Street photography can be a thrilling experience, but for an introvert like me, approaching strangers for portraits can be tricky. There's always that moment of hesitation—the “What if they say no?” question echoing in my mind. But when I do muster the courage, the rewards are self-evident.
I’ve experimented with street portraiture in a few different settings. Local restaurants and artsy neighborhoods are always easier--people are more relaxed and the creative types seem more open to the idea of being photographed, which makes it easier to work up the nerve to ask. And then there’s Balboa Park
in San Diego. With its stunning architecture, beautiful gardens, and diverse visitors, it’s a goldmine for capturing striking portraits. On my Instagram, I call these sets, "Stranger Shots."
The first time I ever approached someone for a street portrait, however, was in an artsy part of Escondido, a small town north of San Diego proper. Joe, who is featured on this post, was with his girlfriend selling crafts at a booth during Christmastime.
The friends I was with and I had been chatting with him and so I told him I loved his jacket, mentioned that I was a photographer, and asked if I could take his portrait. To my surprise, he said yes, and the resulting photo turned out beautifully. It’s still one of my favorite shots, not just because of how it looks but because of what it represents—a step forward in my photography journey.
That experience was a turning point, pushing me to pursue portrait photography with more confidence and passion. DTP
