Ryan Daniel had no prior professional photography experience when he decided to buy his first camera. But within six months of roaming the streets of Portland, Oregon — and with the help of a few online tutorials — Daniel developed a surprisingly unique photographic style: capturing free portraits of strangers. Under the alias Pale Blue Wave , Daniel launched an Instagram account several years ago to share his work with a wider audience.
The 40-year-old grew his following from roughly 100 to more than half-a-million across his social media accounts. Daniel says his photography is rooted in a mission to make people feel truly seen. His thoughtful, conversation-based approach disarms even the most camera-shy individual – from an older dog walker , head-down in a hurry, to a young woman waiting at a bus stop.
His artistic process is refreshingly simple: he wanders the city’s streets, seeking people who spark his curiosity. When he finds someone who catches his eye, he offers them a free, impromptu photoshoot, aiming to spark a brief yet meaningful conversation. The entire encounter is filmed on Daniel’s GoPro, which offers his followers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the moments that inspire his photography.
But what draws Daniel to his subjects is difficult to explain — it’s more of an intuition than a conscious decision. “It’s really a feeling I get..
. there’s definitely things that will draw my attention like certain types of hair or certain types of sty.
