Embracing the 100 Strangers Photography Challenge
How Vijay Britto overcame fear to capture authentic portraits
In the new episode of Get the Picture, Brad Sigal sits down with Vijay Britto, a portrait photographer whose journey into photography began with a leap of faith into the world of street portraits. Vijay's story is not just about mastering camera techniques; it's an inspiring tale of overcoming inhibitions to connect with people through the lens.
From Software Engineering to Photography
Vijay Britto, originally from Mumbai and now based in the Washington D.C. area, never imagined he would become a photographer. His career started in software engineering, but a chance encounter with the Project 365 sparked his interest. This project involves taking a photo every day for a year, which introduced Vijay to the power of photography beyond the automatic camera settings.
The Hundred Strangers Project
Vijay's journey took a pivotal turn when he learned about the 100 Strangers Project — an intimidating photography challenge that requires photographers to approach strangers and ask to take their portraits. The idea initially seemed daunting, even crazy, but Vijay's curiosity and passion for capturing human expressions - especially focusing on the eyes - drove him to try it.
Vijay recalls, "It took me about four or five months to gather the courage to actually go on with it. But once I did, it became a pivotal part of my journey."
For those unfamiliar, the project emphasizes creating authentic connections with people rather than just candid shots, something that Vijay found both challenging and rewarding. It has led to both long-term friendships with people he approached on the streets, and has also led to paid photography work. Some people he did portraits with on the street liked him and his work so much that they have hired him to do their family portraits and wedding photography.
Lessons Learned and Moving Forward
Vijay's first successful attempt involved a woman named Ariel, whom he approached outside his gym. Her willingness to participate was a turning point, reinforcing his belief that first impressions can be deceiving.
"If she had said no, maybe my journey would not have been the way it turned out to be," Vijay reflects.
Since then, Vijay has completed two 100 Strangers projects and is working on his third, taking a more deliberate pace this time. I'm also doing the 100 Strangers project, which I started in 2020 just before the pandemic. I'm still working on my first 100 strangers, though I'm inching closer to the finish line. I recently posted my 77th stranger portrait. You can see the portraits I've done so far here.
For aspiring photographers, both Vijay and I suggest maybe starting with a 365 Project to build confidence and explore different styles before taking on more ambitious projects like 100 Strangers. Or you can feel free to jump right into a 100 Strangers project! It's up to you!
As you consider your next photography adventure, remember Vijay's story — it's a reminder that sometimes, stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to the most rewarding experiences. For more insights and the full conversation, listen to the episode.
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Brad Sigal
The next episode of Get the Picture will tackle shooting analong in 2026. If you've been curious to try out film photography, or have shot film but not yet developed film or made prints yourself, my conversastion with analog photographer and printmaker Jake Gale will be for you! Look for it in about 2 weeks!
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