Street Photography Magazine Podcast

In this episode of the Street Photography Magazine podcast, Bob Patterson sits down with Swiss photographer Michael Eugster. Though relatively new to the street photography scene, his photos are incredibly good, and have garnered him quite a bit of recognition in festivals and exhibits around the world.

When Michael began experimenting more seriously with photography, he first focused on landscapes. (I mean, how could you not if you lived in Switzerland?) But when he started photographing in Zurich, something shifted. As people entered the frame, the images felt more alive.

“Suddenly, people came into the pictures,” he says. “And I realized this is definitely a more interesting element.”

Street photography gave him emotions and stories that landscapes couldn’t.

Once he discovered that, he committed. Michael studied online resources, listened to podcasts, and spent as much time shooting as possible. Practice became the foundation of his progress. The more he photographed real life unfolding around him, the more confident he became in anticipating moments.

Today, Michael approaches street photography with the mindset of a collector. Rather than chasing a single perfect image, he looks for recurring themes that catch his attention over time. Matching colors across strangers, lost gloves abandoned on sidewalks, and even interesting backs, yes, backs, have become ongoing personal projects. These small visual puzzles give him direction while still leaving room for surprise. The street always has the final say, and part of the joy is staying open to whatever appears next.

Community has also played an important role in his growth. Photography festivals introduced him to other street photographers who share ideas, encouragement, and honest feedback. Those connections have helped turn a solitary practice into a shared experience.

Michael’s journey is relatable. He did not begin as an expert. He improved rapidly, simply by staying curious and practicing consistently. For anyone exploring street photography, his experience is a reminder that growth comes from intention and effort.

Links from the show

Michael’s Website

Instagram

Michael on Substack

In this episode, Bob and I had the chance to talk with photographer Xiomaro about a creative path that definitely didn’t start with photography.

Before he ever picked up a camera, Xiomaro’s world revolved around music and law. He performed, managed artists, and built a legal career working with musicians. Photography really only entered the picture after a prostate cancer diagnosis forced him to slow down and rethink what he wanted his life to look like moving forward.

What followed wasn’t some dramatic overnight pivot. It started quietly, with travel and time spent photographing national parks during his recovery. That period led to something pretty remarkable: acceptance into a National Park artist residency. Living and working in that environment gave him space to think, to create without pressure, and to reconnect with curiosity in a way that hadn’t been possible in his previous professional life. His park work grew into exhibitions and commissions, but more importantly, it helped him rediscover the joy of making something simply because he wanted to.

Street photography came later, almost accidentally.

While commuting to a legal job he had taken for financial stability, he began photographing daily life in New York City. Not with a grand vision or a long-term plan. Just as practice. Just to stay engaged creatively.

In our conversation, Xiomaro talks about how his background in music still shapes the way he works today. There’s a strong sense of improvisation in his approach, learning the craft, putting in the reps, and then letting instinct take over. Whether he’s photographing sweeping landscapes in a national park or fleeting moments on a city sidewalk, that same mindset carries through.

We also talk about how surviving cancer changed his relationship to time and to creative work itself. Photography became less about achievement and more about presence. Less about structure and more about play.

It’s a really thoughtful conversation about reinvention, creativity, and how sometimes the things that start as small personal practices end up reshaping your life in ways you never expected.

Links from the show

Xiomaro’s Website

Instagram

“Street Photography of New York City: Street Haunting in the Big Apple” by Xiomaro

“Free Play: Improvisation in Life and Art” by Stephen Nachmanovitch

In the latest episode of the Street Photography Magazine Podcast, Bob Patterson shares an important update about the future of the magazine, and about his own next chapter.

After more than 13 years as publisher, Bob is stepping back from day-to-day leadership and passing the reins to me, Ashley Riffo. This transition has been thoughtful, intentional, and in the works for a while now. The heart and mission of the magazine aren’t changing.

In this episode, Bob reflects on how what started as a six-month experiment turned into the longest role he has ever held. Over the years, Street Photography Magazine grew into a global creative community, something Bob says he’s deeply grateful for. “It’s great work. I’ve loved every minute… almost every minute,” he laughs. 

But in all seriousness, this is his baby. He built it from the ground up. Now, at 72 (and a half), Bob speaks candidly about aging, health, and perspective. A prostate cancer ordeal last year became a wake-up call, prompting him to ask: What do I want to do with the time I have left? His openness is a reminder that creativity and self-reflection don’t have expiration dates.

