Today, of all days, I began a new online course and companion book on permission-based Portrait photography. The pictures you are seeing here are not from today but from previous iPhone shoots.
As a street photographer, I’ve come to understand that the essence of capturing remarkable portraits lies not in the technical mastery of our cameras, but in the emotional connection we forge with our subjects. It’s not about the brand of our equipment, but rather the authenticity of our interactions. This is a lesson I learned the hard way, as I faced my own insecurities head-on during a recent street photography session.
It’s glands, not brands. This is the key to remarkableness in portraiture.
Let me be blunt: today was rough. I found myself, surprisingly, even shockingly, paralyzed by intimidation and insecurity upon arriving at a local street festival. Despite my years of experience and confidence in my abilities as a portrait photographer, I was, for reasons I’m still trying to figure out, a fucking mess. It took me far too long, well over an hour or so, to gather the courage to even begin shooting. WTF?
The voices in my head immobilized my creative efforts. I should know better?
But here’s what I’ve come to realize: everything worthwhile in street photography lies on the other side of fear. It’s in those moments of discomfort and uncertainty that we have the opportunity to truly grow and evolve as artists. We must lean into the anxiety, face our dragons, devils, and demons, and confront our fears head-on.
I speak from experience when I say it’s not about eliminating fear altogether. Fear will always lurk in the shadows, ready to pounce at the slightest sign of weakness. Instead, our goal should be to manage its pull and pressure, harness its energy, and use it to fuel our creative endeavors.
So how do we do this? How do we summon the courage to keep shooting, even when every fiber of our being is screaming at us to run? Keep shooting. Keep moving your feet. Keep clicking and ticking when all seems challenging, even lost.
The answer lies in embracing the fear, acknowledging its presence, and refusing to let it control us. It’s about stepping out of our comfort zones, pushing past our limitations, and trusting in our ability to overcome whatever obstacles may stand in our way.
For me, this meant taking that first, hesitant step toward a potential subject, even when every instinct told me to retreat. It meant engaging in genuine conversations, making real connections, and allowing myself to be vulnerable in the process.
And you know what? It worked. Slowly but surely, my confidence began to grow. With each portrait I captured, I felt the weight of my fears begin to lift, replaced by a sense of empowerment and liberation.
So to my fellow street photographers, I urge you: don’t let fear dictate your actions. Embrace it, confront it, and use it to fuel your passion for photography. Remember that the most remarkable and memorable photographs are not made with camera brands, but with life glands.
Yes, there will be moments of doubt and insecurity. Yes, there will be times when it feels like the fear is too overwhelming to bear.
But trust me when I say this: beauty, creativity, and untold possibilities lie on the other side of that fear.
So keep shooting. Keep pushing yourself. And above all, keep believing in the power of your own vision.
In the end, it’s not about the photographs we capture, but the journey we embark on to capture them. And that journey, my friends, is worth every ounce of fear we may encounter along the way.
Click.
Jack
