Street photography captures everyday life in unique ways. From rare moments to aesthetic portraits, each style offers a different lens through which to see the world. Understanding these styles can help you refine your approach or explore new creative directions.
Coming to you from Micael Widell, this engaging video breaks down eight distinct styles of street photography. The first is the “clever and rare moments” photographer. These images make you look twice, revealing patterns or moments that seem almost impossible to capture. Widell highlights the work of Siegfried Hansen and Jeremy Page, whose photos leave you wondering how such precise timing is even possible. Their ability to spot these fleeting moments inspires both awe and curiosity.
The second style is “streetscape,” where the scene itself plays a central role. People may appear in these shots, but they’re often secondary to the location’s charm or mood. Widell mentions creators like Faisal Westcott, who excels at finding beautiful, layered scenes that draw you in. Black-and-white streetscape photography is also showcased, with Alan Schaller bringing his signature high-contrast style to this category.
Widell moves on to “people-focused street photography.” This includes candid street portraits where people are captured unposed, often revealing raw and authentic expressions. New York-based photographers like those featured on Paulie B’s channel embody this style. Another variation is “prompted street portraits,” where you directly ask someone if you can take their picture. This style requires confidence and builds a collaborative dynamic between you and your subject.
Another fascinating style is “documentary street photography.” Here, the focus shifts to immersing yourself in a scene or event, capturing it from multiple angles to tell a cohesive story. Eduardo Ortiz is noted for his ability to blend into his surroundings and interact with subjects while creating meaningful series of images. The work stands out for its depth and narrative quality. That's just the start, so check out the video above for the full rundown from Widell.
