The 8 Best Street Photographers in St. Louis, MO

Curious to see the work of some of the best St. Louis street photographers? As The Gateway to the West, St. Louis gets more than its fair share of tourists and passersby. All of them have camera phones or dedicated cameras to capture the Arch and other scenic locations. But it’s the local creatives who best tell the story of the city.

Each of these top St. Louis street photographers shares a perspective that’s uniquely theirs and informed by their perspective as locals of the area. From urban decay to street portraiture, this genre has a lot to offer art lovers!

1. Jerry Tovo

The street photography Jerry Tovo is inspired by his own time spent serving in the U.S. armed forces. A former drill sergeant turned photographer, his images humanize the homeless veteran community. The U.S. government estimates that over 40,000 are living on the street at the moment. Jerry’s project is titled In the Faces of Patriotism: The Homeless Veterans Project and was on display at the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum earlier this year.

Jerry’s portraits are detail-rich and mostly monochrome, allowing color to fade and lending power to the lines, scars, and expressions of his subjects. It invites you to consider how you would feel, were you to switch places with his subjects.

2. Larry Bommarito of Sekondtry

Urban architecture and its connection to the people who inhabit them are the focus of Larry Bommarito. As a St. Louis street photographer, he aims to enlighten locals about the many different facets of this town. Neighborhoods, both good and “bad,” find their place in his feed and portfolio as hotspots of culture and emotion. His work explores racial divides, urban decay, street portraiture, all of the facets that make up The Lou!

Larry’s photography highlights not just the beauty of St. Louis, however, but also other American cultural wonders, including Nashville and New Orleans. He also works in international hotspots like Mexico City and Shanghai. Check out his work on his Instagram and website!

3. Jason Gray

Few St. Louis street photographers are as diverse in scope as Jason Gray. His work explores everything from fleeting compositional wonders of trash to St. Louis historic buildings with deep histories. Street portraits and locations both well-known and well hidden all find their place in his portfolio.

Jason’s images have been displayed in many areas, including St. Louis Lambert International Airport and Gallery 210, the University of Missouri at St. Louis. His photography is a constant exploration of his relationship with the city as well as his never-ending curiosity and eye for beauty.

4. James Wright

The visual art of James Wright is truly second to none. He shares the streets of St. Louis with us through an architectural focus. The world James sees is one that’s dark and moody with deep shadows, stark branches, and subdued colors all creating a mysterious mood. Any people in the frame are small, minimizing their importance beside the soaring buildings and arches of the city.

We especially love his nighttime street photography. St. Louis transforms into a world of point light sources, darkness, and urban splendor. The perfect place to turn a corner and discover a fresh new perspective!

5. Ryan LaRose

Ryan LaRose is a St. Louis street photographer and TikTok creator who presents us with an interesting angle on the genre. He shoots street portraits; approaching everyday subjects rather than models or celebrities. His work represents the extraordinary in the ordinary person.

In our view, Ryan’s preference for black and white over color enhances the appeal of his portraits. Each one focuses on the connection that’s made through the expressiveness and eyes of his subjects. The single encounter that each one offers also allows our imaginations to run wild. Where were Ryan’s subjects going when he stopped them? Why did he choose these particular men or women? These instants forever frozen through photography offer endless scope for contemplation!

6. CB Adams

St. Louis street photographer and writer CB Adams is a well-known presence at exhibitions throughout the Midwest, including Art Through the Lens at the Yeiser Art Center and the Plastic Camera Show at the Kansas City Stockyards Gallery! He has also been published in Midwest Review, Elder Mountain: A Journal of Ozarks Studies, and Genre Urban Arts 7, just to name a few.

His work includes portraits of local subjects immersed in storytelling environments. As well as buildings, signs, and other St. Louis scenes that encapsulate the feel of the city through deceptively simple compositions. CB Adams’ images question ideals we hold about American culture, showcase urban decay, and celebrate form and texture through monochrome photography.

7. Errol Hosea King

The street photography of Errol Hosea King is in vibrant color; a delightful contrast to the classic monochrome favored by many others in this genre. His vision is an intimate one, where street portraits are captured at a close distance.

Errol doesn’t allow his subjects to feel lost in the backdrop of St. Louis, either. We feel like passersby within the frame, with interaction a constant possibility. Tourists, locals, passers through…All of them are potential targets for Errol’s street portraits.

8. Willie James Gates

As a self-taught photographer, Willie James Gates learned his art through passion and dedication. This absolutely shows when you browse his work. His images are a feast for the eyes of St. Louis residents. Willie often includes layers, where different well-known architectural pieces contribute to a new perspective on the city.

He prefers a vintage film look in his images, where colors remain subtle and grain is present. Willie also shoots in a contrast-rich monochrome, heightening our enjoyment of shadows, textures, and highlights. He brings his camera everywhere, even into barber shops where we get a sense of the mood and people behind the brand. In short: everything that makes St. Louis what it is!

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