Tips for photographing strangers (without being creepy)

When I was a newbie in travel photography, I would try to create photos with as few people as possible. I would wait for crowds to move through so I could get the shot sans people. Friends would even comment “how did you get that...without any people?” when I’d show them pictures of busy or popular places. It was all about the patience.

But at some point I decided that people actually enhance travel photos. Why? They add context for one. Also when you’re in a place, you’re photographing the experience of that place, not just making pretty photos.

At least that’s how my photography evolved. From just making “wall worthy” photos to telling the story of my adventures...my experiences. And that includes...you guessed it, people.

It includes food, colors, architecture, moments between people, what people are wearing, how they move around, so many things. Everything you see is part of your experience when you travel. And part of what tells your story.

Which means...photographing people.

So I have a question for you. How do you feel about photographing people? Strangers, to be precise. 

Yeah I hear you. It can be a bit intimidating. Especially for those of us who identify as introverts. To walk up to a complete stranger and ask them “hey can I make your photo?” Eeee. Oooh. Uggh. So many feelings come up.

Do you ALWAYS have to ask permission? Good question. Let’s talk about that.

Chinatown, New York City

When you don’t have to ask permission

As we move deeper into this ‘photographing people’ discussion, there are a few caveats I need to mention. There are specific rules and even laws around photographing people, and they depend on whatever country or state you’re visiting. So make sure you know those before you venture off and start snapping away.

Secondly, what I discuss here are my guidelines, and not based on specific laws of any particular country. Just what I generally go by when I’m photographing.

OK, moving on.

If you’re taking a photo of a crowd of people in public, then no permission is generally necessary. I mean are you going to walk up to each person and say “hey is it ok if I make your picture?” No, you’re not. And generally there isn’t an assumption of privacy when people are out at a festival, or hanging out in a crowded park.

That said, it also depends on what you intend to do with your photos. If you are going to sell them, say to a stock site for advertising purposes, then you can’t use any photos of recognizable people without a model release. And in a crowd, that would be tough to get.

But for a blog, or social media, or a slideshow of your trip? Then people in a crowd in public are generally OK.

Just a normal day on the sidewalks of New York City. No expectation of privacy here!

Here’s another instance where I don’t ask permission. If the person is far enough away that I can take the photo discreetly and asking would be an imposition to them.

Let me clarify. If I’m across the street, and I’m making a photo of someone walking on the sidewalk (like this French lady returning home from the market) then I’ll go ahead and take the photo. I’m not close enough to gesture or ask without running across the street and interrupting her walk. So I don’t see it as invasive, and therefore I don’t ask permission in these situations.

A street portrait made in Toulouse, France. I was across the street so didn’t ask permission here.

When you should ask permission

If you have a zoom lens and can get right up in there for a personal shot without getting close, should you ask permission?

If you are standing close to someone and facing them and hold your camera up to take a picture, should you ask permission?

If you can take a picture on the sly, even though you’re pretty close, but the person isn’t aware you’re doing it...should you ask permission?

See this is where it all starts to get a little sticky. 

In my humble opinion, I think if the person sees you taking their picture, then the right thing to do is to ask permission. Now this doesn’t have to be formal, especially if you don’t speak the language. Sometimes it’s gesturing at your camera and smiling. If they smile back, then I take that as a “we’re all good here”.

If they frown or shake their head no? I put my camera down and move on. I mean there’s plenty of people in the world that do want their picture taken...no reason to be a jerk about it, right?

This lady I met while trekking in Peru. She spoke only Spanish. I spoke only English. But I gestured to my camera and shrugged my shoulders…she nodded and stood there for me to make my photo. I would not have made a photo this close-up without permission.

But sometimes the person doesn’t exactly make eye contact. Do I interrupt them from whatever they’re doing...even if I’m close by? I don’t. Should I? Maybe. But remember that introvert thing I mentioned. Yeah I’m one of those. So striking up a conversation with a complete stranger isn’t my favorite thing to do.

Now if they start the conversation, I’m happy to oblige and can jump right in there. But to be the first one to start? Ooh so hard for me. 

Which is one reason I signed up for a Street Portrait photography workshop with Jennifer Spelman at Santa Fe Workshops. Our assignments included making photos of strangers. Yep, wander around Santa Fe, walk up to complete strangers, and ask if we could please, pretty please, make their picture. 

Talk about busting out of my comfort zone! But you know what? I did it! And I came back with some pretty interesting photos. And a new-found confidence in approaching people for photography.

So yes, I do think the right thing to do is ask permission if you’re making a close-up photo or street portrait of someone. In some vague way, point to your camera, smile and see what kind of reaction you get. Even for us introverts, that's doable. And if you’re feeling brave, then strike up a conversation. Let me tell you from experience, you meet some fascinating people and get some really interesting photos. (see Don from Santa Fe for reference)

This is Don, one of the characters who was happy to have his picture taken in Santa Fe. This is after he asked “do you want me to look mean?” Of course I said absolutely.

Why it’s worth it

If you have to push yourself a bit and actually talk to strangers...or do the point and smile thing? I highly recommend you give yourself a little nudge and give it a try.

Why? 

Because your photos will be so much richer for it. And not just your photos, but the story your photos tell.

Now instead of the backs of people’s heads (because you were too shy to ask) you’ll get faces. And faces are what give your photos emotion, character, and more interest.

And if there’s a conversation behind that face? Well then all the better. That will create a lasting memory that only enriches all your travel experiences. 

And wherever we’re afraid of something, but push through and do it anyway...well there’s just a sense of accomplishment. When you look back at your photos of street portraits that you created in Croatia, or New Zealand...you’ll be so proud of yourself for getting out there and doing it. Even though it scared you.

Street musician in Barcelona

How to get started

Here’s my suggestion. Start practicing locally. And start REALLY locally - with friends and relatives. People you’re comfortable asking to practice with. That way, you’ll get better in general with making photos of people.

Once you have your captive audience (kids, spouse, neighbor) then get out your camera and give it a whirl. Think about how the light hits the person (let’s call her Beatrice) and how you stand in relation to her as you’re composing your photos.

Have Beatrice walk so you can practice making photos of people in motion (remember to pay attention to your shutter speed here).

Also think about your aperture. For portraits, if you want to really emphasize the person’s face or expression, then a shallow depth of field might be nice - say f/4. 

Now if you want the person in context with all their surroundings, then a deeper depth of field, like f/16 or 18 could be what you’re looking for. Just remember, with a deep depth of field, if you have a complicated scene...sometimes your star (Beatrice) might get lost in the chaos. 

And this is why it’s good to practice with some family and friends. So you can get comfortable with depth of field, lighting, how you stand in relation to your subject, what angle you shoot from...all of that. 

If you try this stuff out on a stranger right off the bat, I can guarantee you’ll be nervous and end up with a blurry close-up photo of a nose. 

Street portrait, New York City

Hopefully that gives you some inspiration and guidance to get out there and start creating some photographs of people. Now if the aperture or shutter speed discussion made your head spin a little bit, don’t forget I have a training that can help you through that - Camera Settings For the Not-So-Tech-Savvy Traveler. Click here to check out the details.

This blog post was inspired by all the wonderful photos that our Facebook group, PhotoFluent Travelers posted as part of our June challenge: strangers. If you’d like to participate in our monthly challenges with us, and be inspired by other creative travelers...join us!