Street Photography in Oceanside, California
In October, I traveled to Oceanside for a photography obligation and carved out a full day just for myself in between. I stayed in the cutest little vintage RV Airbnb and spent that free day doing exactly what I needed most, walking, observing, and photographing without a plan.
I took my shoes off and wandered down to the shoreline, sand between my toes, waves rolling in just close enough to feel but not close enough to pull me under. I’ve never been a big-wave person, so I kept my distance, laughing at myself as I hovered near the edge.
With a camera in hand, conversations happened easily. Strangers stopped to chat. Other photographers nodded in passing. There’s something about traveling with a camera, it opens doors, even the quiet ones. If you’ve ever carried one while traveling, you know: you’re rarely alone for long.
That day became a pocket of reflection and solitude. No timelines. No expectations. Just noticing light, movement, and the rhythm of a coastal town moving through its day.
These images are some of my favorites from that time, street photography rooted in presence rather than perfection. Moments found, not made.
If you’re interested in photographing while traveling, I’ve also created a street photography guide that walks through how I approach documenting places this way, with curiosity, intention, and respect for the spaces and people within them. It’s an older resource that I’m currently revisiting, and this project is a good example of how that mindset plays out in real life.
