Walking around and attempting to get into Street Photography in New York City is nerve wrecking. In truth, you think you know you will be ok, but you won’t.

My first attempts at Street Photography, now that I look back, were all a failure. I tried to get in the middle of the action and get some human emotions and raw moments. I tried to learn the Do, Do Not, settings, composition, I thought I had and knew it all… #FAAAAIL. It didn’t matter if I had all the knowledge about it, without the lack of practice I was mediocre. Most of my early attempts of getting in the middle of the action and capturing people failed because as soon as they made eye contact I panicked. I panicked because I am a person who tries to avoid a confrontation, and in my mind someone out there was ether going to punch or slap me across the face. Early street photography attempts on my end are of people from the back or objects that I truly didn’t want to photograph. I didn’t give up though. By all means I don’t consider myself the best Street Photographer, however, I can say that I improved tons from my real life experiences and never giving up.

My greatest failure was to be afraid of what people would think or say. I would find an attractive place and wait for the right person to pass by, however, when it happened I would NEVER take the shot. I was too nervous, I thought I was doing something illegal, do I need people’s permission? how do these photographers take photos of random people?” I thought to myself. It turns out, I scared myself more than I should’ve. I started little by little taking photos of people and getting the emotions and looks I wanted. Little by little my confidence grew substantially and i was able to get closer to people and achieve raw moments. I do have to say that I have never been in an altercation, I take my shot, smile and keep on moving.

What I leaned and helped me immensely is that it is perfectly OK to photograph random people in the streets of New York City, as long as you follow the general rules you will be good. However, if someone does tell you to not photograph them, please be polite to respect their wishes. This will save you from so many headaches and altercations. Trying to get into Street Photography in New York City is nerve wrecking and you will question many things about what you know, you might also think you’re not meant for it. DO NOT think this way, YOU CAN DO IT, you just need some courage for it. You need to remind yourself why do you want to do Street Photography, what do you see that you want to show, what do find beautiful about your chaotic city or town.

I have realized one thing though, street photography is not just about photographing random people on the street. Street photography is about the collective of what makes a city, a feeling of chaos and balance within its people and streets, the harmony of buildings organized in grids, the never ending sounds coming from every direction, the movements from local businesses. Street photography is about anything and everything that involves street. There is not one definition for it, everyone will interpret it differently though. And that is actually beautiful. With that this in mind, Go out and SHOOT 😊.