years in Chicago and Atlanta before returning in 2007. He now has a new appreciation for the city.

“I have a huge amount of passion for our city. I like to support it and show it off with my photography,” he says. “This project is just one way of doing that. We’re nothing without the people that make this city what it is.”

Murray has about 15 portraits in his collection so far, and hopes to add two or three new images each week. His favorite so far is of Samad Samad, a street performer in Ohio City

If given the opportunity to photograph anyone -- living or dead -- Murray goes the political route with Stephanie Tubbs Jones and Dennis Kucinich. “She loved Cleveland and the people she represented," he says of Tubbs Jones. "She was truly an amazing woman. I’d really like to capture Dennis Kucinich. He’s such an interesting person.”

But mostly, Murray wants to shoot average Clevelanders who make the city special. “In the end, I'm not only searching for notable Clevelanders,” he says. “I'm looking for everyday people that call the area their home, are passionate about our city, have a story, or whose work is to continue to make Cleveland a great place."

Source: Greg Murray
Writer: Karin Connelly