WILLIAMHAUN

With my travels around the world working for non-profits and missionary organizations I’m constantly in situations where I need/want to take pictures of strangers. I don’t know them, they don’t know me, and sometimes we don’t even speak the same language. So how do I manage to get intimate portraits of these subjects? I’m obviously not just shooting from the hip.

Recently I was invited on Macon’s local CBS station 13WMAZ‘s Weekend Mornin’ show to share a photo tip. This topic was what I talked about because I don’t think there are any secret or magical tricks to it – it really boils down to some basic (and polite) human behaviors.

I truly believe that the best portraits are made by interacting with the subject before hand. Not interacting or asking permission and literally “stealing” a shot can make people angry and contribute to a general distrust/dislike of photographers. Plus you’ll end up with a mediocre image (at best) and you won’t know the person’s story (and I guarantee they have a great one to tell).

So here are the 4 steps I shared on 13WMAZ that sum up the way I approach taking pictures of strangers:

1. Smile
   A person approaching you with a camera can be intimidating – perhaps even creepy. Make sure you smile – that is the most important body language you can express (especially when you and the subject don’t speak the same language).
2. Talk
   Strike up a conversation. You don’t even have to mention taking a photo yet. You obviously found something interesting about the individual or what ever they are doing so talk to them about that. Let them know you are genuinely interested in what they are doing and let them tell you about it.

   People love to talk about what they are doing and your interest in them can give them a sense of validation & confidence in their actions. I try to listen attentively, ask questions, and even crack a few jokes (at my expense not theirs).

   When you don’t speak the same language you can still use body language to ask questions. I’ve been known to make whacky hand gestures and goofy faces to try and get my point across. It isn’t hard and they usually get the drift.

3. Ask
   If you’ve done #2, this next one is a breeze. Often times the conversation turns on me – what am I doing there? am I a photographer? This is a great segue to ask permission to photograph the person. If you’ve already had a friendly chat with the person and shown interest in them they rarely say “No.”

   If I’m interested in something a person is doing or something they have, I’ll ask to photograph that first. Then when I show them that photo (#4) it opens the door for me to photograph them.Don’t speak their language? No problem. Hold up your camera, point to it, point to them, make an inquisitive face, and ask “Photo?”. It doesn’t matter wherever the heck you are in the world, that will translate into asking permission.

4. Share
   Digital cameras have give us the wonderful ability to share photos instantly. Always turn your camera around after taking a photo and show them their image on the LCD. In some parts of the world this is akin to performing a small miracle.

   Give them positive feedback about their image. I always learn the words “Beautiful” and “Handsome” in whatever foreign language I’m dealing with. If you can make them feel good about that first photo you can usually follow up with a 2nd or 3rd or dozens more photos. It also puts them at ease with you in your role as photographer and gives you a chance to compose different shots and sometimes even ask them to pose a certain way or move to an area with better light.If your subject is pleased with their image they can be your biggest promoter – get them to you introduce you to their friends and family for more portraits. Get friends together and photograph them as a group. Just keep smiling and keep talking.

   The second part to sharing the photo is to offer to send them a digital copy. You’d be surprised how many people have email addresses, even in the most remote locations. I keep a notebook with me and I’ll jot down their email address and the file number shown on my camera LCD of their photo. Then when I get back from my trip, I set aside some time one evening to send out all the photos to the email addresses I collected.

   If it is possible (and feasible) you can even mail prints of your photos to them by getting their address. In some remote areas your print may be the only photo a person has of themselves or of a family member. It can be an incredible gift! However, NEVER PROMISE this if you aren’t sure you can follow through with it. If you do mail them prints you will be amazed how excited and grateful they will be if you ever re-visit the area.

I’ve found that smiling, talking, asking permission, and giving back quickly turns those strangers into new friends. Following are some photos from real examples of wonderful experiences I’ve had around the world photographing strangers.