Street Life in Latin America | Photo Essay

by Samuel on March 22, 2012

Street Life in Latin America Cover Photo

The following is a photo essay from Dutch travel photographer Sjoerd Booij showcasing street scenes from both Colombia and Brasil.  He’s a talented photographer who offers us a glimpse into the dynamic street life found all over Latin America.  All photos are copyrighted by Sjoerd Booij:

A travel photo of some Schoolgirls in their uniforms in Bogota, Colombia

A travel photo of some Schoolgirls in their uniforms in Bogota, Colombia

Some local men searching for shelter during a rainstorm in Bogota, Colombia

Some local men searching for shelter during a rainstorm in Bogota, Colombia

A police officer walks past a person living on the streets of Bogota, Colombia

A police officer walks past a person living on the streets of Bogota, Colombia

A guy holding an umbrella against the sun in Cartagena, Colombia

A guy holding an umbrella against the sun in Cartagena, Colombia

A worker rest in a construction area in Cartagena, Colombia

A worker rests in a construction area in Cartagena, Colombia

A shoe repairman hones his craft on the streets of Cartagena, Colombia

A shoe repairman hones his craft on the streets of Cartagena, Colombia

An elderly man on the phone in Cartagena, Colombia

An elderly man on the phone in Cartagena, Colombia

Two women begging on the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Two women begging on the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

A guy listening to the radio in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

A guy listening to the radio in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Smoking and socializing on the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Smoking and socializing on the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

The bus driver takes a break in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

The bus driver takes a break in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

An elderly man and his caretaker relaxing outside in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

An elderly man and his caretaker relaxing outside in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Ladies gossiping on the streets of St. Theresa, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Ladies gossiping on the streets of St. Theresa, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Two men working out administrative details on the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Two men working out administrative details on the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Artists working on the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Artists working on the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Salesman standing firm on the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Salesman standing firm on the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Two gentlemen dressed in formal attire talking in Bogota, Colombia

Two gentlemen dressed in formal attire talking in Bogota, Colombia

Old man walking in Bogota, Colombia

Old man walking in Bogota, Colombia

Woman walking in Cartagena, Colombia

Woman walking in Cartagena, Colombia

Old man sleeping on the streets of Cartagena, Colombia

Old man sleeping on the streets of Cartagena, Colombia

Salesman on the streets of Cartagena, Colombia

Salesman on the streets of Cartagena, Colombia

Selling fruits on the streets of Cartagena, Colombia

Selling fruits on the streets of Cartagena, Colombia

Making a cheap phonecall on the streets of Cartagena, Colombia

Making a cheap phonecall on the streets of Cartagena, Colombia

The clash of cultures on the streets of Cartagena, Colombia

The clash of cultures on the streets of Cartagena, Colombia

Salesman working on the streets of Cartagena, Colombia

Salesman working on the streets of Cartagena, Colombia

Name: Sjoerd Booij
Born: Leidschendam, The Netherlands
Currently living in: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Choice of camera: Nikon
Types of photography: Wedding, Lifestyle, Travel
My name is Sjoerd Booij and I am a top travel Dutch photograher, based in Amsterdam. I started photography about five years ago when I went on a six month trip to Chile and Argentina. At first it was just to document my trip, but I soon discovered my passion for more than just a snapshot here and there. When returning to the Netherlands it took me a couple of years to fully grasp the meaning of this new passion and only a year ago I decided I wanted to do this full time. I now shoot weddings mostly and try to incorporate a candid feel in what I shoot. My true passion lies with travel photography. It has something unique to be able to connect to people around the world and document their lives while documenting my own.
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{ 43 comments… read them below or add one }

Payje March 22, 2012 at 10:07 pm

These are incredible portraits. Absolutely incredible. They really give the feeling that you get walking down the street in South America. Thanks for sharing this!
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Nomadic Samuel March 27, 2012 at 6:00 am

You’re welcome Payje! I really appreciate Sjoerd sharing them here for us all :)
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Natasha @ Wandering Kiwi March 22, 2012 at 11:04 pm

Wow awesome stuff – not pretty just REAL!

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Nomadic Samuel March 27, 2012 at 6:01 am

I like how he captured the gritty aspects of street life found in Latin America.
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Don Faust March 22, 2012 at 11:33 pm

Nice photos! I love all the grungy colored stucco buildings and vibrant colors.
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Nomadic Samuel March 27, 2012 at 6:08 am

Thanks Don, having travelled in Latin America I feel the stucco buildings and vibrant colours are very much a part of the experience of what it is like to be pounding the pavement.
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The Time-Crunched Traveler (Ellen) March 23, 2012 at 1:05 am

Great photos — such vivid images really capture the emotion of a place. I’ve always wanted to go to Colombia. Hopefully some day!
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Nomadic Samuel March 27, 2012 at 6:09 am

I’ve also travelled in South America but I’ve yet to visit Colombia. I’ve been hearing great things though and I know it is just a matter of time before I set foot there.
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Cathy Sweeney March 23, 2012 at 2:37 am

I could spend hours thinking about the stories that these photos tell and filling in the gaps with my imagination. Well done!
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Nomadic Samuel March 27, 2012 at 6:10 am

Thanks Cathy, I also agree with you that Sjoerd tells a great story with these photos.
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Sjoerd Booij March 23, 2012 at 8:18 am

I’dd like to thank Samuel for giving me a platform to showcase some of the photos I was able to take during my travel through South and Central America. Thanks all for the kind words!

