How to photograph strangers

I love street photography, especially capturing candid moments of people going about their daily lives. I rarely ask anyone to pose for a shot. Occasionally, people notice the camera and instinctively pose, but those images often feel less authentic to me. Candid photos of strangers tell a richer, more compelling story about a place than simply photographing its landmarks or scenery.

For example, in the photograph above, the meditating girl at the end of the pier immediately conveys a sense of peace, inviting reflection and introspection. Without her presence, the photo wouldn’t fully capture that same depth or message.

Candid picture of a young woman at a local event. 

Usually, when people notice you’ve taken their photo, they just smile. They often feel flattered that you found something interesting about them.

Street vendors at Roatan, Honduras.

A young woman posing for a photographer when she noticed me taking her picture.

Here is an article from a National Geography Photographer about this topic.