Check out the following tips for capturing photos in the style of Brandon Stanton:

Technical Aspects

Portraits (face and/or upper body):

• Shoot at eye level or slightly below to create intimacy and equality

• Use natural light when possible - he often shoots outdoors in daylight

• Keep backgrounds simple but contextual (walls, storefronts, street scenes)

• Use “portrait mode” for beautiful background blur while keeping the subject sharp

Full body shots:

• Include environment that tells part of their story

• Give subjects space in the frame - don't crop tight

• Consider their posture and stance as part of the narrative

The More Important Elements

Connection:

• Spend time talking BEFORE shooting - this is Stanton's secret sauce

• Ask meaningful, open-ended questions about their life, struggles, dreams

• Let them be vulnerable; create psychological safety

• The best photos come after 20-30 minutes of conversation

Authentic expression:

• Focus on natural poses

• Capture genuine emotion, not posed smiles

• Look for moments of reflection, vulnerability, joy, or contemplation

• Direct gaze into camera creates powerful connection with viewers

The story matters most:

• The image and story should complement each other

• Focus on universal human experiences