Great photos require building relationship

Nikon D5, Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art Lens, ISO 2800, ƒ/4, 1/100

We spent time in the small village of San Benito, Nicaragua helping the students in our Storytelling workshop how to get access to take those photos that help you show how the people in another culture live.

Nikon D5, Nikon 85mm ƒ/1.8G, ISO 1000, ƒ/1.8, 1/100

Now we did piggyback with a team that did a puppet show for the children in the village. They had already built relationships with the community. This gave us a huge advantage because all the good relationships that had been done let us say while walking down the dirt streets we were with the puppet team.

We also were able to take photos of the meals that Servants with a Heart had prepared back in Matthews, NC with two little boys holding those meals. Again this was helping us establish we are there to help them.

Nikon D5, Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art Lens, ISO 110, ƒ/4, 1/100

After pulling up and walking down the street with cameras it didn't take long for many people to come out to see all the Gringos with cameras walking down their street.

I was showing the students that I started with some small chit-chat with an interpreter and taking portraits of the people and showing them the results on the back of the screen.

I asked the lady how many people she cooks for and if she would show us her kitchen.

Nikon D5, Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art Lens, ISO 7200, ƒ/4, 1/100

So to get good photos you must do it in stages. You are building a relationship. If you try and jump to the photo you want right away rather than doing it in stages you may shut down the relationship. Take you time and get to know the subject.