Being An Introverted Photographer – Tips For Beginners

The weather is nice, and the lighting is perfect. Your mind is already framing the beautiful scene you have before you, and your hand is about to bring the lens towards your eye. Next thing you know, your mind is already making all kinds of excuses for not taking the picture. “Maybe I can just come back later when there are fewer people” , “Dang, they’re walking right towards me / Looking right at me…” , “They will feel uncomfortable…Now I feel uncomfortable” … “The photo of this person would look so great, but I don’t want to bother them”.

If these thoughts resonate with you, let me tell you that you’re not alone. Photography can often be a little bit uncomfortable when shooting around people, especially if you don’t consider yourself to be the most extroverted person. A couple of weeks ago I made a trip to Fontaneto d’Agogna, a small town in Northern Italy. Since I went alone with my dogs I had the time to reflect on my work and my shooting style. I noticed that I am still dealing with the fact that being an introvert can affect my work. I used to completely cancel shoots if there were too many people around, and it really used to haunt me when I first started shooting. If you feel this way, I know how challenging it can get to try to break this – but in the end, it’s a part of you. While being an introvert has definitely impacted the way I shoot, and the kind of art I’ve created – I also know that it’s why I love architecture and details so much – why I always take time to look up, turn around and listen to music to keep me focused. Here are 5 tips that I find useful to help me get great shots, even as an introvert.

1. Go early in the day or late in the afternoon

Especially when trying to shoot in a location that typically has a lot of people, going early in the morning is usually perfect – and the light is great! Golden Hour (Right when the sun is at it’s lowest point on the horizon) is a great time to shoot, but depending on where you’re located early morning might be a better than the evening as a way to avoid crowds.

2. Don’t focus straight on the subject

If you find yourself in a crowded space – especially in touristic areas – it’s likely that no one will feel uncomfortable with you taking photographs. However, sometimes it’s not that touristic, or there is a specific group of people, or a person, that you would like to be the focus on your shot. For these cases, I suggest one of the following options. One is to back up, and use a telephoto lens so that you’re once removed from the scene. An important note here is to always be respectful of people and their personal space. If you feel like you should ask someone before taking their photo- then do so. This always makes me, and my subjects feel a bit more comfortable. The second thing I would recommend is to tilt your camera up to capture what is slightly above the heads of people. When I took the shots below, there were people standing in front of the building, so I decided to reframe the picture and focus on the details and lines of the ceiling from a lower angle instead. 

If there’s a scene that is perfect, but you’re still feeling a bit uncomfortable to shoot there – then I recommend bringing models (or friends) for these kinds of shoots. Not only is it always more comfortable to shoot with someone you know – but having someone to take photos of – even if it’s clear you’re really capturing an entire scene is a great benefit. (see A Girl In Florence to see what I mean).

3. Express interest in people, history, and culture

On my trip to Fontaneto d’Agogna, I stayed in a castle with a private garden – so the dogs could run freely. I was genuinely interested in learning about the history of where I was staying, so I asked the owner if I could have a tour of the 14th century castle complex. The fact that I showed interest in knowing about the place meant that I was able to take a lot of pictures – and see some of the other awesome rooms that were not normally open to the public.

If there’s a group of people or places you would like to shoot, expressing true interest in others, and their culture can not only provide you with the satisfaction of experiencing these things – but it can also provide you with some unique shooting opportunities.

4. Don’t rush, take your time

When you go out to shoot, just breathe – concentrate, and as with any other kind of art, give it the time it needs. Sometimes we feel uncomfortable or distracted, especially when there are people around. That’s why taking pictures is something I like to do alone most of the time. This way no one is waiting for me every time I stop to shoot – and something that often helps me focus as well is listening to music. Putting on my headphones isolates me from the surroundings, and I no longer feel I’m being observed when taking a picture. You can see my favorite playlist for shooting in my blog Music I Listen to While I Shoot. 

Another thing I recommend is being patient when trying to capture a place that is too crowded. Shooting directly at people’s faces can make them feel uncomfortable, so I take my time and wait for the right moment to click the shutter. If the monument is surrounded by too many people, then you might have to follow tip #1!

5. Get off the beaten path

If you have seen my work before, you may have noticed a bunch of photos taken in from locations that are a bit off-the-beaten-path. Some of my favorite shots I’ve taken are from places where I’ve been trying to get lost. Following narrow alleyways, hiking up hills that at first appear to lead nowhere – Take your time to look for these places, and you’ll be surprised with the special photos you’ll end up with. (If you’re interested in my different techniques for being an architecture photographer, I talk more about this in my blog Architecture Through My Eyes)

While I was in Fontaneto d’Agogna I had the opportunity to take my Onewheel for a spin and ride through the country road to the next town called Borgomanero. Sure it was longer than taking a train, but definitely worth it! I got the opportunity to stop and take pictures of train tracks and landscapes along the way, which I wouldn’t be able to do if I went by train. So don’t rush! Being relaxed and focused can result in the creation of most amazing and unique works of art 🙂

The last thing I’ll stress here again is to remember that it’s always important to stay mindful of people’s space and respect others. Being respectful makes it easier for all photographers around the world to have an easier time shooting wherever we go. If you’ve ever shot somewhere and people don’t want you to take their photos – chances are that photographers have been rude to them in the past. Being said, if you follow these tips – regardless of where you’re shooting you’ll be sure to always come away with something great 🙂

I hope these tips were useful! if you often feel like me when shooting around people – the important thing is to recognize when your mind is making excuses out of fear and discomfort. Like anything in life – if the way is blocked, look for a new angle – find beauty in every direction, and get out there an create beautiful art <3

Let me know in the comment section if you also feel this way and if these tips were useful for you! If you liked this blog check out some of my previous blogs here! 

<3 Scott