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Ask Permission

Introduce yourself and start a conversation. Allan Lissner points out that you can often guage how friendly and receptive a person will be to having a photo taken by asking then some questions about the place.

Kids' Stuff

Children are sometimes easier to approach but it’s a good idea, when possible, to ask permission of a parent or an adult from their community.

Saying Thanks

Providing your subject with a print of the picture you took is a great way to thank them. For someone living in an isolated village, a durable laminated print may be appropriate.  Photographer and regular Verge contributor, Trevor Lush suggests thinking in terms of “giving a picture” rather than “taking a picture.”

More Information

Photographer Allan Lissner is one of Verge's Global Heroes. Click here to learn about his work. For more on photographing people, read Portraits that Speak Volumes and Freeze Frame in Luang Namtha.

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