Photo in this graphic by Zukiman Mohamad

Photography quotes can both inspire and educate. At the very least, they’re a nice way to pass the time. There are plenty of iconic quotes to share, and some unknown gems as well. In this article we’re highlighting our favorite quotes about photography. Some are from the icons and others are from photographers we have featured here on Them Frames.

Famous Photography Quotes

Let’s open this show with some of the most famous photography quotes. We’re also going to offer some interpretation and thought on each of them.

Interpretation: Because photography encourages you to slow down, you become more analytical of the world. This helps you see things that would normally pass you by.

Quote: “When I have a camera in my hand, I know no fear.” – Alfred Eisenstaedt

Interpretation: Photography can give all of us confidence boost. A camera is our harmless weapon and it makes us feel safe and assured when in our hands.

Quote: “There is one thing the photograph must contain, the humanity of the moment.” — Robert Frank

Interpretation: An image needs to have something a human can relate to, connect to and thus understand. Without this connection, the photograph has less value and meaning.

Quote: “Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.” — Aaron Siskind

Interpretation: Photographs help you connect to moments and feelings that the mind can no longer store. It’s a beautiful means of reflection.

Quote: “When you acquire an understanding of the science behind light and what governs it, then you can predict its behavior and control the lighting in photographs.” – Roberto Valenzuela

Interpretation: Lighting is at the foundation of every image. Once you learn how it can change the mood of your image, you gain more control over the photographs you create.

Quote: “The best thing about a picture is that it never changes, even when the people in it do.” — Andy Warhol

Interpretation: Humans evolve, however, images hold a fixed representation of people at a specific time in life.

Quote: “The picture that you took with your camera is the imagination you want to create with reality.” — Scott Lorenzo

Interpretation: An image you create is essentially your way of seeing the world. It’s your perspective captured within a single moment in time.

Quote: “I really believe there are things nobody would see if I didn’t photograph them.” — Diane Arbus

Interpretation: Thanks to photography, we can show the world things that don’t always stand out at the forefront. Without it, our understanding of the world wouldn’t be as detailed.

Quote: “Photography has nothing to do with cameras.” — Lucas Gentry

Interpretation: Photography is about the human vision and finding a way to portray how you see life. The camera is simply a tool to assist in making that vision a reality.

Quote: ”If you wait, people will forget your camera, and the soul will drift up into view.” – Steve McCurry

Interpretation: Be patient and people will be less aware you are directing your camera towards them. Once they soften, their true authentic self will come out and you can make meaningful photographs.

Photography Quotes From Different Genres

Now we’ll take a look at some inspirational photography quotes that relate to different genres within the field.

Quotes For Black & White Photography

Kicking things off, here quotes for black & white photography lovers.

Interpretation: People tend to favor more vibrant colors, however, one of the most under appreciated and beautiful colors is black.

Quote: “Black and white photography erases time from the equation.” – Jason Peterson

Interpretation: Black and white imagery can last forever and feel relevant at any point in time. The aesthetic makes a scene completely timeless.

Quote: “Life is in color, but black and white is more realistic.” – Samuel Fuller

Interpretation: The vibrance of the world can stop us seeing the rawness of reality. Strip it away, and replace it with black & white, you’ll quickly see the realness of life.

Quote: Black and white has the potential to make any photographer a better photographer.” – Rob Sheppard

Interpretation: Sometimes it can be easy to lean in on color and not think about the other elements in a scene. By shooting in black and white you’re forced to think about the story within the image and the emotions they can produce.

Quote: “Black and white photography has the potential to make any photographer a better photographer.” – Rob Sheppard

Interpretation: Black and white photography makes it easier to hide flaws within your image.

Quotes For Portrait Photography

Moving forward, here are some of our favorite photography quotes for portraiture…

Interpretation: Portrait photographers need to grip the viewer, uplift them and find a way to hold their attention.

Quote: “A portrait is not made in the camera but on either side of it.” — Edward Steichen

Interpretation: Portraiture is a collaborative effort between the subject(s) and the photographer. By working together, a portrait is made.

Quote: “It’s one thing to make a picture of what a person looks like, it’s another thing to make a portrait of who they are.” — Paul Caponigro

Interpretation: A simple selfie is just a mirror image of the person. A portrait brings out the personality and essence of the subject.

