Winnipeg Street: Portraits Without Names
Sometimes, either through loss of memory, failure to ask, or refusal to give, I don’t get a name to put with the face of the people I meet on the street. If I forget, it can be very frustrating and is one of the reasons why I always carry a small notebook with me. Whether you’re shooting street photography or portraits, carrying a notebook will help you recall the scene at a later date.
You don’t need to write down all the details of the
moment, but a few key elements that can help tell the story if necessary. A persons name isn’t required for the portrait to be meaningful, it is just another detail that helps enhance the encounter. These portraits are special to me for different reasons and I can easily explain what happened during these meetings. Having their names doesn’t make them any more or less
memorable for me. The name is simply a bonus.
Mike Pratt Photography Blog 
Great photography, very emotional perspective. I agree the name might detract.
Thank you Victor! Sometimes it’s just best to let a picture be a picture – without any further detail.
Beautiful portraits.
Thank you Iana!
Nice series Mike , I like the Moosehead man , what a terrific looking character .The beautiful shot of father and daughter , how nice would it have been to be able to have an email to send them the photo. I know that frustrating feeling when I made a street portrait and forgot the name of the person , sometimes they told me but I guess I was really thinking about the picture and it didn’t really register. Like yourself I keep a small notebook and just jot down a few notes to help me remember .
Thank you Gavin! To this day has always been known to me as the “kind faced man”. Very soft spoken and genuinely curious about the camera I was using – especially the LCD screen. Sometimes, I kick myself after the fact because I know many of these individuals would love to see their photos. It is even more frustrating if they gave me their name and I forget which is why the notebook is such a great tool to have in the back pocket!
Excellent work. True, name is jut a bonus.
Thank you my friend!
Great portraits, very candid and expressive.
Thank you Mark!
Lovely photos :)
Much appreciated, Nomzi!
You are welcome Mike :)
This one is a beauty Mike :D
Thank you Joe!
These are wonderful images. You have a real talent my friend
Bob
Always appreciated, Bob! Thank you. Always learning and developing this passion!
Me to my friend me to!
Mike, these images are disarming with their vulnerability and some of the most uplifting photographs I’ve ever seen. Each one seems to capture the souls right through the eyes, expressions, smiles and wonder on each individual’s face. You may not have gotten their names, but they are all love. Thank you for sharing your amazing talents with us!!!
Thank you Allison! What you wrote really means a lot. It is sometimes remarkable what can be captured in a split second – I feel every person has the potential to say a lot about themselves, even if they don’t realize it at the time.
this is beautiful
Thank you Laura!
Another awesome post. This is a very powerful image on it’s own, but what makes even stronger is your perspective, care thoughts on photographing people. This is a wonderful image Mike.
Thank you so much, Nicole! I’m really happy that these photos can reach people on different emotional levels. Your words are encouraging and very much appreciated!
All are really beautiful and expressive but the first one is golden my Friend! You just made my day :)
Thank you! This photo also remains one of my favorites. Happy Monday to you :)
Beautiful! I specially love the first photograph. There’s something with the way the man is staring out at something/someone combined with the seemingly shyness of the girl :)
Thank you Cathy! Her expression is, as you mention, shy but also somewhat calming. I really loved this moment between father and daughter.