I’ve recently found a lot of appeal in a genre of shooting that traditionally requires taking pictures of people in public. Not in a pervy, upskirt kind of way, but more like capturing them in a moment—a moment where they interact with someone, look particularly fashionable, flash a brief smile, or give way to exhaustion—whatever.
When you first venture into the hobby, I think the biggest piece of advice you hear is: “Shoot what you like to shoot.”This really means that you shouldn’t waste time shooting landscapes if what you really love is portraits—at least to start. It’s better to practice what interests you because it lets you begin with passion.
With my recent return to shooting, I decided to do the same. I wasn’t going to try and shoot landscapes or pictures of flowers anymore—my most interesting photos have always been the ones with people in them. I love shooting people! I love seeing their style, their gestures, the funny faces they make. People are funny, they’re cool, and they make for such interesting photos.
Occasionally, I move beyond the practice of subtlety and just straight-up ask people if I can take their picture because they simply “look cool.” Admittedly, the first time I was bold enough to do this, I had probably had three beers at the brewery right beforehand… don’t let them tell you “drinking is good for nothing.”
All three times I’ve done this, I’ve had nothing but positive responses—and one person even sent me an endearing email after I sent them their photo!
“Hi Wyatt! Fun fact: I have hated nearly every single picture taken of me since the first time I remember having my picture taken. It’s weird, I don’t know what happens, but a camera comes out and I go from being myself and having fun to being an automaton pretending to be human. Every time. Wyatt, I love this picture. So, so much. It feels like me. Thank you! “
Walking around town, feeling that rush of excitement, knowing that at any moment I might capture something new and fresh—that perfect gesture, that fleeting expression, just waiting to be snapped—is genuinely exhilarating for me!
-Wyatt H.
Wyatts Hobby Photos 