Quote: In a portrait, you always leave part of yourself behind.” – Mary Ellen Mark

Interpretation: Even when photographing someone else, you have to put a part of yourself within the portrait

Quote: “When a portrait evokes a feeling, then you’ve got something. Technique isn’t really important.” – Bert Stern

Interpretation: It doesn’t matter if the portrait is blurry or has an unorthodox composition, if you make the viewer feel, it’s a success.

Quotes For Street Photography

We’re now moving onto street photography quotes. If you’re new to the craft, we recommend reading our Street Photography: The Ultimate Guide For Beginners to help you get started.

Interpretation: Street photographs are a reflection of what is important to us in life. The more we document the more we connect to our personal values and identity.

Quote: “The more pictures you see, the better you are as a photographer.” – Robert Mapplethorpe

Interpretation: Practice makes perfect. The more data you gather the better you can analyze it and find improvements you can make to your images.

Quote: “If you want to be a better photographer, stand in front of more interesting stuff.” – Jim Richardson

Interpretation: Push yourself out of your comfort zone. The streets are full of exciting stories, so get yourself amongst them and make photographs.

Quote: In street photography, there’s no hiding. You’re out in the middle of the action and have to rely on your own judgment, ability, and courage as a photographer to make a meaningful photograph.” – Alex Webb

Interpretation: The streets are not a space for mindful collaboration. With so much going on, you have to make the right decision on what to photograph. Believe in yourself plus your vision, and good images will come.

Quote: “The camera makes everyone a tourist in other people’s reality, and eventually in one’s own.” – Susan Sontag

Interpretation: By photographing people on the streets, you’re exploring the world’s of others. Eventually this will lead to introspection and encourage you to view your own reality.

Photography Quotes on Them Frames

The foundation of Them Frames are our photographer interviews. In each conversation, we ask the photographer why they need photography in their life. Here are some of our favorite responses to date…

“I am bad with words so this is the only outlet for my feelings”. — Joanna Canara

Read full interview with Joanna Canara.

“There are so many beating hearts I need to share the love of oneself and one's own life with, frame by frame”. — Fuckthatnoise

Read full interview with Fuckthatnoise.

“It is a therapeutic tool I use to explore my inner world, emotions and thoughts on the human experience”. -— Gabriel Isak

Read full interview with Gabriel Isak.

“It's my self-expression. Portrait photography, in particular, is a means to express things that, perhaps, it would be healthier if I expressed them in other ways. I don't know, but it works, it’s sufficient. It's a way for me to share my opinions or my view on things or feelings in a way that is less daunting for me than, maybe just saying stuff”. — Ivan Weiss

Read full interview with Ivan Weiss.

“It keeps me grounded. I’m a visual person and photography allows me to save, sort through, and remember the special and mundane moments that I see and experience”. — Nora Lalle

Read full interview with Nora Lalle.

“It fulfills me and I'm able to make others happy. That’s all I want.” — Sarah Zak

Read full interview with Sarah Zak.

“The world is just too beautiful to experience it alone. I love showing others what I see as much as I love experiencing new places or sights through other people’s photographs and unique points of view”. — Tamara Torres

Read full interview with Tamara Torres.

“My photographs are a visual diary for me. My mother always had a camera handy when we were growing up and pouring back over those memories gives me so much joy. I started shooting me and my friends hanging out in high school and it continued in college. I treasure all those memories, the things I’ve kept and the things I’ve lost”. — Stephen Miller

Read full interview with Stephen Miller.

“It's a part of me. It's like it's a part of my body, part of my breathing. If I don't take photos, I feel empty. Photography helps me manage my emotions and organize my thoughts and that's very important to me”. — Adelaide Khaled

Read full interview with Adelaide Khaled.

Signing Off

We hope you found these photography quotes useful. Use them to reflect on your own practice and to inspire you to do the most important thing…go out and create photographs. We’d also love to read some of your favorite quotes about photography. Let us know in the comments below which gave you the most inspiration. Thanks for reading.

Want your work featured on Them Frames? Pitch us.

Follow Them Frames

Them Frames in an independent photography publication, aiming to offer an ad-free experience to our readers. Your optional donation can help us achieve this.