Street Studio: Photographing Strangers at Liberty State Park | EP 6 | Vanessa Joy
In episode 6 of Street Studio, wedding and portrait photographer Vanessa Joy takes her skills to Liberty State Park. Partnering with V-Flat World and Adorama, she sets out to capture the essence of candid street photography by photographing complete strangers in the park.
Capturing Real Emotions Through Laughter
Vanessa’s playful instructions – like asking couples to focus on finding each other’s “favorite nose hair” – quickly turn what could have been awkward interactions into fun, laughter-filled moments. This spontaneity allows her to capture genuine emotions and authentic smiles.
Instead of relying on standard poses, Vanessa encourages her subjects to let loose and enjoy the moment. As she says, the goal isn't just to have them follow directions, but to get them laughing, relaxed, and truly themselves. This approach transforms the experience into something more organic, resulting in natural, joyful expressions that resonate in the final photographs.
An Unexpected Reunion
One of the day’s most memorable moments is when Vanessa comes across a couple who had taken their engagement photos at Liberty State Park 10 years before. Now, they're back, this time with their children in tow. Vanessa immediately recognizes the sentimental value of the moment and takes the opportunity to create new family portraits for them. Using V-Flats, she quickly sets up a simple yet striking white background to get clean, solid images of the kids.
The couple’s return to the same location after a decade, and their decision to wear some of the same outfits from their engagement session, adds an unexpected layer of nostalgia to the shoot. It's a full-circle moment, and Vanessa’s candid, heartfelt approach to photography helps capture the joy of their reunion at this special place.
Language Barriers Didn’t Stop the Fun
What makes this session even more unique is the variety of people Vanessa encounters. Many of her subjects don't speak English as their first language, leading her to communicate in Spanish, Portuguese, Hebrew, and a little English.
Vanessa proves that great photography transcends language, relying on humor and body language to guide her subjects through the process. The results speak for themselves: vibrant, emotional photos that capture the true spirit of the day.
A Day Full of Surprises
Though the goal was to photograph couples, Vanessa ended up capturing a mix of families, individuals, and children. The spontaneous nature of the shoot keeps things fresh and exciting. Even though it isn't her usual type of photography, Vanessa embraces the challenge, bringing her unique style to every interaction.
The combination of humor, quick thinking, and Vanessa's ability to create connections with strangers made this Street Studio episode one to remember. It isn't just about taking photos – it's about capturing human moments in their truest form.
V-Flats Used in Video
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