Street photography is one thing, Street Portraits quite another.

The character Left Ear said in the film Italian Job 2, "I don't do dogs... I had a real bad experience, man.”

I haven’t had a “real bad experience” of street photography - but it doesn’t scratch the itch. What does, is to connect with people on the street, engage, listen and ultimately - if it’s ok with them - take their photo. A whole different approach.

My experiences in Iraq and more recently Zambia, was not just that I take the photo of someone but in no time at all, there are many people gathered around to have their photo taken also! Now that I have a Canon Selphy printer, I can print off the image there and then and give to the person. Imagine the interaction on the street..

There is so much richness in the countries where life is on the street. Time usually. A willingness to talk and engage. Stories. Resilience from everything life has thrown at them. Hope despite visual realities.

Here then are just some of my favourites over the years.

Close-up black and white portrait of an elderly Zambian man wearing a wide-brimmed hat, with textured skin and a beard, dressed in a suit jacket and collared shirt.
A black-and-white photograph of an elderly man with a beard, wearing a headscarf and a traditional head covering, sitting outdoors.
Two men are smiling for a selfie on a street with cars, buildings, and palm trees in the background.
Black and white close-up portrait of a man wearing a puffy jacket, standing indoors with blurred people in the background.
A black and white portrait of an elderly Zambian man with short, gray hair and deep facial wrinkles, wearing a checkered shirt, standing against a plain background.
A man with a beard wearing a patterned hat, plaid shirt, and jacket, carrying a tray with metal cups and plastic cups, standing outdoors, with cars and trees in the background.
A black and white close-up photograph of a man with short hair and a beard, wearing a patterned scarf around his neck, with a cityscape blurred in the background.
A black and white close-up photograph of an elderly Zambian man wearing a suit, shirt, and a cap, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression.
A smiling man with a beard and short hair, wearing a patterned scarf and a dark jacket, standing in front of hanging meat.
A man with a beard wearing a striped sweater, a cap, and a neck gaiter, sitting in front of a brick wall, with a hand on a steering wheel, looking at the camera in black and white.
Close-up black-and-white portrait of an elderly Zambian man wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a striped collared shirt with a neutral expression, blurred people in the background.
A black-and-white close-up of a middle-aged man wearing a beanie hat and layered clothing, outdoors.
Three men wearing muddy boots and casual outdoor clothing sitting against a graffiti-covered wall, suggestive of a post-activity scene like hiking or exploring.
Black and white photo of a smiling Zambian woman wearing a patterned dress, headscarf, and necklaces, with a brick wall in the background.
An elderly man and a young boy smiling together, with the boy's arm around the man's shoulder.
Three people in a store, two women and one man, smiling and standing close together. The woman on the left is wearing a headscarf, the woman in the middle is wearing a face mask, and the man on the right has short hair. Shelves with various products
An elderly man with a beard and mustache, wearing a beanie, plaid shirt, and jacket, flexing his right arm and smiling outdoors.
Black and white photo of a man wearing a stripe beanie with the word 'SPORT' on it, a scarf, and a jacket, standing outdoors in an urban environment.
Two men standing in a store aisle filled with food products, smiling at the camera.
Close-up black and white photo of a Zambian woman wearing a headscarf, smiling gently.
A black and white close-up of an elderly man with a graying beard and mustache, wearing a beanie and a dark jacket with embroidered details, in a setting with wooden shelves in the background.
Six men standing outdoors in a narrow alleyway, with one man kneeling in the front. They are dressed casually, some wearing hoodies, jackets, or sportswear, and appear to have been involved in a physical activity, suggested by their slightly dirty cl
Close-up black-and-white portrait of an elderly Zambian man with short hair, wearing a collared shirt.
Black and white photo of a man wearing a baseball cap backward, hoodie, and a face mask pulled down under his chin, smiling at the camera.
An older man with white hair and beard and a younger man with short curly hair in a workshop or garage, both looking at the camera.
Close-up black and white portrait of a middle-aged Zambian man wearing a cap and casual shirt, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression.
Six smiling boys in a group photo, some with arms around each other, outdoors at a crowded event.
Close-up of a middle-aged man with short gray hair, squinting in sunlight, outdoors with blurred people and objects in the background.
Two men with beards and dark curly hair standing in front of hanging animal skins at a butcher shop. The man on the left is smiling, wearing a patterned sweater and a belt, while the man on the right has a serious expression, wearing a dark jacket wi
Two young men standing in a meat shop with hanging cuts of meat in the background, smiling at the camera.