Photographing people respectfully when you travel

Level: intermediate.

Some of the strongest pictures from a trip are of the people you meet. They’re also the pictures that need the most care. A stranger in another country isn’t part of the scenery.

One of my own takeaways from Thailand is simple: talk to people before you take their photo. Respect opens doors.

Spend a few minutes in a place before you shoot, and notice who is busy, who is relaxed and who seems to want to be left alone. People can tell when you’re hunting for a trophy.

Another takeaway from that same trip is not to overshoot. You’ll get better pictures from a few frames made after you’ve understood the place than from fifty made in a rush.

A smile, a nod and a raised camera work as a question in most countries. If you can, learn how to say hello, thank you and “may I take a photo?” in the local language, because even a poor attempt shows effort and people respond to that.

If someone says no, or waves you off, accept it right away and say thank you. You’ve lost nothing, and you’ve kept their trust.

Turn the screen around and let people see the shot. It usually starts a conversation, and sometimes it leads to a better portrait. Offer to send the photo by message or email, and then do it, because a promised photo that never arrives is a quick way to lose someone’s trust.

Hold up the camera, point to it and raise your eyebrows with a smile. People understand that everywhere. Pointing at the camera, then at them, then giving a thumbs up is also universal.

A few local words go a long way. In Thailand, hello is sawasdee and thank you is khop khun, with krap added by men and ka by women. Practise them before you arrive.

Temples, mosques, churches and ceremonies often have rules about photography. Look for signs, ask a guide, and follow what you’re told. Some places prohibit it entirely, and some don’t allow flash or tripods.

Children deserve extra care. Ask a parent or guardian first, and skip the picture if you aren’t sure. Don’t photograph people who are suffering to get a dramatic shot.

In some tourist areas people expect a tip for posing. That’s their choice to ask, and your choice to pay or decline. Where it makes sense, buying something from a vendor you photographed is a respectful way to say thanks.

Before you share a portrait online, ask yourself whether the person would be comfortable seeing it there, with the caption you’ve written. If you’d hesitate, take that as an answer.