The joy of photography

Last week I joined up with some other photographers, professional and amateur, for some street photography in London. There were multiple reasons I wanted to go, but two of the reasons were that 1) I love street photography in London, you never know what’s around the (literal) corner, and 2) The street photography session was inspired by the style of Saul Leiter (American street photographer in the 1940s - 1950s). I wasn’t familiar with his work a couple years ago, but during my professional photography diploma, whenever I had a street photography assignment, my tutor would comment that my photos reminded him of Saul Leiter. This is a huge compliment, I now know.

As well as getting some Saul Leiter-esque shots, I also ended up doing some impromptu portrait sessions around Covent Garden, and it re-confirmed why I love meeting people and photography. One of the brief portrait sessions was with a woman named Ellen, who has her own stall in Covent Garden market. I met her dog, Teddy, and I ended up buying some butterfly stickers from her for my daughters. I really believe in the importance of having a short chat with someone when there is a photoshoot, however spontaneous and brief. Ellen (and her dog) seemed so relaxed and that greatly helps to make a better portrait.

I had more people in the market volunteering to have their photo taken, and I obliged, and then when I went into a tea shop to buy a friend a birthday gift, the women working in there also wanted their photos taken! It was really fun, for both them and myself, and I believe that is one of the key factors in any session, it should be fun. Having fun shows and it is always what I aspire to during any session.

I realise I am writing this on my business’ website. Am I going to get rich by going around London and spontaneously taking people’s photos? No. Do I love it? Yes. Was everyone involved happy? Yes. Does it also provide me with more connections to get bookings? Also yes. I should add I ended up giving away all the business cards I had on me through these interactions throughout the day. That was not the plan, I just happened to have the business cards in my camera bag. My whole intention for the day was to take some Saul Leiter-esque photos, and well, it organically changed.

Here are a mix of the impromptu sessions and the Leiter-esque street photography, which I was meant to do!