Storytelling is a strong part of street photography. Street photography is more than just a genre—it’s a living, breathing form of storytelling. It’s the art of noticing the unnoticed, of freezing fleeting moments that whisper tales of humanity, struggle, joy, and solitude.

A part of this street photography craft lies in the street portrait.

Unlike candid shots taken from a distance, street portraits are intimate. They require connection. A nod, a smile, a shared moment of trust between photographer and subject. When a stranger agrees to be photographed, they’re not just offering their image—they’re offering a piece of their story. The lines on their face, the glint in their eyes, the way they hold themselves—all become chapters in a visual narrative. It demands a connection, and it demands that you approach people.

We met the gentleman in the picture at the photo workshop in Rome, near the Pantheon. He simply stood out from the crowd, and as one of the participants, who was particularly good at connecting with people, asked for a photo, he very willingly posed. Not arranged, but just posed naturally as we talked with him and took the photos.

Gentleman in Rome. Photographed with the Leica M9, Summilux 50mm f1.4 ASPH

Street photography thrives on spontaneity, but the best images are those that feel intentional, where composition, light, and emotion converge to say something meaningful. 

To separate the person from the background I often shoot wide open at aperture f1.4 (depending on the lens). It also adds intimacy having a narrow depth of field.

Not a portrait, but still a connection

The woman in the next picture is another example of a street photo that isn’t a true portrait, but still has the connection between the photographer and the person photographed. There is an acceptance of being photographed without needing it, because the frame includes scenery and therefore isn’t a portrait seen with the eyes on the GDPR. 

Woman in Trastevere, Rome. Photographed with the Leica M9, Summilux 50mm f1.4 ASPH

And where is the photographer in this? They are the silent narrator. They don’t speak, but they listen—with their eyes, their lens, their heart. They move through the world with curiosity and empathy, always searching for the next story to tell. This is how we approach the world. Often photographers are a bit introverted, liking to observe and being discreet. But some also approach the world with confidence and feel it’s easy to talk with strangers. Which is a great benefit if they want to make personal contact and portraits. 

Photographed with the Leica M9, Summilux 50mm f1.4 ASPH

Good behaviour is to ask for the email from the person who willingly offers their face for a picture, so they can receive it as a gesture of kindness afterwards. I often send pictures to people I portrayed. 

In a world saturated with posed perfection, street photography reminds us of the beauty in the unfiltered, the raw, the real. It teaches us that everyone has a story—and sometimes, all it takes is a camera and a little courage to tell it.

Photographed with the Leica M9, Summilux 50mm f1.4 ASPH