Fears of Photographing Strangers

Many of my students are concerned about how to overcome fears of photographing strangers? In which it turns to be their main problem. And instead of developing their skills or improving their artistic vision, they focus on their fears. Eventually it becomes a mission.

Fears are normal. We are humans and it is a part of our nature. When we approach a stranger on the street, take their picture and get them annoyed, we get annoyed too! Keeping a distance -of respect- is crucial. No one appreciates when a stranger comes very close them. Imagine that everyone in the community has their own private circle (personal space) around 1.5 meters in diameter. We always wanna keep it clear for our security and comfort.

Keep in mind that in order to impose with your camera you need to be calm and smooth like a dancer. Show that you’re coming with peace and love. Be polite and nice. Don’t provoke others with fast movements. No need to be a blunt. Be confident, not arrogant. Don’t trigger their alerts by showing up scared. Avoid any tension. Just be a dancer.

Some photographers, in order to overcome their fears, they get trapped in their fears. Your mission is definitely not to go out with your camera to confront strangers or to point your camera in someone’s face. Your purpose is simply to take good pictures and enjoy the whole process. Don’t turn your passion into a load on your shoulder. We do not need this sort of complexity when creating art. Channel your fears into real practice to conquer them. Be practical! Think about what you want to photograph? Why you want to photograph it? And how you want your subjects to look like? This where to start.

Think about a place and time. Explore what’s going on? Pick your shooting spots carefully. Take your time to think and plan. Manage your time properly. Avoid procrastination. Keep a notebook on you all the time. A physical one. Journal ideas and thoughts. When you get in action gather your thoughts up in your head, design how to place your subject in the frame and how to arrange you composition to have an overall pleasing scene. What’s around your subject? What is in the foreground and background? Do you need to wait for something to come up / Is your composition well balanced? Decide the moment, hit the button!

Put your effort in the manner to keep yourself active and steady! Practice small shooting tasks to maintain a fair pace for your workflow. Look at good works by other photographers. Go to exhibitions, buy/borrow photo books and limit the time you spend on social media. Create a cohesive portfolio and keep editing it. When you adhere to this practical approach, it will instinctively help you to control your fears and tension when on the street.

Good luck!