Do you live your everyday life searching for imaginary movie characters?? To start, what type of question is that? Hmm, let me rephrase. Do you look for interesting characters in your everyday life?
I do! It started when I was a kid. I liked to watch people on the streets and whenever I found someone interesting I would give them a character in my imaginary movie. The way they dressed, their hair style, face or expression dictated the type of “acting” they would do, from gangsters to scientist and lawyers to spies.
Back then I did it just for fun. But now, as a photographer, the streets have become a portrait paradise. It’s still fun to watch people, but it’s even better to have the opportunity to capture their portrait (if they allow me to do so).
20 seconds of courage
Spotting a great character is easy, the “difficult” part is to get the courage to approach a complete stranger and hope for three minutes of their time to take a picture.
Whenever I’m in a situation of doubt, I like to think of the quote from the movie ‘We bought a zoo.’ It says “it only takes 20 seconds of courage to do great things.” That’s all it takes to get the first approach and hope for a “yes, you can take my picture.” Positioning them in the right light and background for a good composition is another story and that comes from experience.
Africa, the New Portrait Paradise
Until now, I have doing what I like to call “Urban Tribes & Characters.” I search for unique characters in the city and during trips to find their portraits. (Take a look at my Instagram to see more of my portraits.)
The Africa trip ahead of us is going to be a completely different approach. I can’t wait to see the endless new possibilities for portraits, but this time it will be “African Tribes & Characters.” It will become my new portrait paradise.
