Intention in Photography: Letting Go to See More
Photography is often seen as an art of careful planning and control. But for me, less intention is more. When I press the shutter, I don’t have a perfectly pre-visualized shot in my mind or a narrative I’m consciously trying to tell. Instead, I let the chips fall as they may, moving through the streets with an open mind and embracing the spirit of play. This is about photographing without fixed intention—allowing spontaneity and chance to create the story.
Motivation Lives in Your Legs
First and foremost, motivation is in your legs. This means that the more you move your physical body through the world, the more you see, and the more you photograph. Each step outside, each turn down a new street, opens up fresh perspectives and unexpected moments.
“Because I photograph with repetition every single day, I am gifted with moments that I otherwise would never notice.”
I’m not out there looking for specific themes or concepts. I’m simply following my gut, recognizing the patterns between nature and human behavior, and responding with my camera.
Embracing Childlike Curiosity
When we were children, we didn’t set out with specific intentions. We simply went outside, eager to see what the day had in store. I remember mornings spent building bridges with sticks, crossing streams, and blazing my own paths. There was no plan, only a curious eagerness to explore and figure things out along the way.
This sense of childlike curiosity has stayed with me through every travel and every photographic journey. My best images often happen when I’m simply out there, in the moment, allowing life to unfold around me.
“The less intention I give myself, the better results I come home with.”
Be Foolish and Let Go of Perfection
If you’re looking to make something meaningful, forget what you think you know. Stop overanalyzing, stop trying to be perfect, and stop consuming too much external “advice” on what makes a great photograph. Instead:
- Trust your gut.
- Go where you feel drawn.
- Shoot what catches your eye.
“If you have a gut feeling that you should be somewhere and that you should photograph something, just go do it.”
Embracing the imperfect brings a certain raw beauty to each frame. Life itself is far from perfect, so why should photography be any different? Let go of control and allow the imperfections to add depth and authenticity to your images.
Composition Through Intuition
The best compositions aren’t something you can plan down to an exact science. There is no ABC, 123 guide to seeing. When I’m out there, I don’t see in terms of rules of thirds, leading lines, or golden ratios. I see through my intuition, guided by what the streets in front of me are revealing at that moment.
Composition isn’t about rigid structures but about staying receptive and feeling your way through the scene.
“You simply must be, in the moment, looking, observing, and feeling the streets in front of you.”
The Freedom of Letting Go
Photography is about finding the balance between being in control and letting go. Moving with curiosity and openness allows each photograph to reflect my experience, not just my intention. I don’t judge my photos as “good” or “bad.” To me, they are snapshots of moments—reflections of my curiosity and lust for life.
In the end, it’s not about the photograph itself, but the practice, the journey, and the daily commitment to seeing more of the world around us. When we release ourselves from the pressure of a specific outcome, we make room for something even greater: an authentic, joyful expression of life as it is.
Every day on the street offers something new. The streets unfold in infinite ways, and when we photograph them without boundaries, rules, or expectations, we experience life in its fullest, most unpredictable form.