Photography can be hugely overwhelming. When I go to a photo shoot, I find myself staring at my camera case the night before, trying to decide what to bring. Wide lens, telephoto lens, tripod? Which flash, how much?

In street photography, the frame is really different. Mind you, street photography is a sport. On an average day, you step around your city of choice for about 15 kilometres. Maybe even more.

Checklist for street photography

Because as a (beginning) street photographer, you may have the same challenges as I do for a photo shoot, I have compiled a street photography checklist for you. Of course, this is not an exhaustive list, but these are the things I see as essentials. Even if you participate in one of my street photography workshops, this is a handy list!

1. Good shoes

Seriously, if you want to take pictures with your phone, I can understand that. But hitting the streets with bad shoes, that really is a no-go. Choose walking shoes or decent trainers, and match your socks to your shoes.

2. Additional batteries

There are several reasons why your battery drains faster during a day of street photography. One of the main ones is that you almost always have your camera on, to have it ready for that unexpected moment. But cold weather also has a negative effect on your battery. Take a spare with you.

3. 28mm to 50mm

The lens choice for the day is a lens with a 28 to 50 millimetre focal length. If you have a zoom lens, make sure it's a 24-70mm, for example. But try to limit yourself to 1 focal length so that you can eventually make a good estimate of your composition without looking into your viewfinder.
Of course, you are free to use any lens you like, but for unity in my workshops, I ask participants to bring such a lens.

4. Phone

A lot of street photography finds its way onto Instagram, the phone is handy for that. I also use Instagram to find an extra interesting spot in a city. I like to get lost, and then use Google Maps to get "home". From experience, I know that if you join a street photography workshop and lose the group, a phone is very handy.

5. Business cards

Two reasons why I put this one on my street photography checklist. The first is that in a spontaneous street portrait, you can give a card so that the subject can contact you for the photo. The second is that should you get into a discussion about what you are doing, your business card makes you look just that little bit more professional.

6. Lens cloth

Everyone always wants to borrow these things from me, but this thing is indispensable. Dirt, water, smudges, your lens has some things to endure during a day in that dusty city. A lens cloth is essential for that sharp photo. You don't want your camera to focus on the smudge on your lens. Those handy little lens wipes from the optician are ideal, or a nano/microfibre cloth of course (available at the market).

7. Freezer bag

Wait, what? Well, we live in a country with regular rain. I usually carry a freezer bag in my jacket pocket during the dark months of the year. That bag has a hole at the bottom that fits exactly around my lens. That way, I can keep on photographing even when it rains!

Of course, you can leave that pouch at home if your camera is waterproof!

8. Your favourite podcast or music

Especially if you go out alone, the city can be overwhelming. There is always something happening, and any noise or chatter distracts from the big goal: that one great photo. By putting on a podcast, or listening to your favorite music listen, you can zoom out completely while being in the middle of the action. There are many podcasts on street photography. Just search on Spotify for the name of your favourite street photographer!

As I said, the list is not exhaustive. And everyone has their own preferences. But in a nutshell, this is my street photography checklist. See you soon, on the streets!