What makes a street photograph stay in your head and why are the best ones often the ones that never explain what's happening?

In this episode, I sit down with Julie Hrudova, an Amsterdam-based street photographer, YouTuber, and founder of the curated project STREET REPEAT, who I caught in Palermo, Sicily, where she's spending a month shooting, teaching a street photography workshop, and collaborating with local photo organizations.

Julie was born in Prague, grew up in the Netherlands, and spent 12 years as a photo editor for national TV news before going all-in on her own photography, including a weekly photo assignment for an Amsterdam newspaper.

We talk about why she deliberately leaves her images unclear, capturing the absurdity and strangeness of everyday life so the story grows in the viewer's imagination instead of being handed to them. She explains how to approach strangers on the street, when making contact gives you more access to a scene rather than less, and why documenting spontaneous daily life matters more than ever in a world where everyone curates their own image.

Julie also breaks down what actually happens in her street photography workshops, why portfolio reviews accelerate your growth faster than shooting alone (including the tree-growing-out-of-someone's-head lesson that humbled her early on), and how she pushes photographers toward their own obsessions and personal style instead of imitation.

We also explore:

• Why ambiguity and mystery make street photos more powerful
• How to approach and photograph strangers respectfully
• "Hunting vs. fishing" in street photography — and doing both at once
• What to expect from a street photography workshop and portfolio review
• Shooting on assignment: one photo a week for an Amsterdam newspaper
• Overcoming "home blindness" and finding fresh scenes in your own city
• Street photography in Palermo, Amsterdam, and Prague

If you're a beginner or self-taught photographer who wants to build confidence photographing people, develop a personal style, and make images that raise questions instead of answering them, Julie's perspective will change how you see your next walk with a camera.

Show notes:

Julie Hrudova's website: https://www.juliehrudova.com
Julie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrudography/
STREET REPEAT: https://www.instagram.com/streetrepeat/
Julie's online course: https://juliehrudova.plugandpay.com/readthestreet

Welcome to the Big Photo Hunt, arguably the worlds friendliest photography community.

Some more stuff for you:

• The Big Photo Hunt is the world's friendliest photography community.
• Ken Deckinger created a YouTube channel for learnings and tips.
• And of course, the Big Photo Hunt is on Instagram.

What does it actually take to get better at photography and how do you find a style that's truly your own?

In this episode, I sit down with Mariah Adams, a Sacramento-based street photographer and one of the original members of the Big Photo Hunt, who's been making images for nearly a decade.

Mariah's path started with her grandmother's camera and grew into a genuine creative obsession, and she's refreshingly honest about how she learned by shooting constantly, experimenting, and never being afraid to fail.

We talk about why putting your camera in manual mode and leaving it there is one of the fastest ways to truly understand photography, how learning the relationship between your settings and your image - depth of field, light, all of it - changes everything, and why your "bad" photos are some of the most valuable frames you'll ever take.

Mariah also shares why street photography became her genre of choice, how she learned to show the world through her own perspective, and what keeps her reaching for her camera almost every single day.

We also get into her gear journey, the playful creative experiments she loves, and what it's like to grow alongside a photography community from week one.

We also explore:

• Why shooting in manual mode accelerates your learning
• How aperture, shutter speed, and depth of field shape an image
• Why bad photos are essential to growing as a photographer
• Finding your style through street photography
• Staying motivated and keeping the drive to shoot
• How a grandparent's influence can shape a lifelong creative path
• Learning to see and shoot the world through your own perspective

If you're a beginner or self-taught photographer trying to build real skills, find your style, and stay inspired, Mariah's story and practical, no-nonsense advice will give you ideas you can put into practice the moment you pick up your camera.

Show Notes:

Mariah Adams Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahannphotog/

Welcome to the Big Photo Hunt, arguably the worlds friendliest photography community.

Some more stuff for you:

• The Big Photo Hunt is the world's friendliest photography community.
• Ken Deckinger created a YouTube channel for learnings and tips.
• And of course, the Big Photo Hunt is on Instagram.

When should a photo live in color, and when is it stronger in monochrome?

In this episode, I sit down with Rebecca Kowalsky, a Jerusalem-based photographer and YouTuber whose practical teaching style and rapid channel growth have inspired thousands of photographers around the world. We dig into one of the biggest creative decisions every photographer faces: choosing between black and white or color.

Rebecca shares clear, real-world guidance on how to think about contrast, emotion, storytelling and distraction inside the frame. We talk about why committing to a choice matters, why fewer images often tell a stronger story, and how harsh midday light can become your secret weapon instead of something to avoid.

We also explore:

• How removing color can simplify composition
• Why high-contrast scenes are perfect for monochrome
• The danger of posting too many photos
• Building a cohesive photo essay
• Practical ways to train your eye
• Growing a photography YouTube channel from zero
• Finding inspiration at any stage of your journey

If you are trying to level up your photography, make more intentional images, and understand what actually makes a frame powerful, this conversation will give you ideas you can try immediately.

Show Notes:
Rebecca Kowalsky: https://imagesthroughtime.com
Rebecca Kowalsky Instagram
Rebecca Kowalsky YouTube

Welcome to the Big Photo Hunt, arguably the worlds friendliest photography community.

Some more stuff for you:

• The Big Photo Hunt is the world's friendliest photography community.
• Ken Deckinger created a YouTube channel for learnings and tips.
• And of course, the Big Photo Hunt is on Instagram.