Why Personal Street Photos Matter

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Mar 7, 2025

Join Pia Parolin, a multifaceted scientist, biologist, and photographer, as she delves into how personal stories can elevate street photography. She shares her poignant experiences capturing resilience after tragedy and reflects on the intimate journey with her daughter during adolescence. Pia emphasizes the power of genuine emotional connections in photography and the importance of curating personal narratives. With a nod to her impactful work and vulnerability, she highlights the beauty of turning personal challenges into universal art.

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INSIGHT

Personal and Universal

The more personal your photographic work, the more universal its appeal becomes.
This resonates with people on a deeper level, as shared experiences evoke stronger emotions.

ANECDOTE

Sam Abell's Father

Bob Patterson recounts Sam Abell's story about his most cherished photograph.
It depicts his father with Alzheimer's, a deeply personal yet universally relatable subject.

ANECDOTE

Nice Promenade Series

Pia Parolin discusses her series on the Promenade des Anglais after the 2016 Nice attack.
She photographed its beauty, creating seemingly light images that carried a heavy message.

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In this episode, Ashley Riffo and I welcome back Pia Parolin. We talk about how making your work more personal actually makes it connect with more people on a deeper level. It’s a concept, while is as old as Aristotle, been brewing in my mind for a long time, and we’re excited to explore it with you.

Key Takeaways

Pia shared insights from Susan Sontag and her own experiences, like her series on the Promenade des in Nice after a terrorist used a truck to kill 86 and injure over 400 people celebrating Bastille Day. Her photos, seemingly light and colorful, carried a heavy message of resilience and reclaiming happiness. It really underscored how personal experiences, when channeled through art, can speak volumes.

We touched on balancing personal expression with leaving space for others to project their own emotions onto your work. Think about those moments when you’re truly present, capturing genuine interactions. That’s where the magic happens, and those images? They speak volumes without a single word.

Behind the Scenes

One of the things that struck me most was Pia’s vulnerability in sharing her series about her daughter’s adolescence. It was a tough time for both of them, but turning it into art became a love declaration. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most challenging moments can yield the most meaningful work.

I also brought up Sam Abell’s powerful photo of his father with Alzheimer’s. It’s intensely personal, yet universally relatable because it talks about family and memory. Since Pia’s article last year, Ashley and I have been seeing this everywhere, and we didn’t even realize it. It’s kind of cool when that happens, isn’t it?

What’s Next

Listen to the full episode. Pia shares practical tips to infuse your work with personal meaning and tap into universal themes. Look for those interactions that everyone understands. A smile, a loving touch, a child gazing at their mom—these are universal moments that resonate deeply.