Jan 2025 cover photo by Dean Hinnant
Street Photography Magazine is a digital publication that has been going strong for over a decade now. It’s founder, Bob Patterson, started the magazine from scratch in 2012, and it began as a digital magazine published through the former Apple Newsstand. An avid street photographer himself at the time, Bob created the magazine as a place where photographers could come together, share, and learn from one another. Fast forward to today, and SPM has expanded it to include both a monthly issue of the digital magazine and a podcast with well over 200 episodes under its belt.
Over the years, Street Photography Magazine has interviewed and published work from some spectacularly talented street photographers from around the world. We continue to be amazed by how street photographers from all walks of life, living all around the planet seem to possess, almost universally, the keen observation skills needed to find beauty and tragedy, chaos and joy in mundane situations. We believe street and documentary photography matter because they cuts through division and show the truth beneath it: people, everywhere, being human. The magazine amplifies those moments, sharing stories from around the world that connect us through our shared humanity.
In addition, we still believe that street photographers – professionals and hobbyists alike – deserve a safe and inspiring space where they can share their work, get introduced to other passionate storytellers, and find inspiration and a sense of community. That’s what SPM is all about.
What’s in Street Photography Magazine?
What can you expect when you subscribe to Street Photography Magazine? Each issue includes a collection of articles covering a variety of topics. Here’s what a normal issue will feature:
- A featured photographer article, showcasing the work of a street or documentary photographer we admire, and highlighting lessons we can all learn from their approach.
- Personal projects from around the globe. We receive hundreds of submissions each year with photo series, projects and essays. We select the most compelling stories and share one or two in each issue.
- How-to articles. This magazine is not gear centric, but we do believe in the power of a good story. You can expect to learn practical tips that will help you be ever ready to capture those “decisive moments,” insightful ways to curate your photos, tricks to hone your storytelling abilities, and once in a while some camera tech tips. (Because let’s be real, we are still photographers, and just a little gear talk is inevitable.)
- Interviews with lesser-known photographers. SPM is dedicated to creating the kind of un-biased space where street photographers can come to discover, learn, and contribute to a vibrant and varied community. This is why, each month, we seek out a talented photographer that is still flying under the radar and introduce them to you.
- Street Shooters of the Month feature. In this regular feature, we publish a selection of eye-catching single images from multiple photographers from all around the world. This feature takes a broad view of the many styles that constitute modern street photography.
Street Photography Magazine isn’t a gear-fest, nor is it a highbrow art show. Simply put, SPM is for photographers who want to learn from other photographers. We hope you find this publication to be a true source of inspiration.
What’s on the SPM Podcast?
The SPM Podcast is a great place to start if you’re dropping by SPM for the first time. It’s completely free and an amazing way to get your creative juices flowing. On it, Bob Patterson and Ashley Riffo interview guest photographers of all ages, genres, and nationalities. The conversations with them encompass their photography, experiences, and perspectives. It’s a refreshing reminder that there is something to learn from everyone. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you listen to podcasts.
There’s a Newsletter Too?
That’s right! This is another free resource that came to life as our community grew. Sign up for our newsletter, “Inside Street Photography,” and you’ll get an email most Fridays that include news, events, musings, our latest podcast releases, stories from guest columnists and more.
FAQs
What is street photography, anyway?
Great question. And one with no single answer. We’re not sticklers for rigid definitions. At its core, street photography is about observing life as it unfolds and finding meaning in everyday moments. We keep an open mind and welcome a wide range of approaches, styles, and interpretations.
Why are there documentary projects in the magazine?
Because Street Photography Magazine is really a journal of street and documentary photography. The lines between the two often blur, and we think that overlap is where some of the most compelling work lives. You can expect a thoughtful mix of both throughout the magazine.
What’s included in a subscription?
A subscription gives you full access to every article in our archive dating back to 2013, plus new articles delivered straight to your inbox every week. No algorithms. No endless scrolling. Just great photography and stories.
Can I give a subscription as a gift?
Absolutely. A Street Photography Magazine subscription is the perfect gift for photography enthusiasts, creatives, and anyone who loves visual storytelling and real human moments from around the world. Here’s the link to snag a gift subscription.
Is this journal political?
Nope. We love how unifying street photography can be. It reminds us of our shared humanity, people being people, everywhere. So, while we do allow contributors the freedom to express their own personal opinions in the articles they author, Street Photography Magazine as a publication is intentionally unbiased and politically neutral.
How can I submit my work to the magazine?
We’d love to see it. Head over to our submissions page, where you can submit single images, full articles, or essays. Submissions are always free.
What if I have a great idea for the magazine?
Tell us! We’re always open to new ideas, collaborations, and story concepts. Email Ashley directly at ashley@streetphotographymagazine.com.
Meet the Team
Ashley Riffo
Publisher & Editor
Ashley Riffo has been the editor of Street Photography Magazine since 2014. In 2026, she became the official publisher of the journal. Her passion for street photography took shape years ago while living in South America. She believes this unique genre is all about making connections with others, whether one takes a completely candid approach or a documentary-style, collaborative approach.
In her free time, you can find her reading, traveling and learning new languages, but mostly, she’ll be chasing her son around outside, always with a camera around her neck, of course.
Bob Patterson
Founder & Podcast Host
Bob Patterson, founder and publisher of Street Photography Magazine, developed his love for photography as a child, inspired by the striking black and white images in Life and Look magazines. After a successful career as an executive in the cable television industry, he launched Street Photography Magazine in 2013. His vision: to create a digital platform where street and documentary photographers could showcase their work and share their perspectives with a global audience.
A respected figure in the street photography community, he has participated in international competitions, events, and festivals. He has served as a judge for several prestigious contests, including the LACP’s Street Week Competition, Siena International Photography Awards, and URBAN Photography Awards. Patterson has also been a featured speaker at the Miami Street Photography Festival and a guest on Ibarionex Perello’s podcast, “The Candid Frame.”
In 2026, Bob stepped away from his role as publisher of Street Photography Magazine to focus on his own creative endeavors.
These days, Bob continues to host the SPM Podcast, and spends his free time documenting everyday life and telling the stories of people in his local community and various travel destinations. His passion for photography is complemented by his dedication to martial arts, love of travel, and insatiable curiosity about the world around him.
Photo by Virginia Hines