10 Tips for Taking Street Style Photography Like a Pro
The world of street style photography is a fast-paced and ever-changing realm. With each new season, trends continue to evolve and fashionistas continue to test the boundaries of what looks good on camera. The collective amount of street style photographers out there is only increasing. To stand out and catch those perfect photographs, you need to have an arsenal of tricks up your sleeve.
Thankfully, the Street Style Photography Hitchhikers Guide has everything you need to get started. Whether this is your first time shooting street style or you’re ready to master the art of it, these tips will leave you with a solid foundation.
Get to know your surroundings
Before you set foot outside, you need to know where you’re going and what you’ll be doing there. If you’re headed to the mall or an outdoor event, keep in mind that it may be chilly outside. Dress for the weather and make sure to bring along a warm jacket or wrap. If it’s an event you’re attending, figure out where you want to be. Is there a good spot where you can get a lot of great shots? Once you have a good idea of your surroundings, you’ll be able to deliver better setups and shots to your clients.
Build a sturdy base
There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to set up a shot and accidentally knocking over your tripod. Make sure that wherever you’re shooting from is sturdy enough to support your camera. Also, make sure that you don’t knock over your tripod when setting it up. This way, you won’t have any mishaps and you’ll be able to get those shots as well!
Play with light
One of the most famous street style photographers is the one that “only” takes street style photos. You don’t have to be on the streets to play with light. Shooting indoors is a great way to add some atmosphere to your shots. You can also play with light outdoors by creating a mood with your shot. For example, you can use a slow shutter speed to create a blurry or misty effect. Experiment with different lighting setups and you’ll find that you can add some great effects to your street style photos.
Don’t be afraid to do fiddly stuff
Fiddly stuff is what street style photographers are made of! Whether it’s using a macro extension or using an editor to better your photos, there’s no reason you can’t push the boundaries of your photography. There are no rules that say street style photography has to be a clean-cut, perfect photo. In fact, you can add a little bit of creativity to your shots and make them stand out from the rest.
Get your bearings
Street style photographers are constantly on the move. There are no specific times when you have to be somewhere, but it can be helpful to have an idea of where you’re going. Are you going to be shooting from a specific spot? If so, you can make a note of where that is so when you’re ready to setup, you won’t be scrambling around to find your camera.
You can also get your bearings be looking at the event or venue where you’ll be shooting. Is there a spot that seems to have the best light? Is there something that seems to be in the best spot? Getting a lay of the land can help you decide where to set up when you ready to shoot.
Keep your eyes open
Street style photographers are always on the lookout for new ideas. They’re constantly thinking about how they can make their shots better and come up with ideas for setups and concepts for their shoots. However, it’s important not to be too caught up in your own head. It’s easy to get so wrapped up in your ideas that you forget to soak up the atmosphere of the event or venue.
Take in the surroundings. This can be as simple as looking around you at the event you’re at or the venue where you’re shooting. Try to look around and see if there’s anything that catches your eye. Also, keep an eye out for elements that seem to make a great addition to your photo such as other photographers or the venue itself.
Don’t be afraid to do fiddly stuff
On the other hand, don’t be afraid to do fiddly stuff either. Fiddly stuff is what street style photographers are made of! Whether it’s using a macro extension or using an editor to better your photos, there’s no reason you can’t push the boundaries of your photography. There are no rules that say street style photography has to be a clean-cut, perfect photo. In fact, you can add a little bit of creativity to your shots and make them stand out from the rest.
Get your bearings be looking at the event or venue where you’ll be shooting. Is there a spot that seems to have the best light? Is there something that seems to be in the best spot? Getting a lay of the land can help you decide where to set up when you ready to shoot.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
One of the best ways to combat the mistakes that are made in street style photography is to take the time to learn from your mistakes. Not only will this help you avoid making the same mistakes in the future, but it will also allow you to grow as a photographer.
While you can certainly learn the basics by reading tutorials and attending workshops, what you’ll truly learn by participating in the industry is simply by interacting with photographers and working with models. By taking part in the street style photography community, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with a wide range of photographers. This can be a great opportunity for you to learn from the pros and meet up with models who aren’t afraid to help you out.
Another great way to learn is to ask for help. While it may feel awkward at first, the more people you ask for help, the more you’ll appreciate the help you receive.
Conclusion
Street style photography is a constantly evolving field. Trends come and go and what works one season might not be appealing the next. It’s important to be prepared for these changes and have a solid foundation for your street style photography. This guide has everything you need to get started.
Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll find that you have a much easier time shooting great street style photos.