Be Fearless

In a world run on fear, courage is much needed.

“It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.” – Marcus Aurelius

Courage and Audacity

When it comes to everyday life, I believe we must approach every moment without fear. In street photography, it’s the same. Approach the world as a playground with childlike curiosity and courage.

No More Doom and Gloom

I believe the news pushes fear onto the general population. To combat this, disconnect and go off the grid. Stop watching the news, TV, and social media. Be insanely optimistic for the betterment of humanity. Spread kindness and joy. At the end of the day, the smallest thing we can do is smile.

It’s Better to Be the Gay Monster Than a Sentimental Boar

When you approach life with wonder and awe, without preconceived notions of what’s out there, you go through life headstrong and without fear. Recognize that everything is ultimately out of our control. Embrace the chaos playfully, and without care.

Increase Your Tenacity

The word “tenacity” comes from the Latin word tenacitas, meaning “tenseness, firmness.” Derived from tenax (“tenacious, holding fast”) and related to tenere (“to hold”), tenacity reflects determination and persistence.

I believe that grip strength is strength. Overcoming fear requires physical training. My favorite exercise is the farmer’s walk: pick up two heavy dumbbells and walk with them. This helps with posture and grip strength. This full-body technique is critical in my everyday routine and has increased my tenacity.

Embrace Confrontation

People have become afraid of confrontation. Perhaps it’s a symptom of post-COVID society. The antidote is to be more confrontational. Open doors for strangers, compliment others, say hello to janitors, talk to security guards—just have fun with everyday interactions.

In street photography, embracing confrontation can help overcome the fear of rejection. Try asking for permission to make portraits of strangers. If they say no, great! This is a way to embrace failure and push forward with your photography.