The Top 3 Spots in D.C. for Street Photography by Robert Trejo

When I was in Washington D.C., I bumped into Robert Trejo, a passionate strettog. I asked him for personal recommendations on shooting street photography in D.C., and here are his personal recommendations:

Enter Robert Trejo

Robert: Hi Everyone,

It can be very easy to overlook the opportunities our nation’s capital has to offer for Street Photography, because it is often overshadowed by the politics, national monuments, tourists and by the Big Apple. Many people do not associate D.C. as a great location for Street Photography, and this is exactly what makes it such a gem. There is still so much creativeness to be discovered. I wanted to share three of my go-to spots I recommend to my photography friends when shooting in D.C.

Union Station

Union Station is a major transportation hub connecting D.C. to Baltimore, Philadelphia, NYC, and Boston. It is the perfect location when it comes to combining architecture, shadows and busy travelers. All these components will open a lot of creative opportunities for your photography. Whether it is right outside the main entrance, near the metro exit or inside the building… you’re guaranteed to find a variety of subjects.

Nearest Metro Station: Union Station Metro (Red line)

Whereto eat: Shake Shack. 
On a budget? Make your way to the food court located downstairs.

Chinatown

The Gallery Place-Chinatown metro station serves the Verizon Center, National Portrait Gallery and a multitude of restaurants. You will find a wide range of subjects, artificial and natural lighting, and it is often heavily congested with foot traffic. I recommend working this spot towards the latter part of the day where you’re most likely to find a wider range of subjects and the lighting and shadows can bemore beneficial to you. 

Definitely visit the Diane Arbus Exhibit located inside the National Portrait Gallery.

Nearest Metro Station: Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro (Red, Green and Yellow lines)

Whereto eat: DAIKAYA. 
On a budget? Chinatown Express.

International Square (18th/I St NW)

This is an area you must explore when photographing in D.C., and perfect if you are looking for a tourist free spot. I recommend you walk a 2-3 block radius around International Square, finding the rhythm and the scenes that best fit you. You should work this location around 12pm when it’s overflowing with the lunch crowd.

Nearest Metro Station: Farragut West Metro (Blue, Orange and Silver lines).

Whereto eat: Founding Farmers, or Nando’s Peri-Peri. 
On a budget? Wawa.

Best of luck!
Robert Trejo

About Robert Trejo

I’VE BEEN FORTUNATE TO HAVE LIVED IN OVER A DOZEN COUNTRIES, TO INCLUDE IRAQ, THAILAND AND GREECE. EACH NEW CULTURE AND COLLECTION OF WILD EXPERIENCES HAVE SHAPED MY PERSPECTIVE TO WHAT IT IS TODAY. TO DATE I ENJOY IMMERSING MYSELF IN THE CITY WITH ITS PEOPLE.

I CONTINUE TO MAKE PHOTOGRAPHS DAILY IN WASHINGTON, D.C. I WALK THE STREETS WITH INTENT BUT UNDERSTAND THAT MY GUT AND LUCK MAKE A LARGE CONTRIBUTION TO MY ART. MY GOAL IS NEVER TO DISTURB THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH I WORK IN BUT TO MAKE HONEST OBSERVATIONS BASED ON MY PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE STREET PHOTOGRAPHER SHOULD BE REINFORCING STEREOTYPES, BUT IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STREET PHOTOGRAPHER TO ARRANGE THE PARTS OF A FAMILIAR OR MUNDANE MOMENT INTO A UNIQUE AND INTERESTING COMPOSITION.

ROBERT TREJO