Candid street photography
Candid photography Techniques
If you’re just starting with candid street photography, here are some techniques to help you get better results.
But remember, dont take it and yourself to seriously.
Its just pictures; have fun on the streets, with your subjects and your surroundings.
Be invisble
Blend into your environment. Dress simply, move calmly, and avoid drawing attention to yourself. The less noticeable you are, the more natural your subjects will behave. Wear black clothes, but without sneaking around at the same time.
Dont overthink. Take your camera out today
Candid photography can be scary and intermediating. Start with baby steps, dont overthink it. Be polite and have fun with it. Watch this video to overcome shyness in street photography.
Shoot from the hip
Sometimes, lifting your camera to your eye can disrupt the moment. Shooting from the hip is a great way to capture candid poses without being noticed. Vivian Maier was a master of this technique Rolleiflex camera.
Study the greats
It can be a big advantage to study the great photographers who came before us. I am talking candid photographers such as Henri Cartier Bresson, Robert Frank and Joel Meyerowitz. Pick up one of these iconic photography books.
Engage When Necessary
In commercial street photography projects or specific street portraits, engaging with your subject can lead to better results. For example, when photographing for my Coca-Cola campaign, I explained the concept to my subjects and ensured the product felt naturally integrated into the scene.
Use auto ISO
On the street, you rarely have time to adjust your settings before the moment has past. Therefore make sure to set your camera settings to auto ISO so you won’t miss a moment.
What is candid photography?
Candid photography is about capturing life as it unfolds in public or private spaces. It can be pictures you take of strangers, or the most intimate photographs of friends and family.
It’s about freezing moments—raw, spontaneous, and unposed—that tell stories of everyday life.
As a street photographer, I’ve spent years wandering city streets with my camera, searching for those fleeting seconds that reveal something true about humanity. While it may look effortless, candid street photography requires patience, observation, and sometimes a bit of planning.
This guide will share techniques, challenges, and insights into candid street photography. From personal projects to commercial campaigns, you’ll learn how to refine your approach and capture authentic, compelling images.
What is Candid Street Photography?
Candid photography focuses on capturing people and moments in public spaces without interfering or staging the scene. It thrives on authenticity—whether it’s the movement of a crowded street, the stillness of someone lost in thought, or the connection between strangers.
But candid doesn’t always mean “completely unnoticed.” Some of my best candid shots come from engaging with my subjects first, especially in commercial settings. For example, in my Burger King campaign, I used street casting to find everyday people who could represent the brand. While the images look natural, we had conversations beforehand to explain the project and make them feel at ease.
This balance of candid and intentional direction is what makes street photography so unique.
How Candid Photography Stands Out
Unlike studio photography, candid photography celebrates imperfections. It’s not about perfect lighting or polished poses. It’s about the rawness of life—expressions, interactions, and environments that feel real.
Some of my favorite projects, like my Day of the Dead series, which I made as a photographer in Mexico City, capture people in their natural surroundings. I photographed locals participating in the festival, blending candid moments with subtle guidance to preserve authenticity.
Commercial candid photography
Incorporating a product into candid street photography can be tricky. The goal is to make the product feel like part of the scene, not the focus. For example, in the Coca-Cola campaign, we placed bottles naturally in the background to avoid disrupting the candid feel.
Candid commercial photography
Burger King Campaign
In Mexico City, I photographed people enjoying burgers in real urban environments. Street casting helped us find everyday people, and we used a mix of candid moments and subtle directions to keep it authentic. This campaign, as most of my work, was entirely black and white photography.
Candid portraiture
It’s a hit-and-miss. It’s intimidating. But then one day you get that one photograph that makes all the stress and doubt worth it. And I am not talking about photographs that make the subject look silly or exposed. To me, that’s the lower form of candid street portraiture.
I showed this portrait to him after I took it and he loved it - that’s how it should be done.