Hey your photo's are really inspiring! I'm struggling to find much motivation with my photography at the moment! how do you think of places to go to shoot? do you just wander around with your camera or do you find out/get invited to places before hand? also how do you go about taking photo's of strangers? I always see people but i never have the confidence to shoot them! any help would be really appreciated thank you!
Hey! My advice to you is get out a lot and make friends/ connections. Pretty much any time I leave my house I bring a camera with me, the world is full of interesting people so you never know what you'll find out there. If I'm in the city (NYC) shopping, going to a museum, walking though Central Park, etc. I always bring a camera. Fortunately, through my dad (who's a sideshow performer) I've been able to go to a lot of very interesting shows and events. You should try and find a scene (like a music scene) or a passion, what's something you really enjoy and would love to photograph? Through that make friends and connections. I honestly never ask people if I can take their picture (unless it's a clearly staged photo). I really hate approaching people, I'd much rather be a fly on the wall. It's also that I find people are more themselves when they don't know you're taking it, once you ask them they tend to stiffen up, if you just shoot they're natural and in their moment. That's why I like performers, when they're onstage they're only themselves because they're totally in their element. As far as motivation goes, enter contests. All you need to do is Google "open calls" or "photo contests" and enter as many as you can. I find when I'm unmotivated (especially in the winter when I don't get out so much) contest give me a goal and something to shoot for. I'd recommend watching "Rock 'n' Roll Exposed: The Photography of Bob Gruen" He has really inspired my work and the way I work (you can watch the trailer here). I hope what I've said is helpful, let me know if you have anymore questions :) Good luck!
