Tips for Photographing Strangers

The most difficult part of photographing strangers is knowing how to make them feel comfortable enough to trust you. The key is to be friendly, approachable, and honest. Here are some of our favorite tips for making strangers feel relaxed and comfortable in front of the camera.

Make eye contact.

If you can make eye contact and smile, you’re halfway there. Even if the stranger doesn’t smile back, a small spark of interest is good enough. Look to see what interests them—maybe they’re reading a magazine, working on their laptop, watching a film on a tablet. They might even be listening to music, using headphones. As you look at them, they might look back.

If it’s a busy place, try waiting until they’ve had a chance to settle down.

Let the stranger know you’re there for them.

Don’t stand in the way, but make it easy for them to get close. Move closer, say hello. Say “Hey, do you mind?” and try to make the stranger feel comfortable. You can ask them if you can take photos of them or not.

Offer to take their photo.

If they decline, then it’s probably fine, but if they say yes, ask if they’d like to pose for you. Try to find a natural position, like looking directly into the camera, or just off to the side. If they do say no, it’s probably for a reason. Ask if you can explain why you’re taking their picture.

Avoid being pushy.

Do make sure you’ve got a good reason to photograph the person—you’re probably not going to win a competition. If you’re taking photos for your portfolio, make sure it’s something you genuinely want to show off.

Other tips

  • People generally like being photographed, especially if they are wearing an outfit they like.
  • Don’t show people’s faces if they don’t want. This is considered rude in many cultures.
  • Don’t touch the subject.
  • If you are photographing someone you don’t know, introduce yourself and ask permission. You can explain to them the reason why you are taking photos of them. For example, you can say that you are a street photographer and you would like to take photos for your project and porfolio.
  • Don’t photograph people while they are asleep.
  • Don’t photograph children if you don’t ask for their permission and their parents.
  • Photograph animals and plants, but don’t photograph people in gardens unless they are family or close friends.
  • Photograph flowers, trees and other natural objects that you find beautiful.
  • Don’t photograph people when they are angry.
  • Don’t photograph people when they are doing something illegal or if it is inappropriate.
  • Don’t photograph people who have been drinking alcohol or taken drugs.
  • Don’t photograph people who have been crying.
  • Make sure your subject knows where they are being photographed.
  • Check that the background isn’t distracting.
  • Always use a tripod when you take photographs. It will stop the camera shaking and make the photos much more stable.
  • Don’t forget to look at your camera’s screen after you have taken a photo. You can check the focus, the exposure and the lighting to make sure you got the best picture possible.

There are lots of reasons why strangers make for interesting photography subjects. It’s not always easy to get close to them – they might be shy, or have problems seeing you, or simply be busy. But there’s one thing you can do to increase the chances of getting the shot you want – look for a good vantage point. This is where the light will be good, the view clear and the background interesting.

Some good vantage points include bridges, tunnels and railway lines. A park bench, a garden wall or a window ledge might also work. If you can’t find a good spot, get down low and use your zoom to crop your subject out of the picture. You’ll probably need a tripod for a long exposure.

It’s also worth taking a wide-angle lens with you. It allows you to shoot groups of people standing in a tight space, like a crowded street, or capture people in interesting locations. If you are photographing in public places, make sure you don’t block people’s paths or invade their personal space.

When choosing your location, think about what kind of picture you are trying to create. If you are taking a portrait, look for a face to frame – either head and shoulders, or full length. If you are taking a picture of a group, then think about the composition – how the people interact and relate to each other.

There are lots of ways to make a picture unique. Try experimenting with different exposures. Experiment with your camera settings. Find out which type of camera your subject has. Use flash or natural light to add interest. Use props to bring the subject to life. Create a focal point by placing something in the foreground or background.

Once you have found a good spot, take a few quick shots. See if you can get a candid shot. You might see someone who has an expression that is unusual. If you are lucky, you might be able to get someone to pose. The idea is to capture images quickly – without thinking too much.