Street Portraits with Confidence: Overcoming the Fear of Asking
Hello, and thanks for coming to have a read. This isn’t a long one, but I felt it was valuable enough to jot down in the hopes it may help someone else.
One thing I’ve noticed lately in my photography is the human element in my captures, from candid moments in the streets to showing the scale of a building or place.
One of those moments you have to see to believe.
Using the human element to show the scale of the Singapore Super Trees
Recently, though, I’ve been trying to overcome a “fear”, if you want to call it that, of asking people for their portrait. There are three factors that have always stopped me:
The fear of being turned down or rejected.
Feeling like a nuisance for asking—you know, because they might feel put out or are on a busy schedule. “Why would they say yes to me, a stranger?”
I think I’m a little introverted at times (which proves challenging when it comes to social situations).
This photo, for example, proved I was overthinking it and that its all in my head. This is Vikram, a busy concierge staff member at the famous Raffles Hotel, and he was overjoyed when I approached and politely asked if I could take his portrait. His face lit up, he made sure his uniform was tidy, and his moustache was in tip-top shape.
Vikram, Raffles Hotel
It still took me a good 10-15 minutes to ask him though, because I overthought it. “Surely he’s too busy,” “He’s going to say no,” “What if security comes?” As soon as I asked him though, all of that disappeared. And I’m so glad I did.
A group of people sit quietly in the Meditation garden of the Flower Dome.
As a whole, the People of Singapore, and those that i did manage to capture made this visit even more memorable.
The warmness of the people of Singapore is like no other.
One evening, I was in Chinatown, capturing the scenes and taking in the smells and sounds. This gentleman saw me taking photos and flagged me down. Instantly, I started overthinking: “I’ve done something wrong.” But he was genuinely just curious about what I was photographing, where I was from, and if I was enjoying my stay in Singapore. It turned out to be the perfect opportunity to take his portrait, a keepsake of a lovely memory from a friendly and curious local.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that, to overcome hesitation or overthinking, you just have to go for it. Practice in the field, you won’t know otherwise, and you’ll miss shots (which I’ve definitely done in the past). And sure, you might get turned down, and that’s completely fine too. But I’m willing to bet you’ll find more people thrilled that you want to take their portrait than not.
Tips for Building Confidence in Street Portraits
Start with Friends or Family: Practice asking people you know to pose for you. It helps you get comfortable giving gentle direction and shooting portraits.
Try Using Nonverbal Cues: Try smiling, making eye contact, and holding your camera visibly to signal your intent before asking.
Bigger Citys = Easier: You’ve probobally heard this before, but the bigger and busier the city is, the easier it is to not only bend in, but to photograph people.
Prepare a Friendly Intro: Have a quick intro ready, something like:
“Hi! I’m working on a photo project and would love to take your portrait. It’ll only take a second—would that be okay?” Showing them your previous photos or instagram can increase the likelyhood of them agreeing also.Accept Rejection Gracefully: If they say no, smile and thank them anyway. The more you do this, the easier it gets.
Reflect After Each Attempt: Whether successful or not, take a moment to note what went well or what you could do differently next time.
Be Safe: Always listen to your gut. Stay aware of your surroundings and approach each interaction with respect for both yourself and the person you're photographing. Shooting with a friend can add a layer of safety and confidence. And above all, don’t take unnecessary risks or put yourself in situations that feel unsafe.
Have Fun: At the end of the day, this should be enjoyable. These moments can lead to great stories, beautiful images, and even unexpected friendships.
If you’ve reach then end then hopefully you’ve enjoyed this read and my waffling. and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me on here or on my Instagram.
Thanks
Cameron