{"id":27958,"date":"2016-03-23T14:51:18","date_gmt":"2016-03-23T21:51:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=27958"},"modified":"2016-03-24T07:14:16","modified_gmt":"2016-03-24T14:14:16","slug":"street-style","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/03\/23\/street-style\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Shoot Street Style Photography"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"R0000517\"<\/p>\n

I grew up with hip-hop, R&B, and \u00e2\u20ac\u0153street culture.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Most of me and my buddies were kids up to no good\u00e2\u20ac\u201d constantly roaming the roads, riding our bikes, listening to hip hop, burning and remixing music, rolling around in my 1991 Sentra with 12\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Subwoofers.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

I also grew up quite poor\u00e2\u20ac\u201d so I could never afford the cool \u00e2\u20ac\u0153streetwear\u00e2\u20ac\u009d brands out there. Nike\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s were out of the question\u00e2\u20ac\u201d Adidas would have to do (funny enough, apparently Adidas is the cool brand).<\/p>\n

Anyways, I have always been drawn to street culture and street-wear, and I guess they call it \u00e2\u20ac\u0153street style\u00e2\u20ac\u009d nowadays (the cool kids probably call it something else, but that definition will have to do for now).<\/p>\n

How to approach \u00e2\u20ac\u0153fashionable\u00e2\u20ac\u009d strangers<\/h2>\n

\"R0000506\"<\/p>\n

I have always been drawn to interesting characters\u00e2\u20ac\u201d and people who dress in a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153street style\u00e2\u20ac\u009d manner are some of the most fascinating to me. I love the way they are able to mix & match all these different elements (sunglasses, hair, hats, tattoos, chains, shirts, pants, sneakers, etc) while also being comfortable.<\/p>\n

If you are the type of person where you are interested in others who are fashionable or rock \u00e2\u20ac\u0153street style\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u201d one of the easiest ways to approach someone and say, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Excuse me, I love your look. How would you describe your style?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Most people (even though they look pretentious) will be quite honored that you identified them and complimented them. By asking an open-ended question like: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153How would you describe your style?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d really opens up doors.<\/p>\n

For example, I just walked around Soho in NYC with Cindy, and there were a ton of kids waiting in front of the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Supreme\u00e2\u20ac\u009d store (camping out, waiting for a new season of clothes to drop, kind of how Apple fanboys camp out of the store for the new iPhone). Anyways, I saw some guys who looked really fashionable and I liked their vibe. I first passed them, and on the way back, I approached the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153leader\u00e2\u20ac\u009d of the group (who was dressed the most flashy of them all).<\/p>\n

I approached him and first asked him, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Pardon my ignorance, but what are y\u00e2\u20ac\u2122all waiting for?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d They kind of first laughed at my ignorance, but because I said \u00e2\u20ac\u0153pardon my ignorance\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u201d they were cool with me. I then followed-up by complimenting his style, and asked him to give me some street style 101 education. I asked him, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why is Supreme so hot, compared with other brands?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

He then got really interested and invested in the conversation, and told me how the guys who design for Supreme\u00e2\u20ac\u201d all they probably do is go through thrift stores, and re-purpose styles for the brand. If you have never heard the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Supreme\u00e2\u20ac\u009d brand (I knew of it, but don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know too much about it) they are the hottest streetwear\/skate brand at the moment (people will line up for days for their clothes).<\/p>\n

I then asked if I could make a few photos of him, and he was very willing. He put on a few poses, and I tried to catch some photos of him off-guard.<\/p>\n

Regardless if the photos are any good or not\u00e2\u20ac\u201d I loved my conversation and interaction with him. And if there is one thing I learned it is this: the importance of being curious, telling others that you are curious (and ignorant), and asking them to educate you<\/strong>. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t feel guilty for \u00e2\u20ac\u0153stealing\u00e2\u20ac\u009d someone\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s time\u00e2\u20ac\u201d rather; you are making them feel important, and contributing to their lives.<\/p>\n

My love\/hate with fashion<\/h2>\n

\"R0000503\"<\/p>\n

Honestly I think that fashion is a bit of a scam\u00e2\u20ac\u201d I do like how it helps people feel more confident in their own skin. I also like how people can express themselves through style. At the same time, I feel bad for all the kids (and adults) who are suckered into thinking that somehow buying a brand (expensive ones) will make them feel more loved by their peers and \u00e2\u20ac\u0153society.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

When I grew up as a kid, only the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153cool kids\u00e2\u20ac\u009d could afford Nike\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s and Jordan\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s. It was a social marker\u00e2\u20ac\u201d and a way of putting yourself in an ivory tower and bragging to your poorer friends.<\/p>\n

People who are dressed-up really well might look pretentious and unapproachable, but if you treat them with some curiosity, love, and warmth\u00e2\u20ac\u201d they will open up to you.<\/p>\n

Above all, try your best not to seem \u00e2\u20ac\u0153cool\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. The more out-of-touch and ignorant you seem, the more open they will be with you.<\/p>\n

Here are some other lines you can use on people who look fashionable on the streets as a way to open a door; and also to (eventually) ask permission to take a photograph of them:<\/p>\n