I took this in Bangkok, Thailand, with the 50mm lens. She’s one of the women who gather near local landmarks for the purpose of having pictures taken with tourists. I photographed several and paid them for their time. When lots of people are around or the background’s distracting, a low angle is a photographer’s best friend.

I think that people, regardless of language or culture, can immediately sense what kind of person you are. You impart a sense of presence. If you approach them from your heart, with humility but with confidence, and with a smile in your eyes as well as on your face, you’re going to get a shot. If you’re arrogant, insecure, or intimidated, that communicates itself as well. For me it’s no problem--I’m just my outgoing self, trying to make the picture a fun and flattering experience.

I rarely explain my assignment, whether it’s a specific client I’m shooting for or a stock shoot. I keep things short, first because the more I talk the less time I have to shoot. I might say I’m on assignment for a magazine and find you or what you’re doing or wearing very interesting, and I’d like to spend a minute or two with you.

Another thing I never do is show up and stick a 200mm lens in someone’s face and start shooting. There’s almost always some sort of dialog before I take a single picture. If the person is a fruit vendor, I’ll buy a piece of fruit and eat it and make some small talk. If he’s selling souvenirs and curios, then I might buy something and ask him about the product or the clothing. I’ll say, “Gee, my little daughter would like this.” Mentioning my daughter is not accidental. I say it sincerely, but deliberately. It humanizes me, says I’m a family man, I have a child. And I usually have pictures of my family in my pocket and I show them. I’m always quick to mention my family. In effect I’m saying, “I’m like you, trying to make a living, I’m not some weird guy with a camera.”

I took this in Cannes, France. He was just hanging out, enjoying the sunset. I shot with a 200mm lens, then went up and talked with him. He’d noticed me shooting but didn’t object. I ended up hanging out and enjoying the sunset, too.

This kind of approach can take time, and some of the pictures you see here may have taken two hours. Now, some may have taken two minutes, but I have to put in whatever time it takes. I keep in mind that the two-minute and two-hour photos will balance out over time.

Some of the two-hour ones might actually have taken that long because the person might have first said no. If I really want the shot, I’ll hang around, talk some more or buy something and try to create the opportunity for him to change his mind. I’m politely persistent.

I’m not a big believer in tipping or paying for photos. I think it sets a bad precedent for other photographers. But, of course, I’ve done it. And if someone who is involved in some sort of commerce goes out of his way and gives me time, I’ll buy something nice from him, or give him some gifts I may carry in my pocket.

I was in China during a New Year’s celebration, shooting for a tour operator. When I saw him I made the driver stop the tour bus so I could get out and take pictures. During festivals and celebrations everyone expects to be photographed, so it’s a good time for photographers.

A final important word: Once you’ve gotten to know the person, spent some time and are at the point of taking the photos, you’ve got to have the technique down cold and be ready with the equipment so you’re not fiddling around. It goes back to that sense of presence you have to have, that confidence in yourself and what you’re doing; in a word, professionalism. You can’t be fumbling around, digging lenses out of your bag. When I start talking to a person, I’ve got the right lens on the camera, know how I’m going to handle the background and the angle. I know the shot I’m looking for. I never approach unless I’m ready.

Release Me
Do I get model releases? Always. The purpose of taking these photos is to make a living from them, so I need the releases. They make the long-term value of the picture tenfold. If you’re not involved in commerce, you don’t need them, but if there’s any possibility or thought of marketing, you’ve got to have them. Getting a release can be awkward, and it takes skill, but it’s absolutely necessary for me.

He was part of a dance troupe called Red at the carnival in Trinidad. The low angle not only got rid of the background, but put the sun’s glare right where I wanted it. I used the 50mm lens for this one.

I get my release forms from a neat little book by Susan McCartney titled Travel Photography: A Complete Guide to How to Shoot and Sell, published by Allworth Press. In the back of the book are many short, simplified model release forms in various languages. I take the forms to a local business, make a bunch of copies and put an English translation on the back.