What This Means for You

Let me be very clear: Street Photography Magazine is not going anywhere.

You can expect the same thoughtful articles, featured photographers, podcasts, and community-driven storytelling. There are no sudden changes planned, no shift in editorial direction, and no interruption to your subscription. Bob will also continue to be involved, especially with the podcast and behind-the-scenes support, so his voice and perspective will remain part of the magazine.

As the magazine naturally evolves, we’ll continue listening closely to this community. One idea we’re exploring is a possible Spanish-language edition. So if that’s something you’d like to see, we’d love to hear from you. And truly, if you have any other ideas for Street Photography Magazine, please, reach out and tell us! You can send all your ideas straight to me at [email protected]. Rest assured, any future changes will be intentional and aligned with the values that brought us all here in the first place.

Bob’s Next Chapter

Bob is returning to his own photography, writing, and personal projects, something he’s been inspired to do by the many photographers he’s met through the magazine. He’ll be sharing that journey through Substack, and I know many of you will want to follow along.

I also want you to know how seriously I take the responsibility of stewarding Street Photography Magazine. This publication exists because of its community, and my goal is to honor its history while guiding it forward with care.

Thank you for being here. And thank you for continuing this journey with us.

Links from the show

Bob’s Substack

James Hazelwood is a Rhode Island-based photographer who recently embraced retirement as an opportunity to pursue photography full-time. Since retiring, he’s launched an ambitious publishing schedule on Substack, where he shares photo stories that blend his street photography aesthetic with personal narratives from his travels and everyday experiences. His work can be found at jameshazelwoodphoto.com, and he’s active on the new photography app Foto.

James has a refreshing approach to street photography—one that extends beyond traditional boundaries to embrace storytelling both in photographs and in written form. Rather than debating what qualifies as “street photography,” he applies the street photographer’s mindset to everything he photographs. As he explains, “The whole candidness, the spontaneousness, trying to find the different angles and ways of capturing moments wherever it happens is street photography.”

This philosophy has led James to create warm and personal photo essays documenting both his travels and intimate personal projects. His Southern Crescent series, published in the January 2026 issue of Street Photography Magazine, captures life in the Mississippi Delta sparked by a Raw Society workshop during the Mighty Roots Music Festival in Stovall, MS.

For photographers looking to develop their storytelling practice, James offers a valuable lesson. Commit to showing up consistently. His photo-a-day project taught him that “if you commit yourself to a daily habit, you can get a lot done.”

Second, be willing to work slowly with sensitive subjects. James acknowledges “I got to really build trust with people. They’re not just going to say, sure, come in and photograph me the first time I meet them.”

Finally, overcome hesitation on the street through simple gestures. James learned from photographer Peter Turnley that a raised eyebrow and questioning look—”without saying a word”—can cross any language barrier and open doors to authentic moments.

James’s work is inspiring because he’s channeling retirement into full-time creative output, proving it’s never too late to commit yourself fully to photography.

Once you give the podcast a listen, I encourage you to spend some quiet time reading some articles in his Substack.

Links from the show

James’s Website

James’s Substack

Instagram

Gear discussion alert!

While we rarely discuss camera gear on this show, I made an exception with Matt because…well because it’s the beginning of the year and for some reason we both started using the same camera at the same time. So why not? It’s probably the last time you hear us discuss it on the show during the remainder of 2026.

Matt’s approach to street photography is different because he’s adapted his photography to social media while maintaining his personal photographic vision. He explains, “The truth is there’s an awful lot of mediocrity around, and mediocrity doesn’t get noticed. It doesn’t matter how many hashtags you place. It doesn’t matter what filter you’re using.” His solution is consistency and quality. Rather than chasing trends, Matt focuses on posting strong images regularly which helps him build recognition over time.

His perspective on creative freedom is equally instructive. When discussing the balance between personal artistic vision and audience expectations, Matt said “If somebody’s paying you or you’re doing a commission, then you have to fit certain parameters. But if you’re doing it for yourself, it can be totally free. Your personal work should be an expression of what you want to say.” This distinction helps photographers understand when to compromise and when to stay true to their personal vision.

Most important, Matt stresses the value of direct human connection in street photography. He believes careful observation and the courage to engage directly with the world are qualities no algorithm can replicate.

Links from the show

Matt’s Instagram

SPM Podcast episode with Matt discussing our recent trips to Cuba in 2018 about 2-weeks apart