You only get one shot
What I learned taking street portraits on film
I did something scary when I was down in San Diego. Something that I’ve been wanting to do for a long time actually. Several years in fact. Something that I was so in my head about doing a certain way I got caught up in the minutiae of the details that didn’t really matter. All the things I thought I knew until I actually did the damn thing and finally had the data. I took my film camera out and did some street portraits.
I was inspired by several people I’ve seen online, the people who got me thinking about it, curious about it. I’ve followed Humans of New York for so long but ironically it wasn’t that account that initially got me interested. I would count Model Strangers, Pale Blue Wave, and Portrait Geeek as the initial motivators. Model Strangers being my favorite. These photographers also have a video element and I don’t know that I’ll go that route. But I also haven’t tried it yet. I just love the idea of connecting with people, creating something, and sharing that with them. You might learn something about them or them you. You might trade stories. You might hear something completely life affirming or just get the chance to meet someone you otherwise may have never met.
I don’t necessarily want to do it exactly the same as them, but then again, I’ve barely started and I don’t have an answer to how I want to do it yet. I’ve started but I’m still starting. I shot all of these portraits on film. I love film and want to keep learning it. I think it adds to the character of these real life characters. It’s slower, more mindful and more compelling to me to work with which means I’ll probably stick with it if I start. Maybe it’s a pitfall to have to wait for it (for them, not for me) but maybe it’s good to have something someone can look forward to.
I had no idea if these would even turn out. Sure the camera I was using, my Nikon F3 has a meter and I’m becoming more confident in judging light, but I still have a long long way to go. About half the people I approached I took only one shot. Until, as one does, I thought to myself, “How can you expect one shot to turn out? What if they close their eyes?” Some I took two and like the second one better. You never really know.
I didn’t pose anyone though in a few instances maybe told them where to stand for lighting purposes. I don’t like posing. I think people fall into their natural form if they’re comfortable. I think that’s the biggest thing with portraits, just making sure people are comfortable. Sometimes that happens naturally by me just being awkward. Funny how that works.
I chose people based on approachability, their vibe, or out of pure curiosity whether they would say yes. There are no rules, only self imposed guidelines. This whole project is basically exposure therapy.
The Portraits
Quite honestly I didn’t know how to start so I just did. I had the camera, my film, myself, and daylight which isn’t essential but it helps. Each portrait has their own story.
I was on Coronado Island in San Diego walking around town trying to figure out the mechanics of opening my mouth when an older woman with this big three wheeled bike approached me at a crosswalk and asked, “Excuse me, did you push the button?” I looked up and saw this wonderfully stylish woman with a big personality, a big bike, and purple in her hair (which unfortunately doesn’t show up in the photo.) I said I loved her style and asked if she would mind if I took her photo. She said, “Not at all!” I found out she was a military wife and her and her husband traveled the world during his service and settled on Coronado. She hadn’t driven in years and was on her second bike like that. The bike fit her very well.
The light was good, the gelato was great, and she was cool. She agreed to a portrait and said, “I love photos.”
She was from Israel. She was taking photos of the architecture. I stopped her and asked for her photo. This was the second one. Her first one was serious. I can’t remember what I said but after I said it she smiled. (Not that anybody has to smile in photos. I just want them to feel comfortable.)
I just approached and they said yes.
On the pier in Pacific Beach and this guy had style for days. I’m pretty sure he knew it. He was super nice and not originally from San Diego. We talked briefly. Something I want to do more of with these kind strangers that agree to a portrait.
These girls were on the pier taking photos. The girl on the left has a camera in her hand. I asked if they wanted a photo together.
These ladies looked bored waiting for someone with a sorority marked cooler at their feet. They were bathed in light and much too hip for the beach-bums they were surrounded by.
I was at my new favorite coffee shop in North Park neighborhood and the woman on the left noticed my camera. Before they left I asked them for a portrait. Pretty sure they wanted a copy of the photo (who wouldn’t?!) because they asked about my instagram but I was hesitant because I didn’t have one devoted to this project AND because approaching people like this can be extremely overwhelming and words are difficult. The fact that any of these photos turned out is crazy. It was all very nerve-wracking.
Getting reps in, asking for photos, fueled by matcha. I liked the palm trees in the background. So California.
The day I left I had no intention of asking for anybody’s portrait. But my Lyft driver was talkative and in such a great mood with the weather being so perfect. She was in a white sundress as lively as her smile. Turns out you can still make a great portrait with bad lighting from the back of a car, all you need is someone’s spirit.
How I felt after each photo taken
I felt less in my head and more confident. I did the scary thing but I also created something and connected with new people. I felt a little more at ease, a little less anxious, a little more optimistic. There were people that said no and I learned from that. Not everybody is gonna be in a mental space to want a portrait.
I learned after my first few I wanted more than one photo.
I learned after my next few I’d love to engage the person or people more.
What’s Next?
I shared a few of these with my dear friend Nicole, a fellow photographer, writer, and literal life saver. She said I need to keep going and keep doing this. It felt great to hear because it’s not easy for me to do. It’s taken me several YEARS to start. Having supportive friends is a lucky thing.
I want to be able to share the photos with these people. Why wouldn’t they want to see them? Whether I post or just send the photo to them. Isn’t this more opportunity to connect? Isn’t that why I want to do this in the first place? Sometimes even with our worst work you can surprise somebody with connection or experience. You never really know how someone will react to what you’ve created until it’s shared.
Napa is not really the place for this project. Though Berkeley or San Francisco would be. And Berkeley is close enough. I’d like to do more and soon. Maybe share more online or on instagram or whatever. We’ll see. I started, I learned, and what’s next is what’s next.
P.S. Leaving San Diego, at the airport at security, they now take your picture. Because verifying the already verified is so 2026. I had my passport with me to avoid drama as I always do when traveling. You know, a passport is the most valid thing you could have, right? The security guy said the photo he took didn’t match my photo on my passport well enough and asked for ANOTHER form of ID. I said, “Yes, I have one but this is my passport. Why do I need it?” I’ve had the same haircut for over 20 years. I look basically the same. I showed him my drivers license and the photo he took of me seemed to match that one better (?). I asked, “What would I have done if I didn’t have my license?” He said he would have gotten his manager to verify. Then he said “Sorry, sometimes the lighting screws up photos so they don’t match.” Standing in the terminal on a 75 degree sunny day I said, “Daylight? Yeah, it’s the WORST for photos.”
