{"id":33132,"date":"2016-12-29T02:06:43","date_gmt":"2016-12-29T10:06:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=33132"},"modified":"2016-12-30T14:57:04","modified_gmt":"2016-12-30T22:57:04","slug":"how-to-shoot-street-portraits-with-permission","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/12\/29\/how-to-shoot-street-portraits-with-permission\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Shoot Street Portraits With Permission"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"NYC,
NYC, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If there is one genre of street photography I specialize in, it is \u00e2\u20ac\u0153street portraiture.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

I love talking with my subjects, engaging with them, and focusing on their faces. If I started shooting street portraits all over again, this is the advice I would give myself:<\/p>\n

1. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t hesitate<\/h2>\n
\"Melbourne,
Melbourne, 2016<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Avoid all regrets. If you see someone even moderately interesting that you want to photograph, approach them and ask for permission. It is better to ask and get rejected, than to never ask in the first place.<\/p>\n

Assignment: Approach people who you think will say \u00e2\u20ac\u0153no\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/h3>\n

\"eric-kim-street-photography-kodak-tri-x-1600-1462\"<\/p>\n

The problem in life is that we seek to avoid<\/em> getting rejected\u00e2\u20ac\u201d never do we seek<\/em> to get rejected.<\/p>\n

As an assignment, go out into the streets with your camera, and try to intentionally get 10 strangers to reject you. Approach people who you think look \u00e2\u20ac\u0153mean\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and unapproachable. Tell them what you find interesting about them, and ask to make their portrait.<\/p>\n

You can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t stop until you get 10 rejections. Then observe and learn how hard it actually is to get 10 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153no\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.<\/p>\n

2. Smile<\/h2>\n
\"Seattle,
Seattle, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As human beings, we are naturally suspicious of one another. In prehistoric times, one wrong look could have meant life or death.<\/p>\n

However we are fortunate in today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s world\u00e2\u20ac\u201d we won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get killed by a neighboring tribe if we give them a wrong look (unless, unfortunately, you live in some ghettos or crime-ridden areas).<\/p>\n

For the most part, street photography is tame. What is the best way to make your subject feel more comfortable? Simple \u00e2\u20ac\u201d just smile.<\/p>\n

In psychology, there is something called \u00e2\u20ac\u0153mirror neurons\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. The concept is that as humans, we mimic the behavior of others. Therefore, if someone smiles at you, you are genetically pre-wired to smile back.<\/p>\n

There is nothing better than a smile. Better yet, even a smile from a stranger.<\/p>\n

A smile will elevate your mood, make you feel more confident, and connected with society. Most people (it seems) walk around with a frown on their face by default (myself included). But whenever I encounter people, I try to give them a huge smile whenever possible. And that shifts their perception of me. What was initially a suspicious look, turns into an equally-enthusiastic smile.<\/p>\n

Assignment: Click, smile, and say \u00e2\u20ac\u0153thank you\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/h3>\n
\"NYC,
NYC, 2016<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For your assignment, if you want to shoot candid street photos, just take a photo of a stranger, click, smile, and say \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Thank you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Then afterwards<\/em> once you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve caught their attention, approach them closer, and ask for permission to make their portrait.<\/p>\n

\"1-contact-braids-nyc\"<\/p>\n

The benefit of this approach: you get both<\/em> a candid photo, as well as a portrait with permission. This helps you \u00e2\u20ac\u0153kill two birds with one stone.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

3. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Make\u00e2\u20ac\u009d a photo, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t \u00e2\u20ac\u0153take\u00e2\u20ac\u009d a photo<\/h2>\n
\"NYC,
NYC, 2016<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The words you use matter. Especially when it comes to shooting street portraits.<\/p>\n

For example, ask yourself, what is the difference between these two questions:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Excuse me sir, do you mind if I take<\/em> your photo?<\/li>\n
  • Excuse me sir, do you mind if I make<\/em> your photo?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    For me, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153take\u00e2\u20ac\u009d sounds forceful. It seems aggressive. It seems suspicious.<\/p>\n

    \"1-contact-old-black-lady\"<\/p>\n

    However \u00e2\u20ac\u0153make\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is more curious. It sounds more creative, open, and collaborative. Many Europeans say \u00e2\u20ac\u0153make a photo\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (not take a photo \u00e2\u20ac\u201d perhaps this is what makes a lot of European photographers more creative than American photographers).<\/p>\n

    4. Make a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153portrait\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, not make a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153photo\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/h2>\n
    \"Downtown
    Downtown LA, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Not only that, but change the word \u00e2\u20ac\u0153photo\u00e2\u20ac\u009d into \u00e2\u20ac\u0153portrait\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.<\/p>\n

    To continue from our past example, what is the difference between:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Excuse me sir, do you mind if I make your photo<\/em>?<\/li>\n
    • Excuse me sir, do you mind if I make your portrait<\/em>?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      To me, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153photo\u00e2\u20ac\u009d sounds like you just want to take a snapshot. A \u00e2\u20ac\u0153photo\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is something you just upload to Facebook. A \u00e2\u20ac\u0153photo\u00e2\u20ac\u009d seems unintentional, and perhaps a bit touristy.<\/p>\n

      However a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153portrait\u00e2\u20ac\u009d sounds more intentional, artistic, and considered. Artists paint portraits. And very few people have proper \u00e2\u20ac\u0153portraits\u00e2\u20ac\u009d of themselves.<\/p>\n