Sjoerd
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Nomadic Samuel March 27, 2012 at 6:10 am

You’re very welcome! Thank you for sharing them here :)
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Laurence March 23, 2012 at 9:09 am

Fantastic shots. I particularly love the one of old the guy walking along :)
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Nomadic Samuel March 27, 2012 at 6:11 am

That’s one of my favs as well :)
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Jacinta March 23, 2012 at 9:09 am

Some great ´gritty authentic shots`…… Excellent !!!

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Nomadic Samuel March 27, 2012 at 6:11 am

Thanks Jacinta :) I’m impressed with how Sjoerd captured the streets.
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Tushar March 23, 2012 at 1:17 pm

Excellent photographs. Thanks for sharing. If I am correct the shades and contrast is excellent. I too learning photography skills while on tour.

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Nomadic Samuel March 27, 2012 at 6:12 am

Indeed, Sjoerd did an excellent job with the highlights and shadows.
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Bob R March 23, 2012 at 6:57 pm

Some REALLY great stuff, many thanks for posting.
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Nomadic Samuel March 27, 2012 at 6:13 am

Thanks Bob! Glad you enjoyed it :)
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Reena Ganga March 23, 2012 at 7:26 pm

Wonderful photos – I love seeing the locals and their way of life captured in pictures – so much better than a bunch of buildings!
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Nomadic Samuel March 27, 2012 at 6:15 am

Thanks Reena, I completely agree with. I enjoy street photography more than any other genre.
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Alison March 23, 2012 at 9:18 pm

Your photos are always great, but these are my favourite so far. The one of that old guy walking with the umbrella, and the lady selling fruit are fantastic!! :-)
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Nomadic Samuel March 27, 2012 at 6:19 am

Thanks Alison :)
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Laura March 23, 2012 at 10:50 pm

Wonderful pics of the great street life. Thank you.
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Nomadic Samuel March 27, 2012 at 6:20 am

Thanks Laura! Glad you enjoyed them :)
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Andi of My Beautiful Adventures March 24, 2012 at 12:49 am

These pictures are PHENOMENAL!!!!!

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Nomadic Samuel March 27, 2012 at 6:20 am

Thanks Andi! I’ll be sure to pass that along to Sjoerd :)
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Someday I'll Be There - Mina March 25, 2012 at 12:26 pm

Truly amazing, and clashes of the cultures shows in many pictures which is something i am really interested in! i really like those photos :)
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Nomadic Samuel March 27, 2012 at 6:21 am

Thanks Mina, I like how raw and authentic this photo essay is when stripped down to the minimum.
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Samual@Orlando airport transport March 26, 2012 at 7:48 am

That are just awesome, nothing artificial and just real expressions. How they are looking at you, wonderful shots.

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Nomadic Samuel March 27, 2012 at 6:21 am

Thanks Samual, I agree with you that Sjoerd’s photo essay is very real and authentic :)
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@wftristan March 28, 2012 at 8:23 am

Some great shots here – Street Photography is a real favourite of mine I love the shot of the two Gents in Formal attire – makes me want to know what they are talking about.

great stuff

Tristan
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Nomadic Samuel April 1, 2012 at 11:41 am

Thanks Tristan :)

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zara March 31, 2012 at 4:06 pm

Very good clicks! Simple and down-to-earth… they do give an insight of what people’s lives are like. Raw and to the point. Insipiring! :)
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Nomadic Samuel April 1, 2012 at 11:09 am

Thanks, I love how ‘raw’ it is :)

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Noel April 1, 2012 at 9:21 am

I love Latin America (after living there for 2.5 years). I just love these photos, they captured the essence and colour of life there. Amazing! I can’t get enough. Thanks for sharing.
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Nomadic Samuel April 1, 2012 at 11:00 am

Thanks Noel,

It must have been amazing to have lived there for 2.5 years :)

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Normand Boulanger April 19, 2012 at 10:44 am

Love the pictures, great shots. Thanks for sharing.
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Nomadic Samuel April 26, 2012 at 4:55 am

Thank you for checking them out :)

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cheryl April 27, 2012 at 6:34 am

Beautiful photos! Makes me miss South America so much …. love how every day life is captured so perfectly here!
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Steve August 24, 2012 at 4:05 pm

Amazing Shots Man! I LOVE the one of the “salesman”!

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Munni Chaudhary November 28, 2012 at 8:18 am

I’ve seen your these photographs. These are really saying true story of new world. There is nothing artificial, all are natural. I like these real story. Many many thanks.

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