When we think of self-portraits, we might picture a photographer standing in front of their camera, the self-timer ticking down, or perhaps a candid reflection caught in a window, reminiscent of Vivian Maier's mysterious style. But the truth is, every photograph we take in the streets leaves behind subtle breadcrumbs of our identity, collectively painting our own self-portrait.

Street photography isn’t just about capturing a human subject – it’s about capturing them in action. People in motion create dynamic, lively compositions that draw viewers in. Watch for the animated individuals in any scene – whether it’s someone in the middle of a heated phone call, a group of people pointing every which way as they decide where to go, or someone struggling with a heavy bag across the street. These are the moments that add life to your photos and spark curiosity in your audience.

Perhaps the second most common question is “What if someone sees me take their photo?” this is the meat of what we’re going to discuss in this blog post. We will cover how to handle an interaction like this and also, more importantly, how to prepare so these interactions have a positive outcome.

There was something in some of the dogs I shot that day, like I was finding the parts of people that I hoped to photograph. That in-the-moment presence that only a dog can have, no worries, no fears and no bills to pay. For me, this practice helped me feel more comfortable within the same space as the dogs and also, more importantly, their owners.