The Power of Mindset in Street Photography
What’s Popping, People?
It’s Dante, getting my morning started, and I’ve been thinking about mindset—specifically, the power of mindset as a street photographer.
What is the street photography mindset? What is my mindset? How do I approach the world and each day as a photographer?
The Tourist Mindset
One powerful way I frame my days is by adopting the mindset of a tourist.
Think about it: when you visit a new place, you wake up eager to catch the sunrise, to get out there and explore. Everything feels new, full of novelty, and exciting.
What if you could bring that same energy to your hometown?
For me, the tourist mindset is about being open, eager, and ready to explore the familiar with fresh eyes. It’s about approaching every morning as an opportunity to rediscover the world around me.
Success Through Simplicity
My goal as a street photographer is simple: never miss another sunrise. Wake up eager for the day, explore with curiosity, and stay in a flow state of creation.
Success is not about recognition or perfection. Success is simply making more photographs.
“Each day you make photographs is another day to be successful.”
Cultivating the Child’s Mind
I believe in the importance of cultivating the mindset of a student—to stay curious, open, and willing to learn.
“I don’t ever want to be a master of photography and feel as though I’ve seen it all.”
Imagine living each day as though you were just born yesterday. What would you photograph? How would you see the world?
When children see something as simple as a red balloon, they’re filled with wonder and excitement. That’s the spirit I try to channel in my work.
Forget Everything You Think You Know
To adopt this mindset, you have to let go:
- Forget everything you think you know about life.
- Forget everything you think you know about photography.
- Approach every day as though it’s day one.
This mindset fuels curiosity, propels you forward, and helps you see the extraordinary in the ordinary.
Shaping Your Reality
A friend once told me, “There’s nothing to photograph—it’s just people walking by.” To me, that sounds like a problem with mindset.
“Maybe you’re boring. Maybe the way you’re perceiving the world is that of a boring person.”
When you see the world as dull, it will appear dull. But if you approach it with gratitude and wonder, it transforms.
“Your thoughts shape your reality.”
Affirming Life Through the Shutter
Each time I click the shutter, it’s my way of saying yes to life.
“Each shutter click is an affirmation of life. Through that affirmation comes joy, and through joy, we create beautiful works of art.”
This mindset is what fuels my photography. It’s about embracing curiosity, gratitude, and a playful spirit to keep moving forward.
Practical Lessons in Patience
Photography isn’t just about luck—it’s about mindset, observation, and persistence.
One summer at Logan Square Fountain, I noticed how the sunlight created a rainbow in the spray. I told myself, I will photograph this rainbow. I stayed in the scene, moving my body, adjusting my perspective, and throwing myself into the water to get closer.
Another moment that stands out to me is from my time in Mumbai. I was waiting near a bustling scene, watching the patterns of birds in flight and positioning myself to capture the perfect moment. Tourists around me asked, “What are you waiting for?” My answer was simple: the bird.
I remained patient, observing the light, the movement of people, and the geometry of the scene. When the bird finally flew into the frame, everything aligned perfectly—the person in the window, the woman on the right, and the bird as the cherry on top.
“Moments like these aren’t luck—they’re the result of patience, observation, and an affirming mindset that shapes reality.”
Eventually, the moment unfolded perfectly. I made the photograph, but it wasn’t luck—it was the result of patience, focus, and belief.
Thoughts to Carry with You
As you head out into the world to photograph:
- Go slow. Let life flow toward you.
- Forget everything you think you know.
- Embrace the mindset of a tourist and the spirit of play.
- Stay curious, like a child.
- Be grateful for each day and the opportunity to create.
“When you seek, you shall find.”
Mindset matters. So get out there, stay open, and press the shutter.