Faces in the crowd: Capturing strangers through portraits

Explore the art of street portraiture through real-world encounters with strangers.

Learn how to approach people, navigate rejection, and capture meaningful portraits.

Discover what both photographer and subject gain from the exchange—and how every face holds a story worth telling. A journey in empathy, connection, and visual storytelling.

What makes a portrait truly memorable? For me, it’s not just the light or the background, it’s the connection.

In this talk, I will share how I approach photographing strangers on the street: from finding intriguing faces and working with natural light, to how a simple conversation can transform the encounter. I will also reflect on how this differs in the studio, where the environment is more controlled, but the challenge of building trust and revealing authenticity remains the same.

If you love photography but sometimes feel too shy to step out and ask, or if you’ve wondered how to bring that same sense of intimacy into a studio setting, then this talk is especially for you. Together, we’ll explore how portraiture is more than the final image; it’s about building trust, breaking down barriers, and discovering the beauty of human connections, whether in the chaos of the street or the quiet of the studio.

Whether you’re a street photographer, a portrait lover, or simply curious about photography, this session will show you how photography can be more than taking a picture; it can be an encounter, a story, and a moment of shared humanity.

Drawing on real-life experiences, including portraits of well-known public figures and everyday individuals alike, Charles explores how vulnerability and trust play out in fleeting interactions. He is particularly interested in how photography can break down barriers, create dialogue, and challenge comfort zones.

His presentation reflects this journey—offering not just images, but insights into courage, communication, and the human experience.

Come if you are curious and would like to hear how portraiture, whether in the street or the studio, reveals the beauty of everyday human connections. This session celebrates not just the photograph, but the shared experience behind it.

About Charles

Charles McGuigan is a graduate of the University of Stirling, where he earned a First Class Honours degree in Photography . Fascinated by the stories behind everyday faces, Charles seeks out strangers and captures spontaneous, authentic moments through conversation and connection.

His work is rooted in the belief that photography is as much about people as it is about pictures—where each encounter, whether a rejection or a “yes,” offers something meaningful.

" ... what drives my portrait work is the conversation as much as the image. I’m drawn to people who stand out, whether through character, style, or simply the way they move through the world. A quick exchange on the street or a longer chat often shapes the portrait itself, turning it into more than a likeness: it becomes a glimpse into someone’s story. For me, portraiture is about trust, curiosity, and openness, capturing people honestly, expressively, and full of life." Charles

The Stirling Photography Festival is delighted to be supported again this year by The Barracks Conference Centre and The Robertson Trust. We have worked together with them since 2020 to bring artists and photography projects which address and explore issues of social significance and showcase the talent in our community.

"Our vision, rooted in our heritage, is for a fair and compassionate Scotland where everyone is valued and able to flourish." The Robertson Trust