10 Things Street Photographers Can Learn from Pickup Artists

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Neil Strauss, author of “The Game”

I was talking to one of my buddies today about street photography and how much mental training it required for someone to feel comfortable shooting in the streets. He then saw me shooting on the streets and noticed the way I interacted with my subjects was often similar to that of “pickup artists” as described in Neil Strauss’ best-seller “The Game“. For those of you who are not familiar with the book, the author learns how to seduce women with certain techniques and strategies and documents them. Although the book may sound misogynist, it is more about psychology and a biography than anything else. Also as a note, I quoted an Amazon review of the book to come up with the ten points. Enjoy!

1. Be prepared to fail

Lost in the Crowd

When shooting street photography, prepare to fail getting an image of them. There are times when you see “the decisive moment” unfolding right before your eyes but will not be able to capture that. Even when I am shooting an entire day of street photography, I often miss many photo opportunities and expect myself to realistically only get one or two “keepers.” Don’t be afraid of failing when shooting street photography. Just go out there and do it.

2. Exude extreme confidence

The Godfather

When shooting street photography, it is important to be confident when you are shooting. Don’t cower and be sneaky when you are shooting street photography, but be open and let others be aware that you are shooting them. This way people will feel less suspicious of you when you are shooting them–as your extreme confidence will probably portray to others that you are a professional.

3. Pretend like you don’t notice her

Untitled

When shooting your subject, pretend like you don’t notice them at first. When you see your subject from afar this will allow you to get close to your subject before shooting them. This will prevent any objections from your subject, and prevent them from even putting their hand in your face when shooting really closely.

4. Win over her friends

Showing Off

When I am shooting street photography and see a group, I make sure to smile when shooting and saying “thank you” after shooting them. This way the group of people I am shooting feel more comfortable around me. If I shoot one person in a group of many as long as the group accepts what I am doing, the person will accept it as well.

5. Be hard to get

Eye For an Eye

If you are nervous of shooting street photography in public, make sure to shoot in public and crowded areas. This gives people less of an opportunity to confront you after shooting them. If you are at a crowded festival or street, people won’t be able to chase you after you take their images (although they rarely ever do).

6. Be fun

Santa Monica

When shooting street photography, make sure to have fun. Switch up your approach. Before you shoot someone smile or say hi. You can also try asking people for permission when shooting them. Or you can shoot them and then say “thank you” after shooting them. Try different angles, different focal lengths, and cameras. Experiment and have a blast!

7. Handle challenges from competing men intellectually and psychologically. Never fight.

Dukes Up!

When we shoot street photography, it is a fact that others will see us as weird and strange. Accept the fact that this is how “ordinary people” will shoot street photography and don’t let it hold you back. There are often times when strangers when we shoot will confront us and tell us that they don’t appreciate you taking photos of them. Always keep a smile on your face and be courteous. If people want you to delete their photo, delete it and apologize and simply move on.

8. Respond to any signs that she’s not interested as if it were “no big deal”

Glance

When shooting strangers there are times they will give you weird looks or stares. Don’t take it personally, just carry on and keep shooting.

9. Once you have your target’s attention, playfully insult her

Headlock

If you shoot your subjects and they object to you doing so, be playful and joke around with them. If they ask you why you are shooting them, tell them that you want to make them world-famous. You can even stick out your hand and say, “That will be ten dollars” after shooting their photo. People react positively when you joke around with them in a playful manner.

10. Once attraction has been established, punish any unwanted behavior by withdrawing and disinterest, but do not pout or have an attitude.

Sweep That Frown Upside Down

If people you shoot react positively, show them the photo you took of them in your LCD screen (if you shoot digital) or even give them a business card and offer to send them their photo. If people react negatively to you when you shoot them, show disinterest by suggesting the photo you took wasn’t of them but of something else.

Want to overcome your fear of shooting street photography? I am hosting a street photography workshop July 30-31st in Los Angeles and still have 3 spots open. Click here to find out more information!

What other tips would you add to this list? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below!