Tim interviews Kieron Beard, a former firefighter turned street photographer based in Switzerland, about his journey into photography and how his previous career has shaped his approach to photographing strangers.

Kieron explains how years of working as a firefighter gave him the confidence to communicate with people in difficult and unpredictable situations—an experience that now helps him approach strangers on the street. He also discusses the challenges of photographing in Geneva, where concerns around privacy mean photographers are more likely to be questioned than in UK cities.

Working exclusively in black and white with a Leica M11 Monochrom and primarily a 35mm lens, Kieron talks about his preference for being physically close to the scene rather than observing from a distance. He explores how black and white removes distractions and, for him, creates a stronger connection to emotion, memory and atmosphere.

The conversation also looks at Kieron’s changing relationship with social media. Moving away from the pursuit of likes and external validation, he is increasingly focused on creating meaningful bodies of work, exploring what lies beneath the surface of everyday street scenes, and using his website, writing and workshops to give his photography greater context.

Kieron also discusses the ethics of street photography, emphasising patience, respect and the importance of never exploiting vulnerable people for commercial gain. He explains why he is always prepared to talk to people about his photographs—and, if necessary, delete an image if someone objects.

A thoughtful conversation about street photography, ethics, confidence, black-and-white photography and finding greater meaning in the work beyond social media.

Kieron Website

Kieron Instagram