Why Practice Street Photography?

I’ve been practicing street photography for a decade now. It began in high school during a photography course when I picked up a Nikon FM, loaded with black-and-white film, and took to the streets with no expectations or understanding of what street photography was. I simply wanted to explore. My Great Uncle Bill, who owned a Leica M3, later taught me how to use a rangefinder, introducing me to the art of seeing. Since then, photography has been my way of interacting with the world, especially here in my hometown of Philadelphia.

Call to Adventure

Since I was a young boy, I’ve always been drawn to adventure. Growing up, my skateboard and the trails in the woods were my arenas to explore and conquer. Later, the camera became my excuse to step outside each day. It has become my call to adventure, my morning espresso, the reason I’m excited to see what the day holds. For me, photography is about the thrill of discovery; it’s as fundamental as breathing, a way to make each day meaningful.

Courage on the Front Lines

Street photography requires courage. Although we think of ourselves as observers, the practice turns us into active participants in life itself. Each photograph is as much a reflection of my own courage and heart as it is a depiction of the world around me. Street photography is an invitation to be on the front lines of life, facing new places, people, and experiences with an open heart. Whether I’m walking the streets of Philadelphia or venturing into places like Mumbai, Zambia, or Jerusalem, street photography gives me the courage to engage fully with my surroundings, seeing and participating in life’s spontaneous moments.

Love for the Process

It’s not the photographs or the results that keep me going; it’s the act of making photographs. Each click of the shutter is a dialogue with the world, where I engage all my senses—visual, auditory, tactile. I relish the smells, sounds, and textures of the streets, the feeling of moving through the city and letting each step uncover something new. For me, the joy is in the journey, the daily practice, and the immersive experience of life.

I make photographs because I have an insatiable lust for life, not for fame, money, or recognition. Street photography has become my way of connecting to the present, of capturing fleeting moments that speak to the transient beauty of life.

“You can’t live forever, but you can make a photograph.”

Meaning in the Mundane

Photography lets me find meaning in the mundane. Every walk through the city is an opportunity to see familiar scenes with fresh eyes. When I look through the lens, the ordinary becomes extraordinary; I see nuance, beauty, and stories in what others might consider routine. Street photography uplifts my perspective on life, transforming the mundane into something meaningful and vibrant.

In the end, I see every photograph as a self-portrait, a reflection not just of the scene but of my own soul and courage. This practice keeps me grounded and curious, and it’s the simple act of capturing the moment that fulfills me.

Photography is my way of affirming life, of celebrating its fleeting, transient nature. And while I know I won’t live forever, the photographs I make will preserve pieces of this journey.