018: Street Photography in Cartagena: Embracing Culture & Celebrating Love

Embracing Culture, Celebrating Love: Street Photography in Cartagena

A few months ago, I found myself in Colombia, flying into Bogotá before heading to Cartagena for a friend's wedding. If you've followed my work, you know I rarely pass up the chance to document new places. But this trip was different. I wasn’t in the streets all day, moving with that usual rhythm, chasing fleeting moments. Instead, I was celebrating love, spending time with my wife and friends, and soaking in the energy of the city. Still, I managed to make a few images, and the process of photographing in a different country with a different mindset gave me some new insights into street photography.

I had my Leica M5 loaded with Kodak Tri-X 400, my go-to combination for black and white street photography. I thought about bringing color film, knowing how vibrant Cartagena is, but ultimately stuck with black and white. Looking back, I know now that I’ll always make sure to shoot at least a few rolls of color. These places I’ve been visiting—Cuba, Colombia, and beyond—are alive with richness. The architecture, the street art, the movement, the way the light plays off the walls. That deserves to be seen in full. Lesson learned.

Unlike my usual solo photo walks, where I move with a certain rhythm, locked in and tuned out, this trip required a different approach. I was navigating the city with my wife and friends, which meant slowing down, being present, and experiencing the place instead of just chasing images. And honestly, I appreciated that. It reminded me that sometimes the best photographs come not from searching, but from simply being in the moment.

As photographers, it's easy to get caught up in the chase—always looking for the next frame, the perfect composition, the decisive moment. But this trip reinforced something I’ve been thinking about more lately. Every trip doesn’t have to be a full-on photo project. It’s okay to experience a place without feeling the pressure to document every corner. I wanted to embrace Cartagena, to be present at the wedding, to celebrate my friend’s love. Photography was secondary, and that was perfectly fine.

That said, the few images I did make carry a different weight. They weren’t just about documenting the city. They were about my experience in that moment. And sometimes, that’s enough.

Photographing in a place that isn’t home always shifts my perspective. In the U.S., especially in Atlanta, I have a certain rhythm, a deep familiarity with the culture and the flow of the streets. But in another country, everything slows down a bit. I pay more attention, I observe differently. I also think more about how I engage with the people I’m documenting—how I represent them and their environment in an honest and respectful way. Cartagena, with its deep history and energy, made me think about these things even more.

Colombia made me realize something I want to incorporate into my work moving forward: color. As much as I love black and white, I don’t want to limit my storytelling by ignoring the full depth of what a place offers. Countries like Cuba and Colombia breathe in color—sun-faded walls, bright fabrics catching the wind, street murals telling stories of resilience and history. I want to make sure I do those places justice by incorporating color into my work when it makes sense.

That doesn’t mean I’m stepping away from Tri-X 400 (because let’s be real, that’s not happening), but I’ll be more intentional about carrying both black and white and color film on future trips.

If you want to check out my images from Cartagena, you can view them here. Also, if you haven’t seen my post about photographing in Cuba, you can read that here.

This trip was a reminder that photography and life don’t always have to compete. Sometimes, the best way to document a place is to simply live in it. And when you do pick up the camera, those images tend to mean a little more.

If you’re interested in refining your approach to street photography, check out my post on A Gameplan for Better Street Photography—it’s been resonating with a lot of photographers online lately.

Until next time, keep creating, keep experiencing, and don’t forget to embrace the moment.

003: Being Featured on Paulie B's Walkie Talkie Series

Being Featured on Paulie B's Walkie Talkie Series

Shot on: Leica M5, Kodak Tri-X 400, 35mm Film

Paulie B's Walkie Talkie series. This wasn’t just a regular feature—it was a moment that made me stop and say, “WTF.” Being the first person from Atlanta on the series added a layer of pride and significance that’s hard to put into words.

Paulie B’s Walkie Talkie is not your typical interview series. It’s a platform where real stories are told, creativity is celebrated, and artists are given the space to reflect on their journeys. Walking through the city with him as he recorded me photographing and asked questions felt less like an interview and more like a meaningful conversation with someone genuinely interested in my perspective.

This opportunity pushed me to reflect on why I do what I do. Why do I pick up my camera? What draws me to document the world through my lens? How does my identity as a Black artist shape the way I create? These questions are always with me, but this experience gave me the space to express them in ways I hadn’t before.

This wasn’t just about being featured; it was about being part of a bigger story. It’s about showing up authentically, honoring the creatives who came before me, and making space for the next generation. It’s about documenting life as it is—the beautiful, the complicated, the mundane—and making it matter.

The episode, which you can watch here, was a moment of pause in the hustle of everyday life. Paulie’s thoughtful approach made me dig deep, and I’m grateful for the chance to share a part of my journey with a wider audience.

If you haven’t tuned into Walkie Talkie, do yourself a favor. Paulie has a way of pulling stories out of people that stay with you long after the conversation ends. His lineup of artists is nothing short of inspiring, and I’m honored to be a part of it.

Take a moment to watch the episode, and let me know what you think. As always, I appreciate your support—it means everything. I’m excited to keep documenting, creating, and sharing the stories that matter most.

A day with Atlanta Photographer Stan Johnson | Walkie Talkie Around the U.S. Ep. 10