I'm originally from Scotland but moved to Vancouver recently. I picked up street photography in 2025 as a way to get outside and find a creative outlet—and it became a passion almost instantly. I shoot digital on a Fujifilm XT-5 and photograph anything I find odd, interesting, or visually appealing.

1. What one piece of advice would you give street photographers just starting out?

   Shoot, shoot, and shoot again! I’m relatively new to street photography myself—I started in March 2025—and coming from a background without much formal creative training, I approached it the way I might approach a physical training endeavor: getting the reps in matters. I try to take my camera out as often as possible and give myself permission to experiment without the pressure of having to succeed. I also set small “mini projects” for myself, like searching for certain colors or focusing on reflections. The more I went out and allowed myself to try new things, the more I felt I was developing my eye—simple as that.

2. What are your top two places in Vancouver for shooting and why?

   I really enjoy downtown — anywhere dense with people is usually where I’ll gravitate toward. The time of day plays into that as well; having light reach street level is important to me, so I’ll choose specific areas based on where the sun is. For my second place, I’ll cop out a bit and say “anywhere new”. Shooting in unfamiliar environments for the first time tends to stimulate my creativity and often leads to nice results.

3. Which three street photographers have influenced your work the most?

   I’m very new to street photography, and most of my inspiration has come from contemporary street photographers who also document their sessions through video. Being able to see the full process and gain insight into what they’re thinking at the moment they press the shutter is incredibly powerful for me.
   
   The first two that come to mind are Mike Chudley and Cal Holland, who primarily shoot in London. Both focus on finding fleeting, slightly surreal moments within a chaotic, busy city. Cal’s recent zine A Show of Hands is a masterclass in how images that might feel forgettable on their own can add up to something much stronger when presented as part of a cohesive project. I also enjoy Mike’s recent side-project "The Coastline Project", which aims to document English seaside towns, to be a great reminder that stepping outside your comfort zone and exploring alternative subject matter can lead to really strong results.
   
   I also particularly enjoy Faizal Wescott, who is primarily based in New York. I find the abstract, timeless quality of his work a joy to look at, and it inspires me to see the world differently—finding shapes, lines, and compositions in less obvious places. His videography is also thought-provoking and creatively stimulating, often exploring a specific nugget of street photography ideology through a lovely arthouse style.

4. Describe your work using up to four keywords.

   Hmm, I find it difficult to answer this question, as my style hasn’t fully formed yet as a photographer. I’ll go with: diverse, colourful, surreal, and “work in progress”.
   
   I’m still in the phase of trying everything to see what resonates with me. That said, patterns, colour, and surreal moments are elements I find myself naturally drawn to, and they tend to shape the common themes running through my photos overall.

5. Tell us about (up to 5) books, music or other art forms that influence your photography.

   I think my first creative passion began with a graphic design pursuit I took up when I was 15. I would use 3D rendering software to design custom logos for people, then import them into Photoshop to create artwork for their social media accounts. In this work, I was always drawn to surrealism and abstraction, and I think that influence carries through into my photography today.
   
   I also find this love of the surreal in reading, particularly enjoying genres like magical realism. I enjoy the “escape from reality” that authors like Haruki Murakami and Kurt Vonnegut Jr. provide, from seeding their worlds with bizarre occurrences and complete absurdities.
   
   An art form that has accompanied me on almost every photowalk is electronic dance music — particularly house and garage house. Like street photography, I feel these genres are about noticing beauty and simplicity in chaos. The fast-paced rhythm and layered, chaotic sounds help me feel the flow of the city and focus on finding those rare moments amidst the noise.