      Assignment: Shift your vocabulary<\/h3>\n
      \"Downtown
      Downtown LA, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      So for your assignment, when it comes to shooting street portraits, change your vocabulary.<\/p>\n

      Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t say \u00e2\u20ac\u0153take\u00e2\u20ac\u009d a photo\u00e2\u20ac\u201d say \u00e2\u20ac\u0153make\u00e2\u20ac\u009d a photo.<\/p>\n

      \"1-la-sweat-contact\"<\/p>\n

      And don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t say make a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153photo\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d say make a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153portrait.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

      Try experimenting this approach with your subjects, and see how they respond differently.<\/p>\n

      5. Make your subject part of the portrait-making session<\/h2>\n
      \"SF,
      SF, 2016<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      I feel the most beautiful part of shooting street portraits is how you can collaborate with your subjects. You can make them part of the portrait-making session. You don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t just steal their soul by taking a quick snapshot, and running away.<\/p>\n

      How do you make your subject part of the portrait-making process? Some ideas:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • Ask your subject: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What is your good side?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/li>\n
      • If your subject is feeling stiff, ask them to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153jump up and down\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (this will make them laugh, and allow some blood to flow in their body)<\/li>\n
      • After making a portrait of your subject, show them your LCD screen and ask them which version they prefer the best<\/li>\n
      • Offer to email them the portrait, or perhaps even print and mail it to them<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Assignment: Have your own portrait made<\/h3>\n
        \"Downtown
        Downtown LA, 2011<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

        I learned this assignment from Sara Lando \u00e2\u20ac\u201d if you want to learn how to make your subjects feel more comfortable, learn how to be on the other side of the camera.<\/p>\n

        That means, hire a professional photographer to make your portrait.<\/p>\n

        Learn how they make you feel comfortable. Figure out what makes you feel uncomfortable. Then treat your subject how you would like to be treated (or how you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t<\/em> want to be treated).<\/p>\n

        6. Compliment your subject<\/h2>\n
        \"LA,
        LA, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

        Nobody hates being complimented. As humans, we are vain, egotistic, and into ourselves.<\/p>\n

        I love complimenting others\u00e2\u20ac\u201d because it is free. And it uplifts, encourages, and makes people happy.<\/p>\n

        What you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to do is give people false or fake compliments. People have a good B.S. meter \u00e2\u20ac\u201d so always make sure your compliments are genuine.<\/p>\n

        But the key is to tell your subject why<\/em> you want to photograph them. The reason you approach a subject is because you find something unique or interesting about them. So don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be shy \u00e2\u20ac\u201d compliment what you find interesting about them.<\/p>\n

        Assignment: Compliment everyone for one small thing (for an entire day)<\/h3>\n
        \"Istanbul,
        Istanbul, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

        For an entire day, compliment each person you meet. It can be small \u00e2\u20ac\u201d compliment them on their earrings, their tattoos, their haircut, their outfit, their smile, their friendliness, or something else.<\/p>\n

        Make it a habit to compliment others. It will uplift them, uplift you, and help you build a stronger bond with them.<\/p>\n

        7. Hang out with your subject longer than you think you should<\/h2>\n
        \"SF,
        SF, 2016<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

        Most people are lonely, and lacking human contact. Even in big cities\u00e2\u20ac\u201d we are constantly surrounded by people, but we feel alienated. Most of us just want someone to talk to, and share our life story with.<\/p>\n

        Yet we make the mistake of thinking that everyone else is always busy, and hates to talk. The truth is, we love to talk, socialize, and be human.<\/p>\n

        The mistake we also make in street photography is that when we approach a stranger, we want to quickly take their portrait, and move on. Because we feel guilty for \u00e2\u20ac\u0153wasting their time.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

        Shift your perception. Think that you are adding value to their lives\u00e2\u20ac\u201d that you are making their mundane days more interesting.<\/p>\n

        Think about it\u00e2\u20ac\u201d if you approach a stranger to make their portrait, compliment them, and chat with them \u00e2\u20ac\u201d you will not only make their day, but you will have a great story for them to tell their friends and family.<\/p>\n

        For example, I was once making a portrait of this amazing woman, and someone called her. She picked up her phone, and said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t believe what happened to me! I was just walking in the streets, and this strangers approached me to take my<\/em> photo! He thinks I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m someone famous or something! Haha!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

        There are millions of people out there \u00e2\u20ac\u201d by singling out one individual \u00e2\u20ac\u201d you are telling them that they are unique, special, and one-of-a-kind.<\/p>\n

        Assignment: Shift your perception<\/h3>\n
        \"London,
        London, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

        Approaching a stranger to make their portrait is a compliment. Keep that in mind.<\/p>\n

        Also when possible, try to stick around with your subject as long as possible. Keep asking them open-ended questions, and make portraits while they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re talking. When shooting street portraits, try to take at least 10 photos. Some of my best photos required me to take nearly 100 photos of them.<\/p>\n

        8. Ask your subject open-ended questions<\/h2>\n
        \"New
        New Orleans, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

        Going to the prior point\u00e2\u20ac\u201d sometimes you approach strangers to make their portrait, and they say \u00e2\u20ac\u0153yes.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d When they say \u00e2\u20ac\u0153yes\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u201d they often ask you, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153So, what do you want me to do?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

        As a default answer, I will tell them: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Can you just look into the lens, and don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t smile?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d This makes the photo look more natural.<\/p>\n

        What I also like to do is to ask them open-ended questions like:<\/p>\n