Overcoming Nerves in Street Photography: My First Fuji XT5 POV Experience
Street photography has always fascinated me. Capturing candid moments in everyday life, freezing those fleeting interactions, and showcasing the beauty of ordinary scenes is a kind of magic. But the thought of going out, standing in public with a camera in hand, especially one mounted on a chest harness like the GoPro I planned to wear, stirred up a lot of anxiety for me. I’m naturally an introvert, and in the past, I’ve struggled with anxiety in social situations. So the idea of wandering the streets of Coventry with a camera in tow, filming my first street photography POV video, wasn’t something that came easily.
In this post, I want to take you through my journey of overcoming nerves in street photography, especially as a beginner. I’ll share what was going on in my head before the shoot, the practical steps I took to deal with those nerves, and how using the Fuji XT5 with its small, discreet form factor helped me blend into the environment. If you’re someone who feels anxious about stepping into the world of street photography, this post is for you.
The Anxiety Before the Shoot
In the days leading up to my first street photography session in Coventry, I felt nervous every time I thought about it. I couldn’t stop wondering how people would react to me taking photos. What if they noticed the camera or the GoPro strapped to my chest? Would they confront me? Would I feel embarrassed or out of place? These thoughts would often spiral in my head and make me second-guess my decision to even go out.
Being an introvert has always made social interactions a little tricky for me, and street photography requires you to immerse yourself in public spaces, where you can’t help but draw some level of attention. In the past, I’ve dealt with anxiety that has held me back from doing things I genuinely wanted to pursue. So, this wasn’t just about taking photos; it was also about overcoming a personal hurdle.
Preparing Mentally for the Shoot
The day of the shoot arrived, and despite my nerves, I knew I had to push myself to get out there. Before stepping out, I focused on trying to clear my mind of all the negative thoughts. I told myself, “People are likely too busy with their own lives to care about what you’re doing.” And logically, this made sense, but emotionally, the nerves were still present.
To calm myself down, I took a few deep breaths and reminded myself of the reasons I was doing this. I wanted to capture genuine street scenes, I wanted to grow as a street photographer, and this was the first step in that journey. I also reminded myself that I wasn’t doing anything intrusive or harmful; I was just capturing candid moments.
But even with all this mental preparation, I knew I needed to take practical steps once I hit the streets to manage my nerves. So, here’s what I did.
Dealing with Nervous Thoughts on the Streets
When I first stepped out with my Fuji XT5 and GoPro strapped to my chest harness, I felt hyper-aware of everything around me. The streets of Coventry weren’t bustling, but still, I was convinced everyone was watching me. I found myself waiting for someone to come up and ask, “What are you doing with that camera?” Or worse, tell me to stop.
But then I took a moment to breathe and focused on clearing my mind of these thoughts. It helped to remind myself that, in all likelihood, no one would even notice me. People, in general, are so caught up in their own world that they rarely take note of someone like me walking down the street, taking photos.
So, I put this thought into practice. Instead of focusing on the reactions I was expecting from others, I immersed myself in the task at hand. I shifted my attention from worrying about being noticed to looking for the next great photo opportunity.
Practical Steps I Took to Overcome Nerves
While managing my thoughts was important, there were also several practical steps I took to blend into the environment and ease my anxiety. Here’s what helped:
1. Smile and Greet People : One of the most effective things I did was simply smile at people. If I made eye contact, I would offer a friendly smile or even a quick nod. This simple gesture made me feel less like an outsider and more like a part of the environment. If someone smiled back, it reassured me that they weren’t bothered by my presence. I also found that when I greeted people politely, it created a more relaxed atmosphere, making me feel more comfortable taking photos.
2. Use the Fuji XT5 and Compact 35mm f/2 Lens: The Fuji XT5, with its small form factor and discreet design, was perfect for blending in. Paired with the 35mm f/2 prime lens, the setup was compact enough not to draw attention, but powerful enough to capture sharp images. The small size of the camera helped me feel less intrusive, and the 35mm focal length allowed me to take shots without getting too close to people. It gave me the flexibility to compose my shots from a reasonable distance, reducing the likelihood of anyone noticing me.
3. Hold the Camera in Place After the Shot: When photographing people, I found that if they noticed me, it was usually too late—after I had already taken the shot. But to avoid any confrontation, I used a little trick. After snapping the photo, I would keep my camera held up and look beyond them, focusing on the building or scenery behind them. This way, if they looked over, it seemed like I was photographing the architecture, not them. In most cases, I wasn’t noticed at all, and on the rare occasion that someone did look my way, they usually didn’t think much of it.
4. Wear Neutral Clothing: I also chose my outfit carefully that day. I wore a black jacket to help the GoPro chest harness blend in. The idea was that by wearing neutral, non-attention-grabbing clothing, I would appear less conspicuous. This helped ease my nerves, as I felt like I wasn’t drawing extra attention to myself with bright colors or flashy accessories.
5. Remember, People are Focused on Their Own Lives: The more time I spent out on the streets, the more I realized something important—most people were too preoccupied with their own lives to care about what I was doing. Everyone was rushing to work, meeting up with friends, or running errands. The initial fear that I’d be judged or confronted quickly dissipated as I observed just how little attention anyone paid me.
Finding My Comfort Zone
Within about 10 minutes of walking the streets and snapping photos, something incredible happened. I started to relax. The anxiety that had been so intense at the beginning slowly faded away. Instead of feeling like an intruder, I felt like I was simply part of the city’s fabric, capturing moments as they passed.
Coventry, with its mix of modern and historic architecture, provided plenty of subjects to photograph, and soon I was lost in the process. Whether it was the reflections of umbrellas in puddles or the architecture of old buildings, I began to focus on the beauty around me rather than my own insecurities.
This shift in focus—from my internal worries to the external world—was key. The more I immersed myself in my surroundings, the less nervous I felt. And by the end of the session, I was comfortable enough to take photos without thinking twice about what others might think.
Building Confidence for Future Shoots
By the time I wrapped up my first street photography session, I felt an incredible sense of accomplishment. What had started as a nerve-racking experience turned into a confidence-building exercise. I learned that the initial anxiety is natural but doesn’t last forever. With each shot I took, I became more comfortable, and now, I’m looking forward to doing it again.
This experience taught me that the key to overcoming nerves in street photography is twofold: controlling your mindset and taking practical steps to blend in. The Fuji XT5, with its discreet form, was an invaluable tool for staying under the radar, and little actions like smiling at people or holding the camera in place after a shot helped put my mind at ease.
If you’re a beginner street photographer like me, I hope my story encourages you to take that first step. The nerves may be there at first, but they won’t last long. And the reward of capturing authentic, candid moments is well worth it.
Final Thoughts
Street photography isn’t just about taking pictures; it’s about being in the moment, observing life as it happens, and learning to overcome your own internal barriers. My first experience with the Fuji XT5 taught me that even though I’m still new to street photography, the process of pushing through discomfort can lead to great results.
Now that I’ve conquered those initial nerves, I’m excited to continue this journey, and I hope you’ll join me as I share more of my experiences—both the successes and the challenges—along the way.
If you’ve ever felt nervous about street photography, I’d love to hear your thoughts. What helps you push through the anxiety? Leave a comment below, and don’t forget to check out my YouTube video where I take you along on this street photography adventure.
