How to Make Progress in Your Street Photography

As I walk through Philadelphia, the word progress comes to mind. Derived from the Latin progressus—pro meaning forward and gradi meaning step—progress is nothing more than moving forward. This simple yet profound idea guides not only life but also street photography.

The Essence of Progress: Movement and Growth

To progress is to grow, expand, and build something larger. For a street photographer, this means creating a photographic archive—a catalog of moments that reflect the endless act of pressing the shutter. For me, progress is about continuously making new photographs. To stop shooting, to dwell too long on old work without making more, feels like the slow death of a photographer.

“To make progress is the goal. To stay stagnant is the ultimate death of a photographer.”

Defining Your Progress

Progress is deeply personal. For some, it might mean creating a single great photograph. For me, it’s about the discipline of consistently making pictures. Progress demands that we detach from the outcome—good or bad—and focus instead on the process.

“Detach yourself from the outcome, and embrace the discipline of showing up every day.”

Street Photography and Weightlifting: A Discipline of Repetition

Street photography is very much like weightlifting. When I go to the gym, I don’t think about how big my muscles will get or how strong I’ll become. I focus on the act of lifting, on doing the reps. The results—like strength—come gradually over time, not immediately. Photography is the same.

It’s about showing up daily.
Making photographs consistently.
Trusting that progress happens over the long term.

Removing Distractions and Dopamine

To make real progress, you need to remove distractions. One of the biggest distractions for photographers today is social media. If you’re serious about progress, I suggest:

Deleting Instagram: Go to the app, click the wrench, and deactivate or delete your account entirely.
Creating a personal website: Use Bluehost.com to purchase a domain (e.g., yourname.com) and set up a WordPress.org site with a clean, simple theme like Astra.
Publishing your photos regularly: Treat your website as your personal archive, free from the noise and dopamine traps of likes and comments.

“Detach completely from any audience. Focus on your work, not on validation.”

A 365-Day Project for 2025

If you’re looking for a challenge, try committing to a 365-day photography project. The goal is simple: go out every day, make photographs, and publish them on your website. This daily discipline will keep you focused on the act of creating, not the results.

The Role of Diet and Focus

This may sound unconventional, but your diet can directly impact your photography. I’ve followed a strict carnivore diet—eating only red meat and fasting until the evening—for two years, and it has transformed my ability to focus. Here’s why:

Your eyes are connected to your brain, and your brain and gut communicate constantly.
Digesting food during the day can lead to brain fog, dulling your intuition and visual acuity.
Fasting heightens your senses and sharpens your instincts.

“A street photographer is like a hunter. A hunter doesn’t eat before the hunt. Hunger sharpens focus.”

I treat my photography like a hunt: I don’t eat until I’ve culled and backed up my photos for the day. This ritual creates a reward system that keeps me disciplined and motivated.

Progress Is About Consistency

Making progress is simple: make more photographs. Don’t worry about gear, composition, or superfluous details. Focus on the discipline of consistently creating. Treat your photography like a visual diary, a playful exploration of the world around you.

“Detach from the outcome, embrace the process, and stay infinitely curious.”

Final Thoughts

Progress in street photography is about movement—both physical and creative. Keep walking, keep shooting, and keep exploring. The world is open, full of endless possibilities. No matter where you are, there’s always time to make a photograph.

“Stay outside, stay curious, and keep moving forward. That’s how you make progress.”