January 23, 2025

Court Richards: A World Seen Through the Streets

Court Richards, an Australian-born global nomad, captures the rhythm of the streets with a perspective shaped by a life lived across continents.

Court Richards: A World Seen Through the Streets

From offshore rigs to bustling city streets, Court's street photography offers a bold and unique perspective on the world’s hidden beauty. His journey reveals a keen eye for finding stories in the unexpected.

A Global Nomad’s Tale

Court Richards isn’t your everyday street photographer. Hailing from Australia, he’s spent just as much time abroad as he did growing up Down Under. Court embarked on what was supposed to be a one-year backpacking trip around the world in 2003. Over two decades later, that “one year” has become a lifetime of exploration. Now a proud father of three boys and a seasoned Health and Safety professional in the offshore energy industry, Court splits his time between Gdańsk, Poland, and Paris, France. Life’s twists and turns have shaped his personal and professional journeys—and his street photography.

From Offshore Drills to City Streets

Court’s work in offshore drilling has been a whirlwind of adventure. He has lived and worked in over 40 countries, navigating fast-paced, high-stakes environments alongside teams from more than 20 nationalities. This dynamic career has taught him to adapt quickly—a skill he seamlessly applies to street photography. What began as a way to document his unique experiences has evolved into a true passion. Court’s ability to read situations, blend into environments, and capture captivating moments amid chaos reflects the challenges of his profession. Whether on an oil rig or a bustling city street, Court thrives on unpredictability.

street photography is everything: therapy, adventure, solitude, and connection.

Overcoming Challenges: Time, Confidence, and the Unexpected

Balancing street photography with a full-time job and family life is no small feat. Court credits his wife’s patience for helping him make time to chase the perfect shot, even if it means pausing vacations to photograph a shadow for 30 minutes. Confidence has been a harder battle. Court’s OCD and compulsive thoughts often lead to overthinking and self-doubt. But street photography has taught him to embrace imperfection. Some of his favorite images are those he initially thought were mistakes—proof that storytelling often transcends technical precision.

What Street Photography Means to Court

For Court, street photography is everything: therapy, adventure, solitude, and connection. It’s a way to quiet his mind and lose himself in the rhythm of the streets, often with old-school hip hop playing through his headphones. The lens offers a new perspective, allowing him to find beauty in the everyday.

A Style Shaped by Quirks

While Court struggles to define his style, others recognize it instantly. His OCD draws him to structured compositions—symmetry, reflections, and geometric shapes. A mild color blindness leads him to favor bold primary colors over subtle tones. These quirks have combined to create a style uniquely his own, even if he’s hesitant to claim it.

Don’t let gatekeepers or purists dictate your path. Take what helps you grow, and filter out the rest.

The Best and Worst Moments

Court’s worst moment? Dropping and breaking his camera during a long-awaited New York trip. But the highs far outweigh the lows. Street photography has introduced him to incredible people, led him to hidden corners of cities, and forever changed the way he sees the world.

On Selling Prints and Inspiring Others

Knowing someone has his work displayed in their home humbles Court deeply. His mother remains his biggest fan, her walls adorned with his creations. Selling prints isn’t just a transaction for him; it’s a connection, an honor, and a source of motivation to keep creating. For those starting out in street photography, his advice is simple: just start. Don’t let gatekeepers or purists dictate your path. Take what helps you grow, and filter out the rest. As Court puts it, “Don’t take criticism from someone you wouldn’t go to for advice.”

What’s Next for Court?

Court’s approach to the future is refreshingly laid-back. He focuses on creating images he loves and letting opportunities unfold naturally. While he dreams of exhibitions or seeing his work in homes worldwide, his primary goal is to enjoy the journey—because, for him, photography is as much about the process as the outcome. Street photography isn’t just a hobby for Court Richards; it’s a way of life. His story—from Australia to the far corners of the globe—is one of adventure, resilience, and an unyielding passion for capturing the beauty of the streets.

 

Updated: January 23, 2